Why Refer to the Hindus in Bangladesh as a “minority”?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.12797/Politeja.13.2016.40.21Keywords:
Colonialism, Governmentality, Communalism, South AsiaAbstract
In this paper I problematize the notion of majority/ minority and try to argue that much of this construction can be shown to have links with forms of colonial governmentality in South Asia. Using relevant literature, the paper discusses how categories such as “minority” or “majority” came into being and were normalized through different technologies of power in post‑colonial states such as ours. Such constructions, when taken uncritically, can pose problems for the communities to which they refer. The paper indicates that nomenclature is an important issue and one needs to be careful about the terms they use, as they may have a far‑reaching effect.
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