What seems to be concerning here is that the national share owned by the SCs in 2005 is the same as it was in 1990. Gujarat is one example of this.

However, Devesh Kapur’s research has shown that 22 percent and 45 percent of the the families in Azamgarh and Bulandshahr have owned TV sets since 2007 compared to negligible numbers in 1990. While 40 percent removed carcasses in 1990, only 2.4 did the same in 2007. Kapur’s research has also explained that ‘migration has been a powerful engine for dalit empowerment’ which has also brought in cash to dalit households.

With respect to jobs, merit was a sole consideration for companies, according to interviews conducted by Jodhka with 25 human resource managers. Yet every manager said that family background and qualifications of parents was yet another consideration for hiring candidates.

But on the whole if dalits have fared well, it would be because of their success, primarily a belief in oneself to climb the ladder.

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