Inequality and Exclusion Based on Caste in Relief and Rehabilitation after Flood in Bihar

Abstract

Caste system is an important feature of Indian society. Even in the perilous condition of livelihood after flood, the concept of purity and pollution is not negligible. Government's oblivious attitude to provide relief funds in nonchalant manner without mapping the need of victim and the pre-existing discrimination based on caste has led to ‘caste blindness’ during the rehabilitation phase by the agencies. Therefore, this study unearths discrimination based on caste and marginalisation of the Mahadalit during the relief and rehabilitation phase. This study is based on a sample of randomly drawn 472 households from the river basins of Ganga and Kosi in the district of Bhagalpur, Bihar. The method used was multivariate analysis of variance to analyse and interpret the discrimination faced by lower castes in the hands of upper caste and donor agencies after flood in Bihar. The method of focus group discussion was applied to know about the suppression of Mahadalit during rehabilitation. The result shows that scheduled caste are deprived of equal relief material and fund. They are discriminated and suppressed in rehabilitation phase even by donor agencies, which is dominated by upper caste. The study suggests that a commission may be established to interrogate about the need of lower-caste victim and avoid any discrimination on the ground of caste divide.