Behind Bars: The Hidden Inequalities Faced by Dalits and Muslims in the Indian Criminal Justice System

This thesis delves into the systemic inequalities within India's criminal justice system, where societal biases deeply intertwine with systemic discrimination against Dalits and Muslims. By drawing parallels with the United States, where Michelle Alexander’s concept of the "racial caste system" illustrates how color-blind laws perpetuate racial inequality, the study examines whether a similar framework can be applied to India. The thesis argues that the discrimination faced by Dalits and Muslims mirrors the racial caste system identified by Alexander, as both systems maintain inequality through legal and institutional means. Through a critical analysis of caste and race and by engaging with scholarly debates, the thesis explores whether these concepts can be used interchangeably to understand structural discrimination. It also considers the influence of Hindu nationalism in perpetuating these inequalities. Concluding, the thesis asserts that India’s criminal justice system...Show moreThis thesis delves into the systemic inequalities within India's criminal justice system, where societal biases deeply intertwine with systemic discrimination against Dalits and Muslims. By drawing parallels with the United States, where Michelle Alexander’s concept of the "racial caste system" illustrates how color-blind laws perpetuate racial inequality, the study examines whether a similar framework can be applied to India. The thesis argues that the discrimination faced by Dalits and Muslims mirrors the racial caste system identified by Alexander, as both systems maintain inequality through legal and institutional means. Through a critical analysis of caste and race and by engaging with scholarly debates, the thesis explores whether these concepts can be used interchangeably to understand structural discrimination. It also considers the influence of Hindu nationalism in perpetuating these inequalities. Concluding, the thesis asserts that India’s criminal justice system perpetuates a form of racial caste system, sustained by discriminatory laws and entrenched societal prejudices, making Alexander's framework a valuable tool for understanding these dynamics in the Indian context.Show less

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Behind Bars: The Hidden Inequalities Faced by Dalits and Muslims in the Indian Criminal Justice System