Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India's cultural diversities…

Question

Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India's cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities.

Ghissu Editorial · Accepted Answer

India's cultural diversities correlate with socio-economic marginality largely for SCs, STs and sections of Muslims, but not as a general rule, since hierarchy and uneven development drive deprivation. The Global MPI 2021 found five of six poor Indians among STs, SCs and backward castes, yet Jains had 94.9% literacy.

**Introduction**

The Global MPI 2021 found five of every six multidimensionally poor Indians among STs, SCs and backward castes, with 50.6% of STs poor. Cultural fault lines often coincide with deprivation, yet the correlation is partial.

**Where Cultural Difference Tracks Deprivation**

1. **Caste hierarchy**: Dumont's *Homo Hierarchicus* explains why ritual ranking by purity survives today as SC landlessness, occupational segregation and manual scavenging.
2. **Tribes and religious minorities**: The Xaxa Committee (2014) recorded tribal displacement in the mineral belt, while the Sachar Committee (2006) found Muslims, 13.4% of Indians, holding under 5% of government jobs.
3. **Regional otherness**: The Bezbaruah Committee (2014) documented discrimination against North-Eastern people in Indian cities, where cultural difference blocks housing and work.

**Where the Correlation Breaks Down**

SKETCH: matrix | Diversity and Marginality
cols: Marginalised | Advantaged
rows: Distinct minority | Dominant group
tl: STs, Pasmanda Muslims
tr: Parsis, Jains, Sikhs
bl: Poor EWS households
br: Urban upper castes

1. **Prosperous minorities**: Jains had 94.9% literacy in Census 2011, and Parsis and Sikhs prosper in business, so distinctiveness is not destiny.
2. **Inequality within groups**: The Rohini Commission found a quarter of OBC sub-castes taking 97% of central benefits, and *Davinder Singh* (2024) allowed SC sub-classification.
3. **Geography and class**: Tribal-majority Mizoram had 91.3% literacy (Census 2011), and the EWS quota (2019) recognises poverty among dominant groups.

**Way Forward**

1. **Targeted measures**: Use sub-group Census data, combine Aspirational Districts with PM-JANMAN for PVTGs, and enact a comprehensive anti-discrimination law.

**Conclusion**

The proposition holds for SCs, STs and sections of Muslims but not as a general law. Ending historical hierarchy and uneven development, not diversity, will secure the Preamble's equality of status.

Critically analyse the proposition that there is a high correlation between India's cultural diversities and socio-economic marginalities.

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Salient features of Indian Society, Diversity of India23 questions

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