Revisiting the Marginal Locations of Muslim Women on Various Sites in India

• Main Author: Esita Sur
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ACCB Publishing 2014-02-01
• Series: Space and Culture, India
• Subjects: Metaphors; Representation; Discourse; Marginality; Muslim Women; India
• Online Access: http://www.spaceandculture.in/index.php/spaceandculture/article/view/44/pdf_8

Dominant discourses on Muslim women have revolved around their marginal locations in commu- nity as well as in society. It has mainly been subjected to socio-economic and political structures and conditions as well. However, it is worth mentioning that marginality is not only a lived experi- ence but it also has metaphoric dimensions. The state of marginality relates not only to the poor socio-economic status of Muslim women but the politics of representation of their identities like veiled, passive as well as meek victims in various discourses also constructs the core of their mar- ginal location in the larger society. Therefore, the marginalisation of Muslim women seems to be visible in various discourses in India. Briefly, the paper will attempt to comprehend the undercur- rents functioning behind the construction of the very concept of marginality and locate Muslim women in popular and academic discourses on marginality.