Name: Sonali Gupta, Niranjna Bhandari
Country: India

Year: 2026
Volume: Vol-11, No.2, July-Dec-2026
Page Number: 183- 186
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22269374

ABSTRACT
The Valmiki community, primarily associated with the Dalit caste, has historically been marginalized from the mainstream societal structures in India. In the Jammu region, this community represents the most marginalized social groups in various social, economic, and political spheres due to the presence of Article 370 and 35A which gives special status and citizenship rights to the permanent residents of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. This study aims to explore the systematic exclusion of the Valmikis who migrated from Punjab region to Jammu in 1957 and were confined to sanitation work only. Through qualitative research, including interviews with 50 members of the Valmiki community, the study uncovers the lived experiences of marginalization and other issues and problems faced by them in Jammu. It also explores the implications of this marginalization for social cohesion and regional development. The study highlights the need for policies that ensure equitable access to resources and opportunities for the Valmiki community and urges the state and civil society to address the deep-rooted prejudices and barriers, ensuring that the Valmiki community no longer remains beyond the margins of society.

Keywords: Valmiki Community, Marginalization, Sanitation, Discrimination, Dalit, Jammu