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Republic of Caste: Thinking Equality in the Time of Neoliberal Hindutva
Commanding in its scope, revelatory and unsparing in argument, Republic of Caste amounts to a new map of post-Independence India. Anand Teltumbde identifies the watershed moments of its journey: from the adoption of a flawed Constitution to the Green Revolution, the OBC upsurge, the rise of regional parties, and up to the nexus of neoliberalism and hindutva in the present day. Joining the dots between a wide range of events on the ground and the prevailing structure of power, he debunks the pieties of state and Constitution, political parties and identitarian rhetoric, to reveal the pernicious energies they have unleashed and their dire impact on India’s most marginalised people, the dalits.
The exclusion and disempowerment of dalits emerges as intrinsic to India’s republican system, whether expressed through state policies on education, agriculture and land ownership, or the tacit encouragement of caste embedded in both law and political practice. Here, the carrot of reservations comes with the stick of atrocities. As a politics of symbolism exploits the fissile nature of caste to devitalise India’s poorest whilst appropriating their votes, Teltumbde’s damning analysis also shows progressive politics a way out of the present impasse.
The exclusion and disempowerment of dalits emerges as intrinsic to India’s republican system, whether expressed through state policies on education, agriculture and land ownership, or the tacit encouragement of caste embedded in both law and political practice. Here, the carrot of reservations comes with the stick of atrocities. As a politics of symbolism exploits the fissile nature of caste to devitalise India’s poorest whilst appropriating their votes, Teltumbde’s damning analysis also shows progressive politics a way out of the present impasse.
432 pages, Paperback
Published December 6, 2018
74 people are currently reading
1425 people want to read
About the author
Anand Teltumbde
22 books111 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 - 30 of 41 reviews
September 26, 2020
This is one of the greatest books ever written on India. Very few books on India actually make the strides in intellectual thought that Teltumbde makes. He articulates a view of India that is situated in the day-to-day disturbing and horrifying reality of India's dalits. Using this as a lens, Teltumbde analyzes India's education, politics, economy, society, revealing the inherent casteist structure that underlies all these systems in India today. He offers a theoretical framework through which we can better understand India. This book is a must read for all those who claim they care about India.
On a side note - The fact that this book has had such a low readership is disappointing and disheartening. I'd bet that more copies of Arundhati Roy's "Broken Republic" or Ta Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me" have been sold in India --- both books on structural discrimination where the former is written by an elite Indian and the latter by an American on racism. For that reason, I would like to urge people to not only read the book themselves but also, encourage others to read it. In a country where intellectual thought has mostly been spearheaded by Brahmanical intellectuals, we have to demand for and support work created by Dalit intellectuals like Teltumbde.
On a side note - The fact that this book has had such a low readership is disappointing and disheartening. I'd bet that more copies of Arundhati Roy's "Broken Republic" or Ta Nehisi Coates' "Between the World and Me" have been sold in India --- both books on structural discrimination where the former is written by an elite Indian and the latter by an American on racism. For that reason, I would like to urge people to not only read the book themselves but also, encourage others to read it. In a country where intellectual thought has mostly been spearheaded by Brahmanical intellectuals, we have to demand for and support work created by Dalit intellectuals like Teltumbde.
January 30, 2021
Wanted to read this book since the day I read Meena Kandasaamy and Jignesh Mevani's article on Anand sir (https://thewire.in/rights/anand-teltu...). Definitely worth it. I think my favorite part of the book was about how extensive and constructive it was. No wonder, he invoked the fear in establishment. Suspicious about some arguments in the book, but definitely opened up an interesting and insightful way for conversations further ahead.
September 2, 2018
A searing commentary on caste, class and the Dalit movement, and the cause and effect of deepening inequality.
Seeing through a prism
This book is not to comfort anyone as social scientist Sunil Khilnani notes in his foreward. Teltumbde spares no one. He slams the leftists who comfortably ignored caste politics confabulating it with class dynamics. He tears through Ambedkarites for overtly celebrating caste identities, reducing him to an “inert godhead”, instead of following Ambedkar’s own vision of annihilation of caste. He dismisses the “Dalit bourgeoisie” for failing to pull out their fellow brethrens. He fumes at the Sangh Parivar and the BJP’s efforts at appropriating Ambedkar. He mocks the Congress and prescribes homework for its president Rahul Gandhi.
