Contours of State Induced Social Exclusion:

Case Study of Valmiki Colony in Jammu

Mohd Manshoor Ahmed, Shallu

Department of Social Work

Central University of Jammu
 Background
1. In 1957 sanitation workers in Jammu city were on strike and city strike and city started
crumbling on its own waste.
2. Before situation get worse, government transported 35 Valmiki families from neighbouring
state of Punjab with an enticement of livelihood, housing and electricity.
3. Six decades later number of families increased many folds and with the onset of third
generation Valmiki families are now disgruntled by this decoy.
4. With the special status to Jammu and Kashmir, state has certain specific provision which
segregate this community from others on pretext of the State itself when it says that
Valmiki can only be employed as Sanitation Worker.
To Understand the community we
studied the following concepts
o Social Stratification
o Power
o Government
o Gender
 Methodology
This paper did a situational analysis of this grave injustice and its social ramifications
within the community
1. Through direct observations,
2. In-depth interviews
3. Focus group discussions and
4. Various Participatory Rural Appraisal(PRA) tools.
A. Social and Resource Mapping
B. Gender Mobility
C. Women Autonomy
D. Gender timeline
E. Need Assessment
Through direct observations,
In-depth interviews and
Focus group discussions

A. From direct observation we understand entire problems of the community

1.Unemployment and limited livelihood opportunities.
2. Lack of services delivery within the community
B. In-depth interview
1. We know about background of the community
2. Community members addressing various issues in detailed like not having Permanent
Resident Certificate.
3. Caste and Identity crises, exploitation, discrimination from State Government and
residing communities.
C. Focus Group Discussion
1. Youth were blaming state government
2. Bigger problems addressed by youth PRC issue, drugs and unemployment and
limited livelihood opportunities demotivated the youth from education.
3. Youth explain solution of drugs problem that Games can eradicate this problem.
 Results of the PRA tools

1. Gender Mobility Mapping

A. For Job women can go anywhere but without any purpose they can not
go outside the community.
B. Male can go anywhere.
2. Autonomy Assessment tool
A. Women have less autonomy to take decisions within the family as to compare to
husband and others(Patriarchy).
 Network Mapping
Needs Governance Resources Economy
Sun light *** Police *** Anganwadi* Money **

Hygienic*** Roads* Temple*** Job***

Water** Municipal* School ***

Air* Community Pradhan* Peace ***

Food ** Transportation *

Hospital***
Shelter *

4. Network Analysis
 SWOT analysis of Valmiki colony
Strength
 Strength of Social Network
(Enriched Social Capital)
 Potential with the community
 Youth as resources
Opportunities
 Engagement of Youth in
Recreational Activities
 Skill Building for Livelihood
(Establishing Institutional and
Industry Linkages)
 Microfinance through Self Help
Group
Weakness
 Drugs
 Peer Pressure
 Lack of Formal Education
 Limited Professional Skill Set
Threats
 Neglect by State (Citizenship,
Resources, Services)
 Limited opportunities of
livelihood (Sanitation Work)
 Displacement (Ownership of
Land)
 Engagement with youth

• Understood their aspirations to excel in life

• Engagement of youth in team building activities through sports:
• Cricket
• Volleyball
• Sport Matched has been organized in the field during Saturday
and Sunday and Received good response from the youth.
 Challenges in the field

• Abusive language by youth

• Conflict over resources (i.e. playground) between Valmiki
Hindu and Christian
 Conclusion

• Over all the youth of the Valmiki community have capability to do

much in education, games and for community development but
they are feeling insecure and threatened from state government.
• Institutional Linkages for skill building can give positive results.
• State defies basic principle of social justice.
• Social exclusion.