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Dalits: Past, present and future
This book is a comprehensive introduction to dalits in India (who comprise over one-sixth of the country’s population) from the origins of caste system to the present day. Despite a plethora of provisions for affirmative action in the Indian Constitution, dalits are largely excluded from the mainstream except for a minuscule section. The book traces the multifarious changes that befell them during the colonial period and their development thereafter under the leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the centre of political arena. It looks at hitherto unexplored aspects of the degeneration of the dalit movement during the post-Ambedkar period, as well as salient contemporary issues such as the rise of the Bahujan Samaj Party, dalit capitalism, the occupation of dalit discourse by NGOs, neoliberalism and its impact, and the various implicit or explicit emancipation schemas thrown up by them. The work also discusses ideology, strategy and tactics of the dalit movement; touches upon one of the most contentious issues of increasing divergence between the dalit and Marxist movements; and delineates the role of the state, both colonial and post-colonial, in shaping dalit politics in particular ways.
A tour de force, this book brings to the fore many key contemporary concerns and will be of great interest to students, scholars and teachers of politics and political economy, sociology, history, social exclusion studies and the general reader.
A tour de force, this book brings to the fore many key contemporary concerns and will be of great interest to students, scholars and teachers of politics and political economy, sociology, history, social exclusion studies and the general reader.
189 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 19, 2016
7 people are currently reading
198 people want to read
About the author
Anand Teltumbde
21 books108 followersAnand Teltumbde is a leading public intellectual and is known for his critical insights on many a contemporary issue. A civil rights activist of long standing, he is currently General Secretary of the Committee for Protection of Democratic Rights (CPDR). He is also associated with the All India Forum for Rights to Education (AIFRTE), which is spearheading the movement for common school system, as a member of its Presidium and many other Peoples’ movements.
A regular contributor to Economic and Political Weekly, wherein he writes a monthly column ‘Margin Speak’. He also regularly contributes to other progressive journals like Mainstream, Frontier, Seminar, etc. and most English and Marathi newspapers.
Some of his recent books are Dalits: past, Present and Future (Routledge, 2016), Mahad: Making of the First Dalit Revolt (Aakar, 2016), Persistence of Caste (Zed Books, 2010); Khairlanji: A Strange and Bitter Crop (Navayana, 2008); Anti-Imperialism and Annihilation of Castes (Ramai, 2005); and Hindutva and Dalits: Perspectives for Understanding Communal Praxis, (Ed) (Samya, 2005). He is widely translated into most Indian languages.
He has been a CEO of a holding company. After his corporate stint, he joined IIT, Kharagpur, where he teaches Business Management.
A regular contributor to Economic and Political Weekly, wherein he writes a monthly column ‘Margin Speak’. He also regularly contributes to other progressive journals like Mainstream, Frontier, Seminar, etc. and most English and Marathi newspapers.
Some of his recent books are Dalits: past, Present and Future (Routledge, 2016), Mahad: Making of the First Dalit Revolt (Aakar, 2016), Persistence of Caste (Zed Books, 2010); Khairlanji: A Strange and Bitter Crop (Navayana, 2008); Anti-Imperialism and Annihilation of Castes (Ramai, 2005); and Hindutva and Dalits: Perspectives for Understanding Communal Praxis, (Ed) (Samya, 2005). He is widely translated into most Indian languages.
He has been a CEO of a holding company. After his corporate stint, he joined IIT, Kharagpur, where he teaches Business Management.
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
October 19, 2024
it took me way too long to finish reading this but it was absolutely worth it
March 15, 2021
This could have been such an amazing compendium of social mobility and emancipation of Dalits but for the last chapter and many more instances where the activist in Mr. Teltumbde overshadowed the author and academician in him.
It did bring into light some more questions pertaining to the Dalit identity, politicization of caste, Dalit agitation, organization and a promised emancipation. This book must be read along with either talks or books of Chandra Bhan Prasad, the champion of Dalit entrepreneurship and Dalit capitalism to present a much better picture of the whole situation in current context.
A decent read nonetheless.
It did bring into light some more questions pertaining to the Dalit identity, politicization of caste, Dalit agitation, organization and a promised emancipation. This book must be read along with either talks or books of Chandra Bhan Prasad, the champion of Dalit entrepreneurship and Dalit capitalism to present a much better picture of the whole situation in current context.
A decent read nonetheless.
