Social Inclusion
Challenging Caste, Building an Inclusive Future
Caste-based discrimination continues to shape education, employment, and everyday life in ways that are often invisible yet deeply entrenched. While issues of gender and sexuality have found space in inclusion agendas, caste oppression remains an uncomfortable and overlooked reality—especially for young people from Dalit, Bahujan, Adivasi, and other marginalized communities.
Despite constitutional safeguards, access to quality education, fair opportunities, and safe spaces remains a struggle.
The question of ‘merit’ and hostility towards reservations create exclusionary environments in higher education and workplaces, leading to devastating consequences. Tragic incidents like the suicides of Rohith Vemula (2016) and Payal Tadvi (2019) highlight the ongoing discrimination, humiliation, and systemic barriers young people from oppressed communities continue to face.
Our Approach to Social Inclusion
At Samvada, we believe that challenging caste injustice begins with awareness, critical dialogue, and collective action. We equip young people to recognize and dismantle caste-based inequalities while fostering leadership for an inclusive society.
Inclusion Nota: Understanding Caste and Social Exclusion
Through Inclusion Nota, an intensive 3–5 day workshop, young people critically examine:
How caste and class shape opportunities and access in society.
How historical and systemic exclusion continues today.
How we unknowingly participate in and reinforce caste discrimination.
This process helps young people cultivate sensitivity, allyship, and the commitment to social justice in their personal and professional lives.
Representation in Higher Education
At Baduku – Centre for Livelihoods Learning, we actively prioritize students from marginalized communities by:
Designing inclusive admission criteria to increase access.
Embedding anti-caste perspectives in course curricula.
Conducting outreach programs to support underrepresented youth.
Festivals: Celebrating Dalit Art and Culture
Representation matters. Our Dalit Art Festival provided a platform for Dalit artists to showcase their work and reclaim their narratives. Such events challenge dominant social narratives while fostering pride, visibility, and cultural affirmation.