Intersectionality of Marginalization and Inequality: A Case Study of Muslims in India

Abstract

Marginalization is a process that leads to sidelining of a certain community/individual to the periphery of the social space that eventually constrain their life choices at political space, social negotiation, and economic bargaining. It is a complex contested umbrella term is inextricably linked with the concept of inequality within the marginalized communities. In fact, inequality and marginalization are usually at interface in that they both with interacts and reinforces each other. Religious minority groups are amongst those who encounter severe exclusion, discrimination and oppression. In case of Indian Muslims as a religious marginalized community, these two concepts overlap. However, concern with 'marginalization' is relatively recent and it is imperative to check the development trajectory on the marginalized groups. As considerable evidence exists, a process of 'marginalization' of minority communities exists in almost all societies and nothing warrants that the same is not true of Muslims in India to a greater or a lesser degree. While discussing social structure of Indian Muslims prominent scholars like Imtiaz Ahmad and Zoya Hasan brought forth the theoretical debate "Can there be a category called Dalit Muslims" 1 . However, there are different and distinct categories of 'marginalization' which sometimes intersect each other and therefore essentially limit the possibility about a proper and comprehensive diagnosis, thereby, making it difficult to resist the actual power-relations. This study explores the systemic processes through which Muslims are being marginalized systematically in different domains of life.

Discrimination of Marginalized Sections in Kashmir: A Never-Ending Legacy (1846 Onwards)

“…'Though conversion to Islam gave them a sense of identity and equality but it did not make any difference to their socio-economic status. Rather it pampered the suffering, causing inequalities on the basis of caste structure' (Jahan, 2016). The concept of equality and brotherhood remained as an ideal, in practice.…”

“…The concept of equality and brotherhood remained as an ideal, in practice. For instance, the Hindu Dhobi became Muslim Dhobi and he still remained a Dhobi (Jahan, 2016). The Varna system of Hindus now became a generic term Zat or Kram for Kashmiris, yet unlike the caste system, Zat signified innate nature, occupation, culture, ethnicity and religious background and not ritual purity of the group.…”

“…These marginalized communities are assigned the lowest position in Kashmiri society only because of their profession and caste. In simple words, marginalization is a set of process that ignores or relegates individuals or groups to the sidelines of political space, social negotiations and economic bargaining (Jahan, 2016). There are various parameters that are used to identify the marginalized.…”

Neodrživost tradicionalnog obrazovanja u suzbijanju marginalizacije

“…Koncept marginalizacije moguće je analizirati kroz diskurs neoklasične ekonomije, marksizma, teorija socijalne isključenosti i druge diskurse. Neoklasični ekonomisti analiziraju marginalizaciju kroz kulturu siromaštva, a marksisti je shvaćaju kao strukturni fenomen endemski vezan uz kapitalizam (Jahan, 2016). Danas su u upotrebi termini marginaliziranost, marginalne skupine, socijalna isključenost te ranjive skupine pod kojim se često misli na iste skupine i/ili pojedince.…”

In Blogospheres: Comprehending Sociopolitical Implications

“…Therefore, the heterogeneity is not only restricted/confined at d level of socio-economic condition but in fact, it is widely at d level of ideology and a politically manipulated menu being served or presented in front of 'others' . (Jahan 2016) In this context, across the blogs, one observant feature is the critique of the status quo and challenging the normative discourse on matters of development, distinction and identity and rights. In this regard, the blogs operate as a new form of political activism enabled by the spread of new media that seeks to mobilise alternative ideas.…”