Endorsing Social Identity for Social Justice: Transition from Ancient to Contemporary Constructions in India

Abstract

This paper examines how the state and the society perceive the concept of social justice since ancient times in India. It shows a significant transition from the domination of ‘text’ to ‘context’ and back to ‘text.’ In ancient times, the monarchical state comfortably relied on Dharmasastras to execute social justice. It implies the very ethical basis of the organization and function of the state. The medieval state witnessed an addition of Islamic texts in executing social justice. A parallel perception of social justice was happened among monarchical states, perhaps, with conflict of interests. In modern era, the colonial rule of the British appropriated the social stratification either for the convenience of administration or for sustaining their domination. The census initiated by the British in 1881 recorded the caste data until 1931. The emerging data out of caste-wise census would make the civil society much conscious about identity politics, group demands and revision of resource allocation. Methodologically speaking, statistics will be pushed to forefront than the social values or ethics. State has to accommodate politically motivated exercises which are often justified with their philosophy of democracy. One more important issue is that the state is encouraged to avoid the economic criterion in deciding social justice. Empowering the disadvantaged social groups has its own heritage reflected in unequal and multicultural society. The heritage of social identity is again sanctified with the approval of state action despite its regressive overtones with regard to the earlier social reformations.

Keywords: social justice, social identity, caste, multiculturalism