Changing Dalits: Exploration Across Time

Book Details

• Author: P. S. Judge

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2010

• ISBN: 813160361X

• Pages: 248

• Cover: Hardcover

• Package Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.7 x 0.6 inches

About the Book

This study covers three decades of the social landscape, focusing on the Dalits—a marginalized group—within post-colonial India. The transformation among Dalits has been inconsistent across regions and castes, with some more mobile than others. This mobility was often due to favourable historical and social conditions, particularly in Punjab, which was the first state to undergo an agricultural revolution that transformed the agrarian scenario.

With improving economic conditions, declining poverty levels, and emigration to foreign countries, the Dalits of Punjab underwent an economic transformation, leading to the emergence of new social classes within castes. However, despite these economic improvements, social upliftment remained an elusive dream, with upper-caste resistance continuing to block true social inclusion.

While Sikhism helped reduce caste untouchability and exclusion in religious spaces, especially in gurdwaras, social inclusion was still not achieved. As a result, Dalits shifted their focus from fighting for caste equality to asserting their Dalit identity, a process most notably pronounced among the Ad-dharmis. The Ad-dharmis, no longer focused on a casteless society, instead aim for social equality through the assertion of their caste identity. However, many other Dalit castes continue to face discrimination and exclusion, with the struggle for social equality embedded in asymmetrical economic relations.

Recent events suggest a growing conflict between upper castes and Dalits, especially over religious issues. This book provides a detailed examination of the shifting contours of the Dalit struggle for their rightful place in Punjabi society.

Contents
(Contents list here)

About the Author:
Paramjit S. Judge is a Professor of Sociology and Coordinator of the Centre for the Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar. His academic work and publications focus on social movements, diaspora studies, and historical sociology. His notable writings include “Insurrection to Agitation: Naxalite Movement in Punjab” (co-authored), “Terrorism in Punjab: Understanding Grassroots Reality” (co-authored), “Religion, Identity, and Nationhood: The Sikh Militant Movement,” “Punjabis in Canada, Reconstructing Identities” (co-edited), and “Mapping Dalits” (co-authored).