Understanding and Confronting
Marginalisation
Reasons Why Groups Are Marginalised
Economic Factors: many adivasis were displaced from forests and
land due to mining, industrial and development projects, resulting in
poverty and loss of livelihood. Muslims, on average, have lower access
to education and employment, limiting their economic growth.
Social Factors: adicasis were often seen as priorities or different
because of their distinct culture and lifestyle, leading to social
exclusion. Muslims have faced prejudice and sterotyping which
affected their social acceptance and intergration.
Political Factors: Adivasis have had limited representation and weak
participation in decision making. Muslims are also under represented in
government jobs and political bodies reducing their influence in
politics.
These factors interconnect. Often, being marginalised economically (poor,
landless) also means being socially disempowered and lacking political
influence. Marginalisation results in a vicious cycle of disadvantage
where communities have low social status and limited access to education,
jobs, and resources.
Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes)
Who are Adivasis? “Adivasi” literally means “original inhabitants” or
tribals. They make up about 8% of India’s population. There are over 500
different Adivasi groups across India[15], with great linguistic and cultural
diversity. States with significant Adivasi populations include Odisha,
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and most north-eastern
states. Unlike caste-based society, many Adivasi communities have little
internal social hierarchy, which is very different from the jati-varna caste
system. They have distinct tribal religions (worshipping ancestors, village
and nature spirits like mountain or river spirits) but have been influenced by
shakta, buddhist, vaishavs, etc. and speak their own languages, which are
often completely different from mainstream languages. The government
labels Adivasis as “Scheduled Tribes (STs)” in official categories, and
maintains an official list of these tribes.
Eg- jagannath cult of odisha and shakta and tantric traditions in bengal and
assam.
, Stereotypes and Reality: Adivasis are often stereotyped as exotic,
primitive, and backward. In popular culture (school functions, books,
movies), they are shown in colourful costumes, headgear, dancing, etc.,
which masks the reality of their lives. This stereotyping can lead others to
believe Adivasis are unwilling to modernise or “resistant to change”, blaming
them for their marginalisation. In truth, Adivasi communities have been
historically autonomous and prosperous in their resource-rich habitats.
Until the 19th century, forests covered much of India and Adivasis had deep
knowledge of and control over these lands. Thus, Adivasis were not always
marginal – they were once central to the economy of the subcontinent.
Loss of Land and Displacement: Over the last two centuries, Adivasis
have been gradually dispossessed of their lands. Colonial forest policies
and later government and private industry actions have forced many tribals
into migrant labor and mining or plantation work. For example, large
numbers of Adivasis from central India were taken to work on tea plantations
in Assam or even shipped off to overseas colonies (Mauritius, Caribbean,
etc.).
Forest laws- british forest policies declared forests are reserved areas,
restricting adivasis from using forest resources and frocing them to leave
their land.
Mining- expansion of mines, industries, and plantations led to large scale
acquistition of tribal land.
In independent India, Adivasi areas – rich in minerals, forests, and rivers –
have been targeted for dams, mines, industrial projects and wildlife
sanctuaries. This has led to massive displacement of tribal
communities. Powerful companies and even government agencies have
often colluded to take over tribal land, sometimes violating legal
procedures and using force. According to official figures, over 50% of
people displaced by mining projects are tribals. In states like Andhra
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand, 79% of those displaced by
development projects were Adivasis. Huge areas of tribal land have also
been submerged by large dams, and in the North-East, many Adivasi regions
are heavily militarised (due to insurgency and security concerns).
Gobindha maran- they took our farming land. They left some houses, they
took the cremation ground, temple, well and pond, how will we survive?
The loss of their traditional land destroyed the forest loss, livelihood of
adivasis as they depended on froests for fuel, food and shelter.
Many adivasis were forced to work as labours implantation, mineral and
mining, and factories under harsh conditions and low wages.
Their social life and culture were disrupted, leading to poverty, exploitation
and loss of traditional ways of living.
