Central idea 

The article highlights the contrast between Babasaheb Ambedkar’s vision for inclusive post-colonial India and the current erosion of state support for Dalits and Adivasis under neo-liberalism. It calls for a redefined social justice framework aligned with Ambedkar’s principles, emphasizing inclusive integration into the economic order for marginalized groups.

Key Highlights:

• Democracy’s Vision: Modern democracy aspires to social harmony and reforms, especially for historically marginalized groups like Dalits and Adivasis.
• Ambedkar’s Vision: Babasaheb Ambedkar envisioned post-colonial India as distinct, ensuring equal opportunities for all communities in economic and political development.
• Neo-liberal Impact: Neo-liberal economic development has disrupted traditional support for Dalits and Adivasis from state institutions.

Key Challenges:

• Elite Dominance: Various sectors witness the dominance of social elites, perpetuating the control of the conventional ruling class.
• Tokenistic Representation: Socially marginalized groups experience tokenistic representation in power and privileges.
• Neglect in Neo-liberalism: Concerns of Dalits and Adivasis are neglected in the neo-liberal economic model.

Key Terms and Phrases:

• Neo-liberal Economic Development
• Social Justice Policies
• Tokenistic Presence
• Exploitative Brahmanical Past
• Market Economy
• Crony Capitalist Mode
• Economic Order
• Pluralist and Cooperative Mode

Key Quotes:

• “With the ascent of neo-liberal economic development, the conventional support that Dalits and Adivasis have received from state institutions has derailed.”
• “It is an appropriate time to imagine how the worst-off social groups can become an integral and substantive part of the new economic order.”

Key Statements:

• Neo-liberal Market Critique: The neo-liberal market is alien to ethical values, celebrating the exclusive control of a few corporate bodies and businessmen.
• State’s Role: The state, in the neo-liberal realm, has become a passive associate of big business, deviating from its social responsibilities.

Key Examples and References:

• Ambedkar’s Principles: Reference to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s principles of social justice.
• Neo-liberal Impact: Mention of the neglect of Dalit and Adivasi concerns in the neo-liberal economic model.

Key Facts and Data:

• Impact on Support: Decline in traditional support for Dalits and Adivasis with the rise of neo-liberal economic development.
• Tokenistic Representation: Socially marginalized groups experience tokenistic representation in positions of power.

Critical Analysis:

• Neo-liberal Evaluation: Assessing the impact of the neo-liberal economic model on social justice policies and the neglect of marginalized groups.
• Ambedkar’s Vision: Evaluating Ambedkar’s vision as a corrective measure for making institutions more democratic and representative.

Way Forward:

• Policy Expansion: Expansion of social justice policies to the private economy for democratizing working classes and reducing poverty.
• Inclusive Integration: Integration of Dalits and Adivasis as influential contributors to the market economy.
• Affirmative Action: Adoption of affirmative action policies to empower Dalit and Adivasi groups as industrialists, market leaders, and influencers.
• Redefining Capitalism: Redefinition of capitalism as a pluralist and cooperative mode ensuring substantive participation of marginalized groups.

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