Spatial Segregation and Systemic Exclusion: The Case of Jamia Nagar
28-11-2024
Abstract
This article examines Jamia Nagar, a predominantly Muslim neighbourhood in South Delhi, often labelled a 'Muslim ghetto.' The study interrogates this label by exploring Jamia Nagar's dual identity as both a refuge from communal violence and a symbol of marginalisation and segregation. It traces the historical and socio-political roots of its ghettoisation, highlights the neglect by state authorities, and delves into the lived experiences of its residents to illustrate the economic, social, and psychological challenges they face. Additionally, the article discusses the impacts of stigmatisation and discrimination, particularly on women and youth, and underscores the resilience displayed by the community through local organisations. Finally, the article provides policy recommendations for inclusive urban planning, eliminating housing discrimination, and enhancing educational and employment opportunities. These findings are contextualised within a broader global framework of systemic exclusion and urban marginalisation, offering comparative insights.
Introduction
Jamia Nagar, situated in South Delhi, is often described as a 'Muslim ghetto'—a label that encapsulates both safety and stigma for its residents (Jaffrelot, 2015). For many, the area offers a critical refuge from communal violence and systemic discrimination against Muslims in the larger societal framework. However, this perceived sanctuary also symbolises a form of enforced spatial segregation and exclusion that is deeply rooted in India's socio-political landscape (Jaffrelot & Gayer, 2012). The term' ghetto,' as applied to Muslim-majority areas like Jamia Nagar, carries implications tied to a history of communal tensions, targeted violence, and discriminatory urban planning. This article delves into the lived experiences of Jamia Nagar's residents to highlight how forced segregation affects their socio-economic opportunities, psychological well-being, and access to resources (Ali, 2022).
Jamia Nagar's designation as a ghetto is not unique; it illustrates a broader pattern of systemic exclusion within Indian cities, where marginalised communities, especially Muslims, are increasingly relegated to urban peripheries or under-resourced areas. This marginalisation results from a complex interplay of socio-political forces, including housing discrimination, biased urban policies, and communal identities that restrict the movement and inclusion of Muslim communities within 'mainstream urban spaces' (Government of India, 2006). These forces contribute to the formation of segregated neighbourhoods with limited employment opportunities, educational facilities, and healthcare services, resulting in cycles of socio-economic stagnation.
Analysing the intersection of urban planning, social policies, and communal identities is essential to understanding the multi-faceted impact of ghettoisation on Jamia Nagar's residents. This article seeks not only to examine the challenges faced by this community but also to illuminate the resilience and agency of its residents, who navigate constraints imposed by systemic exclusion. It underscores the urgent need for inclusive urban policies and targeted interventions to address the structural inequalities facing marginalised neighbourhoods across India.
The Roots of Ghettoisation
The term' ghettoisation,' originally associated with Jewish ghettos in Europe, is increasingly applicable to Muslim-majority areas in India. For instance, Mumbra, which emerged as India's first Muslim-majority neighbourhood in the aftermath of the 1993 violence (Peer, 2015), marks the beginning of this trend. A decade later, Juhapura became Gujarat's Muslim ghetto (Jaffrelot, 2015), reflecting similar patterns. Even fifteen years after such upheavals, Indian Muslims continue to struggle with the prospect of leaving these ghettoised communities (Dupont, 2004). The process of ghettoisation, which first took root in Mumbra, gradually spread to other metropolitan centres, becoming an entrenched practice.
The development of Muslim-majority areas highlights a unique convergence of communal violence, discriminatory housing practices, and socio-political neglect. The ghettoisation of Jamia Nagar, for example, can be traced back to the communal riots of the 1980s and 1990s, culminating in the Gujarat riots of 2002. These events forced many Muslim families to relocate to areas like Jamia Nagar, seeking refuge in predominantly Muslim communities to escape the violence and discrimination that were prevalent in mixed neighbourhoods (Crenshaw, 1991).
While these communities offered a degree of safety, they also faced increasing isolation due to discriminatory housing practices. The Sachar Committee Report and independent research indicate that Muslims, particularly in areas like Jamia Nagar, face significant discrimination when renting or purchasing property outside these designated neighbourhoods (Bhat, 2020). This exclusion from mainstream urban spaces reinforces a cycle of segregation, limiting access to resources, social integration, and economic opportunities.
