India's bonded labourers are caught between an entrenched caste system and a dismissive state. Analyse.

1. BONDED LABOUR - ENTRENCHED CASTE

Culturologists trace origin of Present day Bonded labour to JAJMANI System which was supposed to be a two way exchange of services.

JAJMANI System ----> BEGAR Increasing exploitation

The basic premise of "Bonded Labour" lies in ritualistic superiority of JAJMANS and inferiority of KAMENS.

This has been substantiated by Bonded labour who have been liberated belong to Dalits and Scheduled Tribes.

[Structural-Marxist] scholars however counter this view stating Bonded labour are "Bourgeoisie's way of exploiting CASTE" for free work.

Sub altain scholars such as [Sharmila Rege] highlight Bonded Labour as more than product of oppressive caste system, but also patriarchy.

For example, Bonded Labour have been classified:

Women as sexual worker Widows Children Others ------------------------------------------------> SYMBOLS OF PATRIARCHY

BONDED LABOUR - DISMISSIVE STATE

[Justice Bhagwati] highlighted "Bonded labour" as worst form of sub-human treatment to equal lives.

Despite State's vision, Bonded labour continuous persistence reflects on State's failure in policy design & implementation.

•) Firstly, definition of BONDED Forced Labour has various regional differences. For example, Sivakasi's matchmaking factory provides housing to its otherwise bonded labour.

•) Secondly, [Veena Das] highlights how bonded labour is predominantly females left at various destitute stage - raped women, widows, divorced, sold for money.

•) Thirdly, policy focuses on State's Bureaucracy to supervise & inspect. When in reality, there is for a need to mobilise civil society.

•) Fourthly, court case pendency, has increased laxity on ground level, reinforcing bonded labour.