Representation of Minorities in Panchayati Raj Institutions in Rural Tamil Nadu: The Influence of Caste, Class, Religion and Gender

Abstract

The religious minorities are underrepresented in governance at national, provincial and local political sphere in India. The inadequate representation of religious minorities in political sphere has perpetuated their minority status as socially marginalised, economically excluded and sub-ordinate social group in Indian society. Despite the fact, that neither the Constitution (73rd Amendment Act), 1992 nor the Tamil Nadu Panchayati Raj Act 1994 have provided reservation for representation of minority in rural self-governance, this paper examines the social factors that influence the election of religious minorities in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through the Elite and Pluralistic theory of power structure. The quantitative and qualitative data collected in three districts of Tamil Nadu unfolds the influence of caste, class, religion and gender in the election of religious minorities to PRIs.