*Research Guide & Asst. Professor, Department of Studies in Sociology, Maharajas College, University of Mysore, Mysore
**Research scholar, Department of Studies in Sociology, University of Mysore, Mysore
Online published on 20 May, 2017.
India has made a pledge six decades ago to build an inclusive, plural and secular society which would equitably integrate its religious minorities while respecting their distinct identities and honouring difference. This is particularly true of sour largest minority community, despite Indian law that considers all men and women equal subjects; the Muslim religion does not treat them as such, Muslim women are the most notable Indian citizens for having their constitutional rights neglected and are denied equal protection of the law as citizens.
They are considered the most disadvantaged, impoverished and politically marginalized group within society as well as the most economically and socially vulnerable the majority of Muslim women are never employed outside the home, Muslims, who constitute 13.4 per cent of the population and also socially economically and educationally backward. In this back drop, the present paper briefly reviews the existing status of Muslim minorities in India. It further critically analyzes the status of socio economic representation to the Muslim minorities. India has one of the most diverse indigenous populations. People belonging to many religions like Hinduism, Islam, Buddhism, Jainism, Sikhism and Christianity live in this country since time immemorial.
Muslims are not only the largest minority community, but their presence is visible in all the states and union territories. Nonetheless, discrimination, social stagnation and educational marginalization have cumulatively resulted in growing economic backwardness of the Muslims in large parts of the country. This largest minority community has been relegated to the lowest socio-economic stratum amongst all religious minorities in the post-independent India.
