Politics of poverty
- New Delhi Chetana Pub. 1977
- 107 p.
Bonded labour is an unfortunate and painful relic of our feudal past. Although feudalism itself was destroyed, first with the abolition of landlordship and, second, with the elimination of the princely order, bonded labour existed in many forms in different parts of India including Bihar. Bonded labour forms part of a system. In olden days it was functional to the village economy and to the norms and values of the then society. From time to time, attempts have been made to abolish this system in the various parts of the country but it has not been possible to completely eradicate this anachronism in our democratic and egalitarian society.
Dr Lal's study shows the deep roots of the system in the socio-economic order of the village. The bonded labourer is invariably an indigent and illiterate person belonging, by and large, to the scheduled castes. He is not only subject to economic exploitation of the worst degree but also to social degradation. The system is such that neither he nor his children have ever any opportunity to shake off the shackles of serfdom.
There is absolutely no chance for self-improvement or for acquisition of knowledge or skills which might provide him alternative employment in case he likes to flee.