Issues of Minority Within Minority in a Multicultural Framework: a Plight of Shia Minority vis-à-vis Sunni Majority in India
Issues of Minority Within Minority in a Multicultural Framework: a Plight of Shia Minority vis-à-vis Sunni Majority in India

Summary/Abstract: Multiculturalism is a philosophy that looks upon an individual with specific reference to his cultural, religious, ethnic, and other such identities. It challenges the inequalities, discriminations, and atrocities faced by an individual due to his different identities on account of religion, culture, ethnicity, gender, etc, which is non-dominant (numerically or in terms of powerlessness). Multiculturalism seeks to ensure equal rights as well as equal powersharing of all stakeholders.However, multiculturalism is often criticized for ignoring the rights of groups/minorities within the minorities, i.e., the others' of “other”. Multiculturalism recognizes and values the diversities within the society but fails to acknowledge the stratifications within the group. It often leads to the denial of egalitarian treatment to minorities within a minority. It acknowledges the “other” but ignores the “others within the other“. The claims of minorities against the majority for protection against discrimination become a dilemma when a minority claims the same within the minority. This study first describes and understands the nature and concept of multiculturalism, followed by a critical appraisal of the context of marginalized groups within minorities. The second part of this study will explore the claims of Shias as a religious minority within muslim minority in India.

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