Faces of Discrimination in Higher Education in India by Ovichegan, Samson K.;

Short description:

This book illuminates the experiences of a set of students and faculty who are members of the Dalit caste – commonly known as the ‘untouchables’ – who are relatively ‘successful’ in that they attend or are academics at a prestigious university.

Long description:

This book illuminates the experiences of a set of students and faculty who are members of the Dalit caste – commonly known as the ‘untouchables’ – and are relatively ‘successful’ in that they attend or are academics at a prestigious university. The book provides a background to the study, exploring the role of caste and its enduring influence on social relations in all aspects of life. The book also contains a critical account of the current experiences of Dalit students and faculty in one elite university setting – the University of Shah Jahan (pseudonym). Drawing on a set of in-depth semi-structured interviews, the empirical study that is at the centre of this book explores the perceptions of staff and students in relation to the Quota policy and their experiences of living, working and studying in this elite setting. The data chapters are organised in such a way as to first explore the faculty views. The experiences of students are then examined with a focus on the way in which their caste is still an everyday part of how they are sometimes ‘othered’. Also, a focus on female Dalit experiences attempts to capture the interconnecting aspects of abject discrimination in their university life. Faces of Discrimination in Higher Education in India explores:

• critical exploration of the Quota System policy and related social justice issues


• faculty voices: Quota, caste and discrimination


• students’ perceptions and experiences of the Quota policy


• being a ‘female Dalit’ student


• positioning caste relations and the Quota policy: a critical analysis

This study will be of interest to educational sociologists examining policies in education and analysts of multicultural and South Asian studies. It will also steer pertinent discussions on equality and human rights issues.

"After experimenting the policy for more than six decades, it is pertinent to probe into their educational situation - in Higher Education, in terms of access, performance and experiences. The author has successfully handled the issue based on rich qualitative data collected directly from the stake holders. This study is first of its kind in the area of Sociology of Education covering Higher Education of Indian marginalised section adding to a new perspective and approach to the issue.This volume will be of great use for the students, scholars, planners and policy makers across the countries." -- Professor G. G. Wankhede, Chairperson, Center for Higher Education, and Dean, School of Education, Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, India

Table of Contents:

1.Introduction  2.Critical Exploration of the Quota System Policy and Related Social Justice Issues  3.Faculty Voices: Quota, Caste and Discrimination  4.Students’ Perceptions and Experiences of the Quota Policy  5.Being a ‘Female Dalit’ Student  6.Positioning Caste Relations and the Quota Policy: A Critical Analysis  7.Conclusion