Class and caste
The uniqueness of Indian society where the class dynamics is further complicated by the caste layers had flummoxed Marx too. Surprisingly, the two movements, Communism and Dalit activism, though running parallel, never really found a meeting point. Teltumbde dissects this dichotomy. He squarely blames the communists for taking the metaphor of base and superstructure as though it was incontrovertible. He quotes the example of textile mills of Bombay where despite communist control over the workers, the practice of untouchability continued. At the same time he blames Ambedkarites for not participating in land movements, which would have paid richer dividends than reservation.
Seeing through a prism
This book is not to comfort anyone as social scientist Sunil Khilnani notes in his foreward. Teltumbde spares no one. He slams the leftists who comfortably ignored caste politics confabulating it with class dynamics. He tears through Ambedkarites for overtly celebrating caste identities, reducing him to an “inert godhead”, instead of following Ambedkar’s own vision of annihilation of caste. He dismisses the “Dalit bourgeoisie” for failing to pull out their fellow brethrens. He fumes at the Sangh Parivar and the BJP’s efforts at appropriating Ambedkar. He mocks the Congress and prescribes homework for its president Rahul Gandhi.
Class and caste
The uniqueness of Indian society where the class dynamics is further complicated by the caste layers had flummoxed Marx too. Surprisingly, the two movements, Communism and Dalit activism, though running parallel, never really found a meeting point. Teltumbde dissects this dichotomy. He squarely blames the communists for taking the metaphor of base and superstructure as though it was incontrovertible. He quotes the example of textile mills of Bombay where despite communist control over the workers, the practice of untouchability continued. At the same time he blames Ambedkarites for not participating in land movements, which would have paid richer dividends than reservation.
July 11, 2019
I obviously haven't seen Article 15 but I did read in an interview with the director somewhere that he had read Anand Teltumbde's book The Republic of Caste. After reading the book, it does make me slight bit curious for the film only because I am pretty sure that this is not what Teltumbde had in mind when he is discussing the anathema of caste system.
Teltumbde's book is a stirring critique on the caste blindness within Indian society. He does not hold back when he says that the Constitution itself is casteist and non-secular in its outlook. And how atrocities against Dalits continue unabated till present day with no efforts made to improve this situation of violence and ignorance. Moreover, he takes to task how neoliberal reforms and middle class aspirations have further pushed poor Dalits to the margins and refused them an outlet for improving their circumstances. In fact, Teltumbde says that these forces of capitalism mixed with religious jingoism further reinstates caste hierarchies.
Moreover, he goes on to critique the Dalit movement for giving up the ideals of Ambedkar and for allowing him to be reduced to a token Dalit icon. He also hopes for a uniting of Dalit protests with working class movements with an understanding that both share a common ground against the exploitative forces of the casteist bourgeoise who monopolize and deny resources to the poor and the marginalized.
Neither does Teltumbde hesitate to say that reservations represent a very small portion of what Dalit social and political reforms should aspire for. If anything it has created a section of upwardly mobile Dalits who have very little interest in the vast majority of poor Dalits still suffering from age old atrocities. For Teltumbde, a strong representative political outlet that focuses on gaining respect and economic rights to Dalits is the need of the hour. Annihilation and recognition of the evils of caste system is a must if our society has to move forward in any way.
This was such a powerful read. How I wish certain articles from this book would be part of the college curriculum.
#anandteltumbde #republicofcaste #readinglist2019
Teltumbde's book is a stirring critique on the caste blindness within Indian society. He does not hold back when he says that the Constitution itself is casteist and non-secular in its outlook. And how atrocities against Dalits continue unabated till present day with no efforts made to improve this situation of violence and ignorance. Moreover, he takes to task how neoliberal reforms and middle class aspirations have further pushed poor Dalits to the margins and refused them an outlet for improving their circumstances. In fact, Teltumbde says that these forces of capitalism mixed with religious jingoism further reinstates caste hierarchies.
Moreover, he goes on to critique the Dalit movement for giving up the ideals of Ambedkar and for allowing him to be reduced to a token Dalit icon. He also hopes for a uniting of Dalit protests with working class movements with an understanding that both share a common ground against the exploitative forces of the casteist bourgeoise who monopolize and deny resources to the poor and the marginalized.
