Dividing Dalits: Writings on Sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes

Book Details:

• Author / Editor: Yagati Chinna Rao

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2009

• ISBN: 9788131602546

• Pages: 377

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches

• Release Date: 01-12-2009

About the Book:
Caste as a category has played a significant role in the study of Indian politics for decades. Traditionally, caste has been a central source of collective identity in the socio-political landscape. However, in contemporary India, which is undergoing rapid modernization, the focus has shifted from caste to sub-caste, particularly in the politics of Dalits.

This pioneering volume traces the turning point in Dalit collective consciousness by examining the sub-categorization of Scheduled Castes. It offers a comprehensive overview of debates that have emerged over the last decade in popular media and academic discourse. The book balances critical analysis with guarded political commentary, presenting heterogeneous voices that provide nuanced insights into this crucial topic.

Key highlights of the book include:

• Analysis of sub-caste dominance in modern Dalit politics

• Critical exploration of collective identity shifts

• Perspectives on policy debates and socio-political implications of sub-categorization

This book will be of immense value to sociologists, political scientists, researchers, and policy analysts studying caste, social justice, and political transformations in India.

About the Author / Editor:
Yagati Chinna Rao is an Associate Professor at the Programme for the Study of Discrimination and Exclusion, School of Social Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. He has previously served as:

• Faculty at Dr. K.R. Narayanan Centre for Dalit and Minorities Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia

• Visiting Fellow at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland

• Member-Secretary, Indian Council of Historical Research (ICHR)

He has authored and edited several notable works, including:

• Dalits’ Struggle for Identity (2003)

• Dalit Studies: A Bibliographical Handbook (2003)

• Writing Dalit History and Other Essays (2007)

• Perspectives on Economic Development and Social Change (2009)

His scholarship focuses on Dalit studies, social exclusion, and modern Indian socio-political history.