The sad demise of Selvi, a pregnant woman from the Scheduled Caste (SC) community, exposes the ongoing and deeply embedded systemic barriers faced by marginalized communities in India, even after nearly 80 years of real independence. Although constitutional measures and government initiatives are intended to uplift these communities, the everyday reality reflects a stark contrast. Selvi’s tragic demise is not an isolated event but a painful reflection of the systemic neglect, lack of awareness, and apathy that Scheduled Castes continue to endure in their struggle for basic rights and freedom.
This incident serves as a painful reminder of the gap between policy promises and their implementation, highlighting the urgent need for systemic reforms, greater accountability, and a renewed commitment to ensuring equality and justice for all. If these kinds of issues remain unaddressed, marginalized communities will remain trapped in cycles of poverty, exclusion, and vulnerability, far from the democratic and society in the Constitution Context of the Incident
Background and Source of living:
- Selvi and her husband, Ramesh, belonged to the Scheduled Caste community, A group that has long been Bias and neglect to the margins of Indian society. They lived in Keelkathirpoovur village in Tiruvannamalai district, Tamil Nadu. Along with their relatives, six families (over 20 people) Inhabited temporary shelters, working as daily wage workers cutting trees. Their living conditions were unstable, lacking basic necessities such as proper housing, sanitation, or healthcare.
- Selvi’s families earned their livelihood by cutting Seema Karuvelam trees in Thirupilivanam village, close to Uthiramerur in Kanchipuram district. They stayed in temporary tents close to the worksite, showcasing their Unsettled way of life and economic hardship Their work was exhausting and hazardous, yet they were without job security or assistance from government welfare programs.
2. The Tragic Event
After a long day of work on February 24th, the families consumed alcohol and slept. In the early hours of February 25th, Selvi, pregnant at the time, began experiencing labour pains. Her relatives got alerted by her cries, assisted in the delivery. Selvi’s life ended tragically due to postpartum hemorrhage. The newborn was rescued and taken to a government hospital, but Selvi’s death could have been averted with prompt medical attention.
Systemic Failures
Lack of Awareness
- Selvi’s family, despite being near a primary health centre, lacked awareness of healthcare services like the 108 ambulance or Pregnancy checkups
- Lack of government efforts to raise awareness among marginalized groups about available services, which is available mainly available pregnancy methods.
Neglect by Authorities
- No investigation was conducted into Selvi’s death, her body was laid to rest without a postmortem.
- Authorities remained unresponsive, revealing systemic neglect and a failure to take responsibility.
Inaccessibility of Healthcare
- Despite the availability of advanced medical treatments but remain inaccessible due to poverty, lack of awareness, and systemic barriers.
- Poor healthcare infrastructure in rural areas creates additional complications
Living Conditions
- Selvi’s family lived in temporary tents with no basic facilities.
- Government housing and sanitation schemes often fail to reach marginalized communities.
- Selvi’s story is not an isolated case but a reflection of systemic failures that perpetuate inequality and injustice. The lack of access to basic facilities and government support highlights the urgent need.
Remedies:
To address the systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities is essential. Mainly, conduct awareness campaigns to educate communities about healthcare services like the 108 ambulance and pregnancy checkups, using local languages and community leaders for effective outreach. Then, improve healthcare access by expanding rural infrastructure, ensuring affordable treatments, and providing free prenatal and postnatal care for underserved women. Followed by, ensuring basic living conditions by guaranteeing that housing and sanitation schemes reach marginalized groups and regularly evaluating welfare programs. At last, empower communities through education, skill development, and inclusion in local decision-making to break poverty cycles and address their needs effectively. This comprehensive approach can help bridge gaps and ensure dignity and rights for all.
Conclusion Selvi’s death is a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Scheduled Caste communities in India. It highlights the urgent need for systemic reforms, awareness campaigns, and accountability in governance to ensure that marginalized communities can live with dignity and access their basic rights. The incident calls for collective action from the government, civil society, and citizens to address the deep-rooted inequalities and injustices faced by these communities. Until then, tragedies like Selvi’s will continue to occur, reflecting the failure of the system to uphold the principles of democracy and equality.