Noted sociologist Surinder Jodhka has pointed out that India’s elite have increasingly grown comfortable with inequality, a situation that reflects the growing acceptance of social and economic divides in the country. He argues that while inequality in wealth, education, and opportunity has deepened over the years, those in privileged positions have normalised these gaps instead of questioning or working to reduce them. This indifference has led to a society where inequality is not just visible but widely accepted.
I am writing about this because the subject of inequality touches almost every Indian household in some way. For some, it means struggling to get basic access to education, healthcare, or fair employment. For others, especially the upper classes, it often means benefitting from structures that keep inequality alive. I feel it is important to discuss Jodhka’s observations because they highlight a worrying trend — the widening gap between rich and poor, urban and rural, and privileged and marginalised. Talking about this issue is necessary not just for academic debate but for shaping public awareness. If we fail to understand how inequality is being normalised, we risk allowing it to become permanent, making upward mobility a distant dream for millions.
Inequality and its acceptance in Indian society
Jodhka explains that inequality in India is not simply economic; it is deeply tied to caste, class, and social hierarchies. While urban centres boast luxury housing, private schools, and exclusive healthcare facilities, millions still lack basic needs. Yet, this sharp contrast has failed to disturb the conscience of the elite, who treat inequality as part of the natural order.
The role of caste and social divides
Caste continues to play a decisive role in how inequality is structured in India. Access to education, jobs, and even social respect is influenced by caste location. Reservation policies were meant to reduce these divides, but Jodhka argues that the elite often oppose such measures while ignoring their own privileges. This selective resistance shows how inequality is maintained through both silence and opposition.
Economic growth and uneven distribution
India’s rapid economic growth has created billionaires and global companies, but the benefits have not reached everyone. A small section of the population controls most of the wealth while a majority struggles with rising costs, unemployment, and limited access to resources. The elite, instead of questioning this imbalance, often see it as proof of merit or personal success, ignoring structural disadvantages faced by others.
Normalisation of privilege
One of Jodhka’s strongest points is that the elite in India no longer feel discomfort when faced with visible inequality. For example:
- Exclusive private schools and gated communities exist side by side with underfunded government schools and informal settlements.
- High-end healthcare is available for the rich, while the poor depend on overburdened public hospitals.
- The top 10 percent of earners continue to expand their wealth while wages for ordinary workers stagnate.
This shows how privilege has been internalised as normal rather than seen as unfair.
Why this matters for India’s future
If inequality continues to be ignored, it will affect not just the poor but the country as a whole. A society where mobility is limited and privileges are inherited rather than earned will face rising discontent, social unrest, and reduced productivity. For India to grow inclusively, the elite need to recognise their role and responsibility in shaping a more equal society.
