Leaders of Slum Dwellers - A study based on slums of Jaipur city

Abstract

Growth of slum is largely viewed as an outcome of the failure of urban planning, rising urban population, industrialisation and urban poverty. But the role of 'slum level leader', who is well knitted in the life of slum dwellers and whose greed and guidance largely govern the process of slum growth is not deeply understood. In the current paper attempt has been made to understand the role of slum level leaders in growth of slum and the life of slum dwellers. The study was conducted in Jaipur city and the data was collected from 257 households of eight slums. These slum level leaders share commensal relationship with slum dwellers. They allow a new inmigrant to get accommodated in slum and help in receiving different facilities. In turn, they get recognition, higher social status, political mileage and monetary benefits from slum dwellers. But this give and take relationship between the community and slum level leaders has done more harm than good to the development of slum. Now the time is to deeply understand the role of slum level leaders in social, economic and political environment of slum and using it judiciously to make life of slum dwellers better.