India
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In India, there are a large number of caste divisions and categories which also vary by region and state. Historically, this system resulted in widespread discrimination against those people who belonged to the lower castes. Upon its independence in 1947, however, India abolished untouchability and criminalized caste-based discrimination. It became the first country to implement affirmative action programs; India’s Constitution provides for affirmative action programs aimed to provide equality to oppressed castes. India’s affirmative action programs are quota based in order to give a proportional share of government jobs, places in educational institutions, and seats in electoral constituencies to targeted groups. Though these programs have helped India make progress towards an equal society, caste is still sometimes used as a basis for both social and economic discrimination.
More Information on Affirmative Action in India
India Court Overturns Ban on Gay Sex – Reuters India – July 2, 2009
Equal Opportunities Panel with Court Powers Soon – Sindh Today – June 10, 2009
Court Orders Appointment of Physically Challenged Person as Conductor in STC – The Hindu – April 26, 2009
Hasan, Z. (2008). Politics of Inclusion: Castes, Minorities, and Affirmative Action. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
Alpha Girls: Empowered in Offices, Boardrooms – The Economic Times – March 8, 2009
Kamal Nath Calls for Affirmative Action to Ensure Women Reach Highest Levels – Press Information Bureau – February 12, 2009
Political Affirmative Action: Quotas for Women – The New York Times – January 12, 2009
Muslims – India’s New “Untouchables” – Los Angeles Times – December 1, 2008
Ministry Gives Shape to Equal Opportunities Panel—The Hindu—September 2, 2008
Court Doubles Affirmative Action in India’s Colleges—The Guardian—April 11, 2008
Desai, S. & Kulkarni, V. (2008). Changing Educational Inequalities in India in the Context of Affirmative Action. Demography, 45, 245-270.
Indian News—African American Policy Forum
Indian Praxis Project—UCLA/Columbia/AAPF—March-April 2008
India Pits Affirmative Action Against Castes—NPR—August 25, 2006
Deshpande, A. (2005). Affirmative Action in India and the United States. Background Paper: World Development Report 2006.
Deshpande, A. (2000). Affirmative Action in India. In E. Kennedy-Dubourdieu (Ed.), Race and Inequality: World Perspectives on Affirmative Action. Burlington, Vermont: Ashgate Publishing.
Indian Constitution: Selected Articles—Human Rights Watch—1999
Pinto, A. Saffronisation of Affirmative Action. Economic and Political Weekly (December 25, 1999).
Galanter, M. (1991). Competing Equalities: Law and the Backward Classes in India. New Delhi: Oxford University Press.
