The Routledge Handbook of Exclusion, Inequality and Stigma in India

NMP Verma, Alpana Srivastava

• Publisher: Routledge India
• Year: 2020
• ISBN:
  9781000096750
• Edition: 1
• Topic: Social Sciences
• Subtopic: Cultural & Social Anthropology
• Index: Social Sciences

This handbook critically examines the three concepts of exclusion, inequality and stigma and their interrelationship in the Indian context. Divided into five parts, the volume deals with the issues of exclusion, inequality, gender discrimination, health and disability, and assault and violence. It discusses important topical themes such as caste and social exclusion in rural labour markets, impact of poverty and unemployment, discrimination in education and literacy, income inequality and financial inclusion, social security of street vendors, women social entrepreneurs, rural–urban digital divide, workplace inequality, women trafficking, acid attacks, inter-caste marriages, honour killings, health care and sanitation, discrimination faced by those with disabilities, and regional disparities in India.

The book traces rising socio-economic inequality and discrimination along with the severe lack of access to resources and opportunities, redressal instruments, legal provisions and implementation challenges, while also looking at deep-rooted causes responsible for their persistence in society. With emphasis on affirmative action, systemic mechanisms, and the role of state and citizens in bridging gaps, the volume presents several policies and strategies for development. It combines wide-ranging empirical case studies backed by relevant theoretical frameworks to map out a new agenda for research on socio-economic inequality in India with important implications for public policy.

Comprehensive and first of its kind, this handbook will serve as a key reference to scholars, researchers and teachers of exclusion and discrimination studies, social justice, political economy, sociology, anthropology, economics, political science, development studies, education and public administration. It will also be useful to policymakers, bureaucrats, civil society activists, non-governmental organisations and social entrepreneurs in the development sector, in addition to those interested in third world studies, developing economies and the global south.

Part I

Exclusion

The first section discusses issues relating to exclusion and comprises six chapters on diverse social problems faced by an individual or group. The first chapter discusses the status of literacy amongst disadvantaged social groups in India. Though it is seen that there is perceptible improvement in educational achievements of disadvantaged sections of society, the literacy rate among them is considerably lower compared to other social groups. Even today, after 70 years of independence, the regional disparity among females in rural area is abysmal. The illiterates among the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) are concentrated within a few states. More so is the gender-based disparity within caste-based disparity, and almost all social groups are suffering from gender disparity in literacy to date. With respect to caste-based inequalities, it has been observed that SCs and STs suffer the most on account of low literacy. The condition of OBCs is better compared to SCs and STs. Among SCs and STs, the performance of SCs is better in rural areas, while STs are better off in urban areas. In-depth analysis reveals the facts and figures in relation to the literacy bias in the country. Thus there is a need for targeted interventions for the socially disadvantaged groups at various levels: primary, secondary and to some extent tertiary levels for enhancing their participation in education and thereby reducing literacy gaps so that they may be brought under the inclusive growth net.

On similar lines, the fourth chapter discusses the education inequality faced by Manual Scavengers. Scavenging is a caste-based occupation and involves cleaning dry latrines, sewers, and septic tank wastes in India. According to the Prohibition of Employment as Manual Scavengers and Rehabilitation Act 2013, manual scavenging was made punishable under law, but 180,657 households are still engaged in manual scavenging as per Census 2011. Graded inequality is an endemic feature of the caste system in India and Schedule Castes, especially the Valmiki caste whose hereditary occupation is manual scavenging, face extreme forms of discrimination and exclusion in society and are considered “outcast” and “lesser humans.” Thus parental occupation largely impacts the child’ education along with other social exclusions. Education, a public good for the benefit of all, has transformed into a commodity in the knowledge economy. It has become a tool for the reproduction of social inequalities in society. The elementary objectives of this research work is to know the socio-economic and cultural conditions that prevail among the Scavenger Communities in urban areas and also to find out about the patterns and forms of discrimination experienced by the children of the Scavenger Communities within the educational system.

The second chapter focuses on financial inclusion among the Asian countries and analyses in-depth the reasons for it. It is seen that the households with low income often lack access to bank accounts, and quite often families face problems in opening a savings bank account or accessing a loan. The main reason cited for lack of participation in the financial system is illiteracy and poor infrastructure. As the majority of the population i...

Table of contents

• Cover
• Half Title
• Title
• Copyright
• Dedication
• Contents
• List of figures
• List of tables
• Notes on contributors
• Preface
• List of abbreviations
• Introduction
• Part I Exclusion
• Part II Inequality
• Part III Gender discrimination
• Part IV Health hiatus
• Part V Violence and trafficking
• Index