Dalit woman leads fellow caste villagers to land ownership in Punjab

When I moved to Gharachon after my marriage, I had to work on the farms of higher-caste landowners to support my family. I recall a time when Dalits were reprimanded and made to feel landless while gathering green fodder for their cattle from the fields of the wealthy. In Punjab, where agriculture is the primary occupation, women from economically disadvantaged families often have no choice but to engage in laborious farm work. Illiteracy and lack of opportunities leave us with few alternatives.

When I learned about 48 acres of community land being reserved for the Dalit community in my village, I spearheaded a struggle to claim our rights. A 1961 Punjab government law mandates that one-third of panchayat land be given to the Scheduled Caste communities through public bidding. But Dalits were seldom allowed to participate in the auctions.

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I and my fellow labourers demanded our rightful share, but we were met with ridicule. The struggle was arduous, involving police beatings and sustained resistance. 

In 2018, we succeeded. I led a group of families to successfully bid for the reserved land in the presence of government officials. It was a big achievement for us. We can say with honour that we have our own land. Since then, more families have joined us, engaging in joint farming and improving their economic and social lives. I never dreamt that we too would enjoy freedom, we would have our own land, and we would be able to buy our own tractor and would work on our farms. 

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Today, approximately 100 Dalit families collectively farm this land, with a 21-member committee, including women, committee overseeing cultivation and distribution. I am a part of this committee, which collects Rs 10,000 from each family. Income from the kharif crop is returned to the workers after deducting expenses, while the rabi crop income is shared equally among all families. 

Each family receives around five quintals of wheat and straw, and green fodder is provided to those with cattle. The committee also keeps detailed records of all agricultural activities, with us women handling most of this work.

Now, we are not afraid that these farms belong to someone else or that we would be asked to leave from here.

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Our newfound freedom has had a profound impact on our daily lives. Our children sleep on time now. Otherwise, when we used to do menial labour, we would not be able to sit and eat with our family. The ability to provide for their families without dependence on others has been transformative. We women of the Dalit community, once veiled before upper-caste men, now confidently stand for land bidding in their presence. This shift is the result of a long struggle by labour organisations, which has raised awareness among both men and women in the community. 

Where Dalits once cultivated only one percent of the land reserved for them, this figure has considerably increased. The successful struggle of Gharachon’s villagers has had a cascading effect. In many Sangrur villages, Dalit women are now cultivating their share of this land.

Men and women of the Dalit community have been given full rights to participate in the bidding. It is a good thing that the villagers are becoming aware. The women of the village are also becoming aware of this.

My story is a powerful reminder of the potential for change within deeply entrenched caste divisions. By reclaiming our land, we Dalit women in Punjab are transforming our own lives and challenging the deeply rooted caste system.

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