Struggle for Equality: India's Muslims and Rethinking the UPA Experience

The UPA government (2004–14) had a radical agenda for religious minorities, including legislation and policies against discrimination and disadvantages suffered by Muslims, and a new framework for delivering substantive equality of opportunity. This work offers a new interpretation of the UPA's record and uses an institutional policy analysis approach to evaluate its performance. Case studies are provided of Muslims in public sector employment, service delivery for Muslim communities, and the efforts to create a new legislative framework against communal violence.

Format: Hardback
Length: 260 pages
Publication date: 21 March 2019
Publisher: Cambridge University Press

The United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government, led by the Congress, assumed power in 2004 with a transformative agenda aimed at addressing the concerns and inequalities faced by religious minorities, particularly Muslims. This agenda encompassed a range of legislation and policies designed to combat discrimination and disadvantages experienced by these communities. At the core of the UPA's efforts was a commitment to promoting substantive equality of opportunity for all citizens, regardless of their religious background.

To critically assess the UPA's record, this work employs an institutional policy analysis approach that combines historical institutionalism and policy analysis. It draws upon official sources, including government documents, reports, and interviews with elite administrators and policy makers who played pivotal roles in decision-making during the UPA's tenure.

Detailed case studies are presented to illustrate the UPA's achievements and challenges in addressing the needs of Muslims. These case studies cover various aspects, such as Muslims' participation in public sector employment, the provision of service delivery for Muslim communities in India, and the efforts to establish a new legislative framework against communal violence.

Through these case studies, it becomes evident that the UPA government made significant strides in promoting religious minorities' rights and equality. However, the journey was not without its obstacles and challenges. The government faced resistance from certain sections of society, who opposed measures aimed at addressing religious minorities' concerns. Additionally, there were implementation issues and gaps in policy implementation, which needed to be addressed to ensure the effective realization of the UPA's agenda.

In conclusion, the UPA government's agenda for religious minorities was a radical departure from previous policies and marked a significant step towards promoting equality and social justice in India. While there were challenges and obstacles along the way, the government's commitment to addressing the needs of religious minorities and its efforts to establish a new legislative framework against communal violence were commendable. This work provides a valuable contribution to understanding the UPA's record and its impact on the lives of religious minorities in India.

Weight: 450g
Dimension: 240 x 159 x 24 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781108416108