July 16, 2025
Anand Teltumbde is one of the foremost scholars we have today and his examination of Caste and the way it shapes Indian politics with a class framework makes this an essential read.
July 5, 2024
The first chapter titled “Introduction” contains interesting statistics on Dalits demography, their socioeconomic profile. It also addresses on “Is Dalit a viable identity”
The chapter on “Caste Context” addresses the origins of caste. For those interested on this issue, I would recommend Babasaheb’s work “The Untouchables - Who were they and why they became Untouchables. It also discusses how Dalits find it difficult to hide their identities even in Urban areas.
Chapter 2 deals with “Anti Caste Developments”, and the portion on the importance of East India Company Army job in upliftment of Dalits is an interesting read based on facts.
Chapter 3 is titled “Pre Ambedkar Movements of Dalits” . Babasaheb was the game changer in the history of Dalits. The Namasudra movement in Bengal finds a mention. The truly inspiring leaders before the arrival of Ambedkar are Jyoti Bhai Phule, Gopal Baba Walgankar, Shivram Janba Kamble, Janoji Kachurji Khandare, Kisan Fagoji Bansode, Ganesh Akkaji Gawai, Jyoti Thass Pandithar, Thatha Retamalai Srinivasan, Swami Achutanand Parihar, Babu Mangu Ram, and Ayyankali.
Chapter 4 is titled “Dalit Movement Under Ambedkar” is the heart of this work. The sub-chapters on “Turn Towards Politics”, and “Class-Caste dilemma”showcases Babasaheb’s astuteness. “Mounting Frustration” is an eye opener if you didn’t know what happened to Babasaheb after he wrote the Constitution. If you’re interested in knowing the full story, I suggest reading “What Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables” by Dr BR Ambedkar.
Chapter 5 “Post Ambedkar Movements of Dalits” deals with how subsequent Dalit leadership squandered the advantages that could have been derived by Dalits becoming a political force on their own, instead of aligning with a diverse interests political party.
Chapter 9 that deals with “New Trends among Dalits”; and Chapter 11 “Whither Dalit Emancipation” has to be read by the upper middle class/ middle class Dalits to understand their own hypocrisies.
This book is a must read for this class of Dalits who are more upper caste, than the upper caste themselves.
The chapter on “Caste Context” addresses the origins of caste. For those interested on this issue, I would recommend Babasaheb’s work “The Untouchables - Who were they and why they became Untouchables. It also discusses how Dalits find it difficult to hide their identities even in Urban areas.
Chapter 2 deals with “Anti Caste Developments”, and the portion on the importance of East India Company Army job in upliftment of Dalits is an interesting read based on facts.
Chapter 3 is titled “Pre Ambedkar Movements of Dalits” . Babasaheb was the game changer in the history of Dalits. The Namasudra movement in Bengal finds a mention. The truly inspiring leaders before the arrival of Ambedkar are Jyoti Bhai Phule, Gopal Baba Walgankar, Shivram Janba Kamble, Janoji Kachurji Khandare, Kisan Fagoji Bansode, Ganesh Akkaji Gawai, Jyoti Thass Pandithar, Thatha Retamalai Srinivasan, Swami Achutanand Parihar, Babu Mangu Ram, and Ayyankali.
Chapter 4 is titled “Dalit Movement Under Ambedkar” is the heart of this work. The sub-chapters on “Turn Towards Politics”, and “Class-Caste dilemma”showcases Babasaheb’s astuteness. “Mounting Frustration” is an eye opener if you didn’t know what happened to Babasaheb after he wrote the Constitution. If you’re interested in knowing the full story, I suggest reading “What Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables” by Dr BR Ambedkar.
Chapter 5 “Post Ambedkar Movements of Dalits” deals with how subsequent Dalit leadership squandered the advantages that could have been derived by Dalits becoming a political force on their own, instead of aligning with a diverse interests political party.
Chapter 9 that deals with “New Trends among Dalits”; and Chapter 11 “Whither Dalit Emancipation” has to be read by the upper middle class/ middle class Dalits to understand their own hypocrisies.
This book is a must read for this class of Dalits who are more upper caste, than the upper caste themselves.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 19, 2022
So to say a concise history and vision of a broken or in harsh word, broked by the upper caste, distinct vison and dichotomy for the 'other' or low born.
A good piece to start considering the roots of caste biasness. Written with profound understanding with exactness of historical facts.
A good piece to start considering the roots of caste biasness. Written with profound understanding with exactness of historical facts.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews