Tag: marginalisation

Displaced in the context of Marginalisation refers to people who are forced or compelled to move from their homes for big development projects including dams, mining etc.

The word marginalization simply means exclusion from the mainstream. Marginalization of any community or a person can be because of many reasons like -

• Speaking a different language,
• Following different customs,
• Belonging to different religious group from the majority community etc.

Marginalization is linked to experiencing disadvantage, prejudice, poverty and powerlessness. It is a complex phenomenon which results into a low social status, not having equal access to education and other resources.

In the social environment groups of people or communities may have the experience of being excluded. Their marginalization can be because they speak a different language, follow different customs or belong to a different religious group from the majority community. They may also feel marginalized because they are poor, considered to be of low social status and viewed as being less human than others. Sometimes, marginalized groups are viewed with hostility and fear.

Indian Constitution recognized that the culture of the majority influences the way in which society and government might express themselves. In such cases, size can be a disadvantage and lead to the marginalization of the relatively smaller communities. Thus, safeguards are needed to protect minority communities against the possibility of being culturally dominated by the majority. They also protect them against any discrimination and disadvantage that they may face. The Constitution provides these safeguards because it is committed to protecting India’s cultural diversity and promoting equality as well as justice.

Malnourished means a person who does not get adequate nutrition or food. Many Adivasis have migrated to cities in search of work where they are employed for very low wages in local industries or at building or construction sites. They, thus, get caught in a cycle of poverty and deprivation. 45 percent of tribal groups in rural areas and 35 percent in urban areas live below the poverty line. Many tribal children are malnourished.

Muslims prefer to send their kids to Madarsa when primary education in India is free for all because Madrasas are also a kind of school and education is free there. However, there is class distinction among people following the same religion. A middle class educated Muslim will most probably send their kids to a secular school. However, if the quality of education in Madrasa is improved, they would become popular like convent or missionary schools where people from all religions send their children to study.

Marginalization results in having a low social status and not having equal access to education and other resources. The Adivasis have been marginalized as their forest-lands were taken over for development and they have been side-lined. The Muslims have been marginalized as they have different customs and traditions as compared to the majority of the citizens. Different communities have been marginalized for different reasons, yet all the communities that have been marginalized experience disadvantage, prejudice and powerlessness.

Hierarchy is a graded system or arrangement of persons or things. Usually persons at the bottom of the hierarchy are those who have the least power. The caste system is a hierarchical system and Dalits are considered to be at the lowest end.

Muslims are considered to be a marginalised community in India today because in comparison to other communities, they have over the years deprived of the benefits of socio-economic development. Muslim women are the important part of the women movement in India. Muslims in India were lagging behind in terms of various development indicators. Economic and social marginalisation experienced by Muslims has other dimensions as well. Muslims women started the women's movement against the discrimination and unfair treatment to them in schools, colleges, hospitals and every part of the nation.

25 percent of Muslim children in the 6-14 year age group have either never been enrolled in school or have dropped out. This percentage is much higher than that of any other socio-religious community.