Paper short abstract:

This paper highlights in particular the case of Halalkhors (Sweepers/scavengers), their experiences, narratives of spatial segregation and social stigma in India. It interrogates the discursive categories of ‘excluded social groups’ and foregrounds intersectionalities and multiple hierarchies.

Paper long abstract:

The paper highlights the case of Halalkhors (Sweepers/scavengers), their experiences, narratives of spatial segregation and social stigma in India. It interrogates the discursive categories of ‘excluded social groups’ and foregrounds intersectionalities and multiple hierarchies. Drawing on the literature and secondary data, the paper seeks to examine socio-cultural moments that keep producing marginalities. The paper primarily focuses on the segregation processes, systematic exclusion and narratives of Halalkhor Muslim community i.e. Dalit Muslim community in India. It tries to conceptualize and theoretically understand the element of 'caste discrimination' among Muslims in India. Based on various official reports (GOI), available empirical research studies and through the writings of prominent scholars, sociologists, etc., the present paper studies the social stratification among Muslim community in India. Also, to show how discrimination based on the lines of 'caste' among Muslims exposes the very general conception of grouping all Muslims in single monolithic homogenous category. While taking into account the empirical data, it is evident that the Halalkhor is a completely excluded community within Muslims. This exclusion needs to be located in the background of the systematic physical segregation, economic/material deprivation, social degradation, cultural marginalization, symbolic subordination and targeted violence. Due to lack of research on untouchability among Muslims, there is no awareness about this category. Paper treats them as rights-bearing individuals. It examines the salience of local histories, lived realities and experiences in the formation of Muslim identities and politics; their assertions will further bring a shift from procedural freedom to substantive ones.