Paper short abstract:

The post-colonial state takes the role of the initiator of development schemes and programmes and these initiatives are designed to bring people on par with the mainstream groups. In India, such initiatives focusing on affirmative action are collectively known as “reservation system”.

Paper long abstract:

The role of state in the post-colonial nations has been recognised to invest in the development of the marginal and vulnerable communities. The post-colonial state takes the role of the initiator of development schemes and programmes and these initiatives are designed to bring people on par with the mainstream groups. In India, such initiatives focusing on affirmative action are collectively known as “reservation system”. Despite regular efforts, the lives of the marginalized sections have not changed much. There are still cases of death by hunger, deprivation, rampant poverty, unemployment, low levels of nutrition, trafficking of women, bonded labour etc. The policy planners and researchers of the area continue to contemplate and search for the root of the problems which is unfortunately a rhizome of issues that has its origins in the colonial period of India and has branched out into problems such as inefficiency, improper understanding of marginality, poor policy structures etc.

The paper addresses the issues of various marginalised sections of India- such as, the Scheduled Tribes, Scheduled Castes, De-Notified Tribal (DNT) Communities, Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), etc. The discussions will also be situated within the context of the post-colonial nature of the affirmative action policy. The paper emphasises on the ways in which these initiatives target the social and economic standing of marginal communities and how they affect the communities and provide them with agencies of change.