ABSTRACT
Intergroup disparity in India is multi-faceted, with several parallel layers of discrimination, which makes the formulation of an ideal plan for compensatory discrimination difficult, if not impossible. At the risk of oversimplification, an attempt will be made in this chapter to summarise some of the important dimensions of intergroup disparity. There is substantial regional variation in indicators of development across states of India, creating a feeling amongst the people of the less developed regions that they are discriminated against and the several violent agitations in the last half-century for secession from the Indian Union are testimony to this feeling of resentment. At the time of independence from the British in 1947, the country was partitioned on religious lines with the creation of a new country, Pakistan that would be home to the Muslims. The consequent migration of Hindus living on the Pakistani side to India and Muslims on the Indian side to Pakistan is the bloodiest and one of the most traumatic events in recent history. However, minority religious groups, including Muslims, continue to be a part of the Indian population.1 The legacy of the religious divide continues: right wing organisations ostensibly protecting the interests of the majority religion, Hinduism, press for the exclusion of minority religious groups. Minority religious groups are not only the targets of hate campaigns and systematic violence but also have worse social and economic outcomes.
