Social Justice: An Overview of Indian Perspective

Different ideas have been developed by different theorist about the idea of social justice. Some western literature found this idea unnecessary while some found it necessary to maintain coherence in society. Justice, in opinion of Plato, is based on duties while Aristotle‟s justice is somehow based on rights. Justice has a moral rather than legal content in idea of Plato. Western libertarian thinkers like Nozick, Hayek etc. find the idea of social justice unnecessary. They support minimum-interference of state in individual life. They advocate that distribution of resources should be based on merit. Another western thinker John Rawls states that everyone has equality of liberty. It means that one can do what he/she wants to do according to his/her choice. But, he also supports some special programmes for disadvantage sections of society. Indian theorist also has their own opinion about social justice. Some ideas support the caste system in Indian society and advocates that justice should be based on dharma/duties of caste system. But some others criticize caste system and discrimination on the basis of caste system.