Ross Mallick. Development, Ethnicity and Human Rights in South Asia. New Delhi: Sage Publications, 1998. Hardbound. Indian Rs 425.00. 375 pages.

Abstract

South Asia, where almost half of the world poor live, has one of the worst records of human rights. It is happening even in India, which has the credit of being the most democratic of all the states in South Asia. In the background of these violations of human rights are the strong cultural values which have resulted in caste and class-like divisions in society. The elite in the region, with access to power and (scarce) resources, are so integrated within the system that they can easily prevent any benefits and resources from reaching the poor.