Best practices on reducing social exclusion of children from marginalized communities in Kashmir

Social exclusion is a multidimensional practice of progressive social shatter, flaking groups and individuals from social associations and institutions and preventing them from complete involvement in the normal, normatively approved activities of the society in which they live. The result of manifold deprivations that thwart individuals or groups (especially children) from participating fully in the economic, social, and political life of the society restricts their normal development and growth. Social exclusion is predominant and subterranean in India and the list of groups experiencing some form of social exclusion is colossal, but most recurrently it is the children of Dalits and Scheduled Tribes who bear the burden of this nuisance. They are dispossessed of admittance to public services such as education and health care. Despite constitutional provisions, safeguarding their interests their plight continues to be appalling. In addition, the distressing condition is escalating with every passing day. Even though the state of Jammu and Kashmir has a diminutive or more appropriately no presence of Dalits but the degree of social exclusion among the susceptible groups is no less compared to other Indian states. The long-term conflict in the state has also led to the exclusion of children from participating in the mainstream society. Social exclusion in Kashmir is prevalent most among the vulnerable children from communities like Schedule Tribes (Gujjars, Paharis) Social Castes like manual scavengers (arams) and sweepers (watals), boatmen (hanjis) etc. Orphans, girl child, linguistic minorities, the most backward castes are also included in this group. The rationale of this paper is to accentuate the practices to be followed to reduce the social exclusion of children in Kashmir and to formulate a set of recommendations to address the problem of social exclusion. The present study was carried out primarily by consulting secondary data.