Scholars like Wacquant (2007) suggest that ghettoisation is not merely a spatial phenomenon but a product of structural forces encompassing racial, economic, and political inequalities. In Jamia Nagar, state policies of neglect and exclusion have perpetuated this marginalisation, contributing to the neighbourhood's socio-political dynamics (Government of India, 2006).
Spatial segregation in Jamia Nagar can also be understood through the lens of ethnic enclave economies, which posit that marginalised communities develop their own socio-economic structures when excluded from broader markets (Marcuse, 1997). This dynamic is evident in the proliferation of small local businesses—shops, restaurants, and informal economies—as well as private jobs, construction work, and community networks. A significant portion of the population engages in daily wage labour, small-scale trading, and service-oriented occupations, reflecting the economic realities of the region (Mhaskar, 2018). These activities function as survival mechanisms for residents while simultaneously reinforcing the enclave's separation from the wider city.
State Neglect and Lack of Infrastructure
A central issue facing Jamia Nagar is inadequate infrastructure and public services, a result of state neglect. Poorly maintained roads, inadequate sanitation, and unreliable utilities contribute to substandard living conditions that further isolate the community. The inadequate drainage system, for instance, leads to frequent flooding during monsoons, exacerbating the neighbourhood's infrastructural deficits.
Public health services in Jamia Nagar need to be developed more. With minimal healthcare facilities and only Public Dispensary —Batla House (established in 1986-87)[1]and Shaheen Bagh (established in 2015)—to serve a large population, residents often struggle to access basic medical care, which further entrenches poverty and health inequities (OXFAM, 2021). This neglect reflects broader patterns of urban planning in India, where Muslim-majority neighbourhoods are systematically underfunded and overlooked.
Stigmatisation and Everyday Discrimination
Beyond physical and infrastructural challenges, Jamia Nagar residents face constant stigmatisation and discrimination. Stereotyped as 'outsiders' or 'terrorists,' Muslims in Jamia Nagar are often racially profiled, especially Muslim men, who are singled out by law enforcement. This stigmatisation, amplified by media portrayals of Muslim-majority areas as hotbeds of radicalism and crime, further isolates Jamia Nagar's residents from the urban mainstream.
Erving Goffman's (1963) concept of stigma is useful for understanding how the negative labels applied to Jamia Nagar residents create a self-fulfilling prophecy. The stigma shapes how outsiders perceive residents, limiting their access to mainstream opportunities and reinforcing socio-economic disadvantages.
Challenges for Women and Youth
Women in Jamia Nagar experience compounded marginalisation due to gender and religious identity. Many reports feeling confined to their homes due to safety concerns, particularly after dark, while cultural norms restrict their mobility further, limiting their access to education, employment, and public life (Ali, 2022).
Youth in Jamia Nagar face similar challenges. Although Jamia Millia Islamia offers some educational opportunities, the stigma attached to the area often limits young people's chances for upward mobility. Discrimination in the labour market reinforces their exclusion (Thorat & Attewell, 2007), while the community's isolation limits access to professional networks, reducing opportunities for mentorship and career advancement.
Community Resilience and Social Organisation
Despite these challenges, Jamia Nagar is a space of resilience. A few religious organisations, local grassroots organisations and NGOs provide essential services such as educational support, healthcare, and vocational training, fostering solidarity and a counter-narrative to the isolation and stigmatisation faced by residents (Liu et al., 2021). These community organisations mitigate marginalisation by equipping residents with tools and resources to improve their socio-economic conditions.
Policy Recommendations
Comparative Perspectives: Jamia Nagar and Global Ghettos
Jamia Nagar’s residents face challenges similar to those of marginalised communities worldwide. African-American neighborhoods in the United States and the banlieues in France, for instance, experience similar patterns of segregation and neglect. These examples highlight ghettoisation as a global issue of systemic exclusion transcending national borders.
Conclusion
Jamia Nagar’s residents face challenges similar to those of marginalised communities worldwide. African-American neighborhoods in the United States and the banlieues in France, for instance, experience similar patterns of segregation and neglect. These examples highlight ghettoisation as a global issue of systemic exclusion transcending national borders. Jamia Nagar serves as both a refuge and a forced segregated settlement. While offering safety and solidarity, it remains a site of exclusion and marginalisation. Addressing the challenges of ghettoisation in Jamia Nagar requires urgent, inclusive policies that foster integration and equity, ensuring that marginalised communities in India—and beyond—can access the resources and opportunities necessary for socio-economic advancement.
