UNITED KINGDOM-Blacks Defend Themselves


bad with private credit being used as an effective lever for their exploitation. The panchayat raj system sharpened factionalism in the rural areas. Factions led mainly by well-to-do farmers competed for the loyalty of the; rural poor, who were able to get at least some of their demands met in return. It was during this period that in several villages the scheduled castes were able to gain some social recognition