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A brilliant analysis of the socio-political processes that help us understand the challenges faced by marginalized populations for representation and recognition in India.

The premise of democratic politics is that all citizens are equal and have an equal right to a say in national politics. This definition of democracy, however, is observed far more in the breach than in practice. Muslims, Dalits and Adivasis continue their struggle to seek entry into the institution from which they seem to be barred. Drawing on in-depth case studies the book explores how marginalized groups that achieve a degree of political inclusion often discover that it amounts to ‘adverse incorporation’ which is disempowering because it requires them to moderate or abandon key demands. The book is a unique work on the irony of ‘institutionalization’.

Contents: Foreword. Preface. 1. Introduction: Institutionalising Marginal Actors in South Asia—Processes, Policies, Practices and Pitfalls/Hugo Gorringe, Roger Jeffery and Suryakant Waghmore. 2. Identity, Citizenship and Hindu–Muslim Conflict in India/Abdul Shaban. 3. Political Power and Democratic Enablement: Devaraj Urs and Lower Caste Mobilisation in Karnataka/Valerian Rodrigues.4. ‘We Are Still Junglis to Them’: Institutionalising Marginalities amongst the Adivasis in Dooars/Supurna Banerjee. 5. Rise of Adivasi Janajati Movement and Nepal’s Political Interregnum/Jeevan Raj Sharma.6. Institutionalising Marginal Actors in Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu: Insights from Dalit Electoral Data/Roger Jeffery and Hugo Gorringe. 7. From the Cheris to Chennai: Dalit Politics in Tamil/Nadu Hugo Gorringe.8. Challenging Normalised Exclusion: Humour and Hopeful Rationality in Dalit Politics/Suryakant Waghmore. 9. Contentious Spaces: Guru Pujas as Public Performances and the Production of Political Community/D. Karthikeyan.10. Institutionalising Peace? Mohalla Committees in Contemporary Mumbai/Qudsiya Contractor. 11. Institutionalising Informal Socialities: Dalit Urban Poor in Dharavi/Martin Fuchs. 12. India and the Management of Ethnic Diversity: The Unfinished Business of Accommodation/Wilfried Swenden. Glossary and Abbreviations. Index.