Marginalisation
Reasons Why Groups Are Marginalised
Economic Factors: many adivasis were displaced from forests and
land due to mining, industrial and development projects, resulting in
poverty and loss of livelihood. Muslims, on average, have lower access
to education and employment, limiting their economic growth.
Social Factors: adicasis were often seen as priorities or different
because of their distinct culture and lifestyle, leading to social
exclusion. Muslims have faced prejudice and sterotyping which
affected their social acceptance and intergration.
Political Factors: Adivasis have had limited representation and weak
participation in decision making. Muslims are also under represented in
government jobs and political bodies reducing their influence in
politics.
These factors interconnect. Often, being marginalised economically (poor,
landless) also means being socially disempowered and lacking political
influence. Marginalisation results in a vicious cycle of disadvantage
where communities have low social status and limited access to education,
jobs, and resources.
Adivasis (Scheduled Tribes)
Who are Adivasis? “Adivasi” literally means “original inhabitants” or
tribals. They make up about 8% of India’s population. There are over 500
different Adivasi groups across India[15], with great linguistic and cultural
diversity. States with significant Adivasi populations include Odisha,
Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Gujarat, Maharashtra,
Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and most north-eastern
states. Unlike caste-based society, many Adivasi communities have little
internal social hierarchy, which is very different from the jati-varna caste
system. They have distinct tribal religions (worshipping ancestors, village
and nature spirits like mountain or river spirits) but have been influenced by
shakta, buddhist, vaishavs, etc. and speak their own languages, which are
often completely different from mainstream languages. The government
labels Adivasis as “Scheduled Tribes (STs)” in official categories, and
maintains an official list of these tribes.
Eg- jagannath cult of odisha and shakta and tantric traditions in bengal and
assam.
, Stereotypes and Reality: Adivasis are often stereotyped as exotic,
primitive, and backward. In popular culture (school functions, books,
movies), they are shown in colourful costumes, headgear, dancing, etc.,
which masks the reality of their lives. This stereotyping can lead others to
believe Adivasis are unwilling to modernise or “resistant to change”, blaming
them for their marginalisation. In truth, Adivasi communities have been
historically autonomous and prosperous in their resource-rich habitats.
Until the 19th century, forests covered much of India and Adivasis had deep
knowledge of and control over these lands. Thus, Adivasis were not always
marginal – they were once central to the economy of the subcontinent.
Loss of Land and Displacement: Over the last two centuries, Adivasis
have been gradually dispossessed of their lands. Colonial forest policies
and later government and private industry actions have forced many tribals
into migrant labor and mining or plantation work. For example, large
numbers of Adivasis from central India were taken to work on tea plantations
in Assam or even shipped off to overseas colonies (Mauritius, Caribbean,
etc.).
Forest laws- british forest policies declared forests are reserved areas,
restricting adivasis from using forest resources and frocing them to leave
their land.
Mining- expansion of mines, industries, and plantations led to large scale
acquistition of tribal land.
In independent India, Adivasi areas – rich in minerals, forests, and rivers –
have been targeted for dams, mines, industrial projects and wildlife
sanctuaries. This has led to massive displacement of tribal
communities. Powerful companies and even government agencies have
often colluded to take over tribal land, sometimes violating legal
procedures and using force. According to official figures, over 50% of
people displaced by mining projects are tribals. In states like Andhra
Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Odisha and Jharkhand, 79% of those displaced by
development projects were Adivasis. Huge areas of tribal land have also
been submerged by large dams, and in the North-East, many Adivasi regions
are heavily militarised (due to insurgency and security concerns).
Gobindha maran- they took our farming land. They left some houses, they
took the cremation ground, temple, well and pond, how will we survive?
The loss of their traditional land destroyed the forest loss, livelihood of
adivasis as they depended on froests for fuel, food and shelter.
Many adivasis were forced to work as labours implantation, mineral and
mining, and factories under harsh conditions and low wages.
Their social life and culture were disrupted, leading to poverty, exploitation
and loss of traditional ways of living.
