Human rights of the marginalised in India: Need for new understandings

Abstract

Marginalised communities in India are entitled to all the rights that constitution has ensured to all the citizens of the country. Apart from general, social economic and political rights they have been provided certain constitutional protections in the form of affirmative action. But, equal rights and certain special protections have not succeeded in changing the life of the marginalised communities in the sense that still they are under constant social political and economic threat on the part of the so-called forward communities of the society. This reality has been to major extent accepted by the people and institutions. However, their marginality due to constant threats from forward communities has not been conceded as serious violation of their human rights. The casual approach of the people and institutions with respect to marginalised suggests that social problems such as social discriminations and ill treatment are the problems which could be internally solved and cannot be addressed at international forums.