SOCIAL EXCLUSION, DISCRIMINATION AND ATROCITIES ON SCHEDULED CASTES IN INDIA: THE WORRYING SPOTS AND FUTURE CHALLENGES 1 Rajendra P. Mamgain* The paper examines nature, forms and consequences of social exclusion in the Indian society. It argues how social exclusion resulted in low development outcomes for SCs as compared to other social groups even having comprehensive constitutional safeguards. The paper attempts to analyse the underlying causes of atrocities on SCs in the framework of social exclusion, discrimination, vulnerability and rising assertiveness among SCs about their rights and dignity. It argues for new thinking and related actions altogether which could accelerate economic well-being of SCs at a faster pace, embolden the social reforms and intensiies cultural movements to change societal mindsets. This would necessitate to revisit the existing acts, programmes of empowerment and their guidelines, monitoring mechanisms, training and sensitisation programmes, and make necessary measures to effective programme delivery at a faster pace. SOCIAL EXCLUSION AND DISCRIMINATION - THE INDIAN CONTEXT The issues of exclusion and discrimination assume special importance in the Indian context wherein Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), who together constitute nearly one- fourth of the Indian population, have traditionally suffered from social exclusion. While these population groups are numerically important, they continuously lag behind the other social groups in various social, economic and political indicators of development (Mamgain, 2013). Their progress in terms of attaining higher levels of development is much slower than that of other social groups, particularly other caste Hindus and religious minorities except Muslims. Much of the differences in development outcomes on several indicators for SCs as compared to other social groups are seen in the historical disadvantage of SCs affected by the caste system. The oraganisational scheme of the caste system is based on division of people in social groups (or castes) in which the occupations and property rights of each individual caste are predetermined by birth and hereditary. The assignment or division of occupations and property rights across castes is unequal and hierarchical. Some occupations are considered socially inferior (or polluting) with low social status for those engaged in them. The caste system based economy is maintained or enforced through the instruments of social ostracism (a system of social and economic penalties) with justiication and support from philosophical elements in Hindu religion (Ambedkar, 1936, 1987; Akerl of, 1976; Lal, 1988). Though such caste system has diluted over the years with the constitutional safeguards after the Independence, SCs still face social exclusion and discrimination in their daily lives. Their voices for their rights, entitlements, dignity and justice are frequently suppressed with atrocities on them by other caste groups. This happens so even after the comprehensive constitutional safeguards and laws enacted over the years for the protection and development of SCs as well as STs. * Professor, Giri Institute of Development Studies, Lucknow, Email: mamgain.rp@gmail.com 1. This is a revised paper presented in a seminar on “Segregation and Atrocities on Scheduled Caste in India”, organised by National Institute of Rural Development, Hyderabad, 11-12 July 2014. The author is grateful to seminar participants for giving their valuable comments on the earlier draft of the paper. However, usual disclaimers apply. ISSN 0973 - 886X Journal of Economic & Social Development, Vol. - X, No. 1, July, 2014