Identity Politics and the Empowerment of the Marginalised in the Post-independent Indian Context.

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to survey the scenario of the identity politics pertaining to the marginalized community in India. Initially, it delineates the rationale of the politics in terms of identity and points up the necessity given the forlorn condition of the marginalized. For, the politics as understood in this context attempts to assure a degree of empowerment in the midst of the scramble from all sides of the society making the caste hierarchy a means to reinforce the entrenched prejudicial notions. Finally, the paper makes the case for identity politics in the Indian context which has an aggrieving past. It draws insights from Charles Taylor in support of its stand.