Politics of Inclusion

Description

This book examines the politics of inclusion through an analysis of the policies, politics, and debates with regard to the strategies of the state in relation to lower castes and minorities.

Situated at the interface of policy and political processes, this study explores the dynamics and strategies of the state with regard to Muslims and lower castes. It examines the underlying issues that influence state policy towards disadvantaged groups and assesses specific strategies and whether these need rethinking and reshaping to take India forward in its quest for equality. It also looks at the constitutional framework, the institutional structures, and the responses and debates surrounding the inclusion for lower castes and minorities, especially the emphasis on affirmative action for the former and the continuing opposition to the inclusion of the latter in this framework.

About the Author

Zoya Hasan is Professor, Centre for Political Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

Table of contents

1:Introduction
2:Reservation, Minority Rights, and the Making of the Constitution
3:Policies and Institutional Frameworks for Protecting the Disadvantaged
4:Caste, Social Backwardness, and OBC Reservations (Mandal I and II)
5:Politics of Representation and Under-representation
6:Muslim Backwardness and the Elusive Promise of Affirmative Action
7:Social Discrimination and the Reservation Claims of Muslim and Christian Dalits
8:Conclusion
Appendix
Bibliography
Index