Discrimination of Marginalized Sections in Kashmir: A Never-Ending Legacy (1846 Onwards)

Abstract

Society undergoes changes with passage of time due to internal and external factors. However, more radical nature of changes takes place due to external factors. Such changes prompt social reorganization. Kashmiri culture and society is no exception to this rule where penetration of different exogenous influence has led to the process of active assimilation, re-orientation and accommodation of over-all socio-cultural setup. In diverse societies inhabitants are differentiated on the basis of colour, caste, creed, etc. In the same way the inhabitants of the Kashmir valley are stratified and include many marginalized communities such as Watals, Dombs, Galwans, Dhobis, Hanjis, etc. These marginalized communities are assigned the lowest position in Kashmiri society only because of their profession and caste. Although the dominant religion of masses in Kashmir is Islam but actually it was only in sixteenth century that Islam replaced Hinduism in Kashmir. Islam preaches equality and universal brotherhood, and it negates distinction of its followers based on any ground. Thus with the advent of Islam in the valley it can be expected that the above mentioned distinctions would be diminished. But that is not the case. Even after adopting Islam the caste restrictions of Hinduism, which was prevalent before the inception of Islam, remained deeply rooted in the minds of Kashmiris. Those who were at the top of the hierarchy still corner all the privileges for them and the weaker sections are deprived and marginalized. This article attempts to highlight this discrimination, which is visible in Kashmir’s contemporary society as well.