Politics of identity and development in Mewat region of Haryana a study of Meo community

Abstract

The research is concerned with the identity formation within a specific community i.e. the Meos who inhabit Mewat, a historical-cultural region which straddles across the states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh. The research based on survey method undertaken in Haryana segment of Mewat region aims to look at the ways how Meo identity has been articulated at the intersection of a politics of religion and region. The thesis argues that rise of the influence of Tablighi Jamaat has resulted in creating a gulf between the Meo Muslims and Hindu communities in the region, which was absent earlier. The conservative teachings of the Jamaat has also dissuaded the Meo community from availing the opportunity structures created by Indian State. The thesis also argues that since the Meo community is divided across the different constituencies in the state so it remains politically underrepresented. Thus the community remains not only socially and culturally marginal but also politically marginal. newline