Identity and Identity Politics in the Context of Minority Rights: A Conceptual Framework

Article Information
Journal: An Open Access Peer Reviewed International Journal
Volume: II | Issue: 29 | Year: 2026
Pages: 303–313
DOI: https://doi.org/
Received: 10 July 2026
Accepted: 15 July 2026
Published: 3rd August 2026
ISSN: 2278-9758

Abstract
The paper explores the relationship between identity, identity politics, and minority rights in the backdrop of democratic and plural societies. It examines the formation and politicisation of identities in response to marginalisation and exclusion of particular communities or individuals. The paper develops a conceptual framework of identity politics, highlighting the role of recognition, accommodation, and inclusion in shaping a tolerant and democratic culture. The mobilisation of particular identities and the seeking of state response to address grievances are strategies adopted by specific groups to contest exclusion, claim recognition, and seek political rights. The study does not adopt an empirical case study but follows a conceptual approach to clarify key debates surrounding identity politics, including recognition versus redistribution, universalism versus particularism, and empowerment versus fragmentation. It argues that a thorough understanding of identity politics as a dynamic and fluid process is essential for addressing minority rights in multicultural societies. The study concludes that the reconciliation of identity-based claims within a democratic framework is a hallmark of inclusive governance and democratic institutions.

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