Caste, Tribe and Gender: Politics of Self and the Other

Book Details

• Author: Vulli Dhanaraju

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2017

• ISBN: 9788131608296

• Pages: 264

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.6 inches

About the Book

In recent years, the politics of the 'self' and the 'other' have become a central subject of academic discussions, particularly in the study of subaltern identities. This book engages deeply with these critical questions: What constitutes identity? How are subaltern identities different from others? And how is the 'self' contested with the 'other'? In addressing these inquiries, the book explores the complex dynamics of caste, tribe, and gender, and how they arise from the continual reshaping of ‘otherness’ within the fabric of society.

It examines the nature of social subordination and its various forms in the context of structural hegemony that exists in different manifestations within Indian society. The interaction between the state, social identities, and self-identities creates the framework in which social hegemony is exercised. Social marginalization, contestation, and discrimination have been persistent in Indian society, but the emergence of self-respect movements and the social network revolution post-1980s have led to significant transformations in the social identity movements, challenging many long-standing forms of social discrimination.

The book also delves into the evolving gender discourse, particularly due to the rise of the feminist movement after India’s independence. Women have increasingly participated in collective actions, asserting their leadership, ideologies, and demands for a dignified position in all spheres of life.

Divided into four thematic sections—Politics of Self and Other; Caste and Tribe; Gender; and Other Marginal Identities and Politics—the book provides a comprehensive exploration of these crucial issues. With contributions from various scholars, it touches on both historical and contemporary aspects of identity movements and social change.