Table Of ContentMarginality in India
Marginality in India is not an unusual phenomenon when compared with the other
cultures of the globe; however, its sustainability on the primordial basis highlights the
peculiarities that make India a classic example. In fact, the present liberalised scenario
though has bestowed opportunities, but the scope of affirmative action too has mar-
ginalised leading to the status quo to a larger extent. There are social categories such
as caste, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. which are stratified (mostly in vertical order)
to transform the development process into the process of marginalisation for many
while benefitting the privileged few. The context of the northeast presents a unique
example due to prolong colonial historical experience that has alienated the region
from the rest of India, and due to multi-ethnic cultures. There are several identities
which are either bruised or are still vulnerable, seeking protection of affirmative action
policies vis-à-vis other (dominant) identities in their local as well as national context.
The discussion on several aspects of marginality and the process of marginalisation
in India with some special insights from the northeast region attempts to generate a
relevant discourse towards undoing of the marginality, especially on the social as well
as cultural stratification.
Kedilezo Kikhi is currently Chair Professor, Dr. Ambedkar Chair, and Professor
of Sociology at Tezpur University, Assam, India. He completed his post-graduate
degree and PhD from North Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, India. He
is credited with several publications in national and international journals, dailies,
texts, and reference books for tertiary as well as school education. His most recent
publications include Nagaland: Vibrant Ethnic Communities in Transition (Vol.
1&2), Indigeneity, Citizenship and the State: Perspectives from India’s Northeast,
and Comprehending Equity: Contextualising India’s North-East.
Dharma Rakshit Gautam is currently Research Officer and Assistant Professor, Dr.
Ambedkar Chair at Tezpur University, Assam, India. He completed his post-graduate
degree at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi, India, and earned research
degrees (MPhil and PhD) from the National Institute of Educational Planning
& Administration (NIEPA), New Delhi, India. His recent publications include
Education Among Scheduled Castes and Comprehending Equity: Contextualising
India’s North-East.
Marginality in India
Perspectives of Marginalisation from the
Northeast
Edited by Kedilezo Kikhi and
Dharma Rakshit Gautam
First published 2023
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British Library Cataloguing-in-Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library
ISBN: 978-1-032-02210-9 (hbk)
ISBN: 978-1-032-24666-6 (pbk)
ISBN: 978-1-003-27967-9 (ebk)
DOI: 10.4324/9781003279679
Typeset in Sabon
by Deanta Global Publishing Services, Chennai, India
Dedicated to Prof. A.K. Nongkynrih (NEHU) and Dr. P. Anbarasan
(Tezpur University), who (in their own unique way), have made an
immortal contribution towards the struggle for socio-economic
equality. Recently, their souls have departed the mortal world.
Contents
List of figures x
List of tables xii
List of contributors xiii
Preface xv
Acknowledgements xx
1 Marginality in India: An Introduction 1
KEDILEZO KIKHI AND DHARMA RAKSHIT GAUTAM
SECTION 1
Marginalisation: Concept and the Categories 15
2 Schema for Exploring Social Exclusion and Marginality in
Northeast India 17
VIRGINIUS XAXA
3 Understanding Epistemic Agency in Indian Academia 32
N. SUKUMAR
4 Discursive Practices-Led Marginalisation: The Context of
Caste-Based Spiral of Silence 45
P. ANBARASAN
5 Social Acceptability of Transgender Persons in a Traditional
Society: The Case of Manipur 55
M.C. ARUNKUMAR
viii Contents
SECTION 2
Education: Source and Means for Marginalisation 63
6 Marginality and Marginalisation: Education as a Source of
Cumulative Marginalisation 65
N.V. VARGHESE
7 Marginalisation of Scheduled Tribes in Educational
Institutions: A Case of Shrinking Public Sphere 82
PARAMA CHAKMA AND RAJEEV DUBEY
8 Rural Space: An Endemic Problem of Cultural Subordination
and Othering 95
AJAY KUMAR CHOUBEY
9 Structural Marginalisation of Transgender Students in Higher
Education Institutions of India 110
S. AROKIA MARY
SECTION 3
Identity: Standpoint Perspectives 127
10 Borders and the Construction of Citizenship in India 129
SHAILAJA MENON
11 Identity and Aporia of Autonomy: The Bodo Movement in
Retrospect 142
BHUPEN SARMAH
12 Governance and Belonging in the Margins: A Centre–
Periphery Perspective in India’s Northeastern Region 158
PAHI SAIKIA AND ANIRUDDHA KUMAR BARO
13 Identity and Marginalisation: The Darjeeling Hills in Context 172
RAMESH DURAL
14 Pre-emptive Criminalisation and Marginalisation of the Nagas 184
VISAKHONU HIBO
15 Discourse of Assamese Nationalism: Situating the Miyas of Assam 196
PRAFULLA KR. NATH
Contents ix
16 Systemic Corruption: Phenomenon Ensuing Marginalisation
of Tribals in Manipur 210
KH. POU AND VANTHANGPUI KHOBUNG
17 Narrating the Northeast: Contextualising Media-Led Marginality 225
PIYASHI DUTTA
SECTION 4
Gender: Existing Stereotypes for Subordination 237
18 Professional Education in India: Exploring the Gendered
Dimension 239
SANGHAMITRA DAS
19 Patronising Laws and Zealous Implementers: Women, Sex
Industry, and Anti-Trafficking Discourse in Assam 259
SAWMYA RAY
20 Marginality and Legal Pluralism: An Intersection of Article
371A, Naga Women, and the Urban Local Body (ULB)
Imbroglio 272
A. WATI WALLING AND RENCHUMI KIKON KUOTSU
Index 289
