Land, Labour and Market: Exclusion of Dalits in Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Social exclusion has been identified as an obstacle for Dalits in every sphere of society, which deprives them of access to resources. It has multiple forms which exclude Dalits from labour market and which creates adverse impact on their means of living. This article provides a theoretical and empirical perspective on the study of caste-based discrimination in the sphere of resource accessibility and consumer market discrimination. It sets the stage for addressing some of the key questions surrounding discrimination in consumer market and labour market, by highlighting the ways in which the caste system persists through various forms of discrimination. It specifically looks into the plight of discrimination in various labour markets in terms of access to employment, wages and employer behaviour at workplace. It also examines the consequences of discrimination in labour market on Dalits, that is, labouring class and caste relation in the local market. The article, in its essence, contextualizes from literature and empirical evidences collected from the field.