Mobilisation of Backward Communities in India

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The mobilisation of backward communities in India has several socio-economic and political dimensions. The nature and extent of mobilization achieved by the backward communities of India as a result of reservation policy to some extent in areas of education, employment and politics is to some extent important in post- independence period. This book on "Mobilisation of Backward Communities in India", throws light on several issues. Firstly, who are the backward communities and problems in identification of backward communities. Secondly, since the socio-economic problems of the Backward Communities are not similar requires formation of theoretical perspectives. Thirdly, problems of Backward Communities. Fourthly, issues in mobilization. Lastly, what is the nature of politics and to what extent backward communities are uplifted and empowered.
The book discloses the issues, achievements, obstacles and failures of backward communities, and further setting agenda for efficient mobilization to achieve social justice. The Tribals, Dalits, and Backward communities continue to suffer exploitation, discrimination and deprivations. In the conclusion, there is voice for serious thinking on issues pertaining to mobilization. The book is the outcome of empirical and secondary data.
Contents of this book include: PART I: Theoretical Perspectives Culture and Religious Identity of India from Dalit and Minorities Perspectives; Backward Caste Movements, PART II: Identification of Backward Communities: Defining Constitutional Terms for the Classification of Citizens into Backward Categories; Problems of Identification of Backward Communities; PART III: Problems of Marginal Groups The Politics of Mobilisation of the Backward Classes; Mobilisation of Charmakars, Safai Kamgar Community; Mobilising Muslims in Northern Indian Sub- continent; Human Rights of Dalits and Untouchables; Mobility among the Scheduled Castes of Andhra Pradesh; Dalit Discontent and the Pattern of Mobilisation, Other Backward Classes in Bihar, PART IV: Issues in Mobilisation: Issues of Mobilisation for Scheduled Castes in Maharashtra: Inevitability and Inadequacy of Caste; The Fragmentation of the Backward Classes Movement in Tamil Nadu; The Mobilisation of Backward Communities through Co-operative Movement; PART V: Politics of Tribal, Dalit and Backward Classes Tribes, Ethnicity and Politics; Emergency Dominance of Other Backward Classes in Bihar; Tribal Identity in India; Index.

Dr. Balkrishna Vithal Bhosale (b. 1968), completed matriculation at St. Franci Xavier High School, Matheran (1984). B.A., Sir Parsurambhau College, Pune, (1989). M.A., Department of Sociology. University of Pune, (1991) and Ph.D., University of Pune, (1998).
He has worked as lecturer in Sociology, at Smt. Parvatibai Chowgule College, Margao, Goa (1992-1995), Chetna's Smt. Kusumtai Chaudhari College of Arts and Commerce, Bandra, Mumbai, 1995-1996, Department of Sociology, University of Pune, (1996-2000). Presently as Reader in Sociology, University of Mumbai, Mumbai since 2000.
He has also authored a book "Charmakars in Transition" (2003).
He has several articles, reviews, to his credits in bulletins, journals, and newspapers. His area of specialisation is Sociology of Marginal Groups, and Classical and Contemporary Sociological Theory. Other areas of interest are Industry and Labour, Sociology of Informal Sector, Urban and Rural Sociology. He has carried extensive field work and believes in action oriented research. He has participated in several national and international conferences and seminars.

The Department of Sociology, University of Pune had organised a National Seminar titled "Mobilisation of the Backward Communities in India: Problems and Prospects" on the 28th and 29th February, 2000. This seminar was graced by many intellectuals and eminent academicians and activists who put together their ideas on the critical issues affecting the people of India, the Indian nation and the Communities in particular.
The inaugural address was delivered by Shri P.S. Krishnan, IAS (Retd), Member, National Commission for the Backward Classes, Government of India Shri Krishnan in his address drew attention of the fact that the Backward Communities consisting of SCS, STS and OBCs together constitute around three-fourth of the Indian population. He made an appeal to the non-SCs, non- STS and non-OBCs people not to treat the term 'Reservation' as an antonym of 'Merit' but to look at it as a mechanism to revive what is dormant. He emphasized on the proper implementation of the Constitutional provisions and asked for development mobilisation covering economic and educational rights at par with the children of the elite.
In his presidential remarks, AR. Momin noted that Social Sciences in Third world countries have been heavily influenced by the conceptual and methodological baggage of western social sciences, unfortunately, he said, many Indian social scientists have uncritically applied theories and methodological approaches, which developed in the western context, to Indian situations. Momin made a plea for contextualizing social science research in India, for undertaking a critical examination of the conceptual and methodological framework of western social sciences, and for attuning social science research to Indian issues and problems.

Indian society at the closing of 20th century has emerged through various social, economic, educational, religious and political transformations. This book extensively makes a survey with regard to backward communities in India A shift from colonial rule to home rule has added impetus to the role of the State in bringing about desired changes in socio-economic and political conditions of backward communities in order to create egalitarian order of society.
Though backward communities are identified as scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and OBCs, various efforts have been made to bring unity among them. Further, it is important to mention the concept of "backward communities" which is used in generic sense, to include Dalits, Adivasi, Nomadics, Muslims and Christians. Their composition will reveal their demographic status in relation to other dominant castes. In the total population, 70% people are estimated as backward communities ie., SCs 16.5%, STS 8.1%, Muslims 12.1%, Christians, 2.3%, OBCS 31%, estimated as backward communities are not the same and hence requires the formulation of theoretical perspectives, e g. Phule, Amedkarian to explain their backwardness. In the pre-independence period, the colonial masters did not interfere with Brahminical order of society, which was exploitative and inhuman. There had been several serious efforts of the social reformers, namely, Mahatma Phule, Babasaheb Ambedkar, and others to win basic rights for marginalized communities, for which they had to launch social movements in the interest of deprived marginalized groups.