Caste Based Exclusion in Odisha: a Psycho-Social Perspective

Odisha (Previously Orissa) has a very high concentration of the socially excluded and marginalized groups of the scheduled tribes (Adiwasis) and the scheduled castes (Harijans). Social discrimination, in the context of an underdeveloped state like Orissa, is an everyday life experience of these social groups and is evident from such practices as denial of access to public places, services and utilities. In this context the author discusses about identity, stigma and exclusion. Moreover, the author emphasizes in this paper upon psychological consequences of social exclusion. As remedial initiatives, he advocates for recategorisation and explains how it can help in eliminating inter-group exclusion.