Society

Political Representation of Minorities in India

Marxist Summer School 2014 — IIDS Founder Prof Sukhadeo Thorat at a workshop in Delhi in April 2018

INDIAN INSTITUTE OF DALIT STUDIES | Despite laws to protect marginalised groups in India, such as Muslims or Dalits (formally known as ‘Untouchables’), they still face widespread discrimination in India, especially with regard to economic status and their representation in the legislature. With the Indian Institute for Dalit Studies (IIDS), Rosa-Luxemburg-Stiftung conducted a research on labour discrimination of marginalised groups and supported them in asserting their rights. This research intended to stimulate a critical discourse as well as to inform decision and policy makers, scholars, NGOs and activists. The project has been successfully completed in 2018. In 2019, the research looked at the representation of social minorities in the central legislature from states and state assemblies in the last sixty years. For the partners it is important to sensitise the public about the challenges for social minorities. That is why in 2019 the first Ambedkar Summer School was held.

Our Partner

The Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS), a recognised research institute, was set up in 2003 by academics and civil society activists. IIDS carries out research on issues of marginalised groups to generate and disseminate change-making knowledge and to inform policies. Thereby, it hopes to contribute to a socially inclusive society, economy, politics and development.