Neither does Teltumbde hesitate to say that reservations represent a very small portion of what Dalit social and political reforms should aspire for. If anything it has created a section of upwardly mobile Dalits who have very little interest in the vast majority of poor Dalits still suffering from age old atrocities. For Teltumbde, a strong representative political outlet that focuses on gaining respect and economic rights to Dalits is the need of the hour. Annihilation and recognition of the evils of caste system is a must if our society has to move forward in any way.
This was such a powerful read. How I wish certain articles from this book would be part of the college curriculum.
#anandteltumbde #republicofcaste #readinglist2019
April 27, 2022
"While we are given to believe that the Constitution helmed by Babasaheb Ambedkar created a republic that repudiates caste, in reality the republic of India has been constructed on the foundation of caste. Although the lawmakers outlawed untouchability in the Constitution, they skillfully consecrated caste which is the source of untouchability. Caste has thrived and prospered alongside the republic."
In his own words, "Republic of Caste explores how inequality in India is deeply entwined with caste and religion, and how in our times, caste and religious fundamentalism have efficiently colluded with the market to speak the language of majoritarianism." For Teltumbde, the essays are all rooted in our times and deal with issues which may be taken as crucial for our collective survival as a democratic republic." We stand at a juncture of history where the idea of India, as quixotic as it may look, is under serious threat. The book then assumes particular importance, especially as a repository of feasible solutions.
This magnificent collection is expansive, to say the least. The scope it commands is extensive as it examines the various facets of our modern republic, the result of historical as well ongoing processes in specific frames of reference, only to discover something that should be obvious. The pervasiveness of caste, how it undergirds each process and system, and how we all have contributed to the current state of affairs. He is nonpartisan in his criticism and does not hold back. This is a vital, eye-opening, challenging, intellectually stimulating, and important book.
May 26, 2021
The problem of Caste is not new. But for some reason it seems forgotten, casually slipped under the carpet by the leaders of our nation but most importantly by us.
I never did pay much attention to the question of Caste. We upper castes hardly do. This was a painful reality which I had been unwilling to face for a long time.
Only occasionally the issue of caste would come into my life in the ways of how our freedom fighters(especially Gandhi)fought for the abolition of untouchability and the upliftment of the downtrodden. Like many I thought they had done enough for dalits through providing them with reservation and political representation.
How wrong it all seems now. The problem of caste just doesn't seem to leave our nation. Not in the near future for sure.
At first I didn't want to like this book. and thought this was another one of those which would go back into the past and dig out certain events and label certain leaders as casteist/sexist/communalist.(I had my reasons for thinking this way because I was simultaneously reading Debrahmanising History: Dominance and Resistance in Indian Society
). The question of liking it or disliking it seems rather trivial now.
We had expected the question of Caste would go away through the following
1)Reservation in state legislatures/Lok sabha/panchayat/municipalities
2)Reservation in Government jobs/institutions/schools
3)Through their own mobilization and agitation for political representation and for fulfilling their demands(for eg creating their own political parties and organizations who'd fight for them)
4)With the 1991 reforms, we had expected capitalism to be the answer for this problem of discrimination.
This book raises more question than it answers. And the solution that it offers sometimes seem a bit idealistic but it is a start.
To me a sympathetic, reasonable & tolerant government/administration/general population/SC,ST, & OBC population is the way forward. Which is too much to ask these days. Everyone seems at fault here.
As long as basic needs like education and healthcare evade the masses, the question of caste is going to keep haunting certain groups of people.
Even rich and educated Indians take caste for granted, so I don't know how much truth is there in my conviction. But a universally literate population can't be fooled for long as is happening at the moment.
I never did pay much attention to the question of Caste. We upper castes hardly do. This was a painful reality which I had been unwilling to face for a long time.
Only occasionally the issue of caste would come into my life in the ways of how our freedom fighters(especially Gandhi)fought for the abolition of untouchability and the upliftment of the downtrodden. Like many I thought they had done enough for dalits through providing them with reservation and political representation.
How wrong it all seems now. The problem of caste just doesn't seem to leave our nation. Not in the near future for sure.
At first I didn't want to like this book. and thought this was another one of those which would go back into the past and dig out certain events and label certain leaders as casteist/sexist/communalist.(I had my reasons for thinking this way because I was simultaneously reading Debrahmanising History: Dominance and Resistance in Indian Society
). The question of liking it or disliking it seems rather trivial now.
We had expected the question of Caste would go away through the following
1)Reservation in state legislatures/Lok sabha/panchayat/municipalities
2)Reservation in Government jobs/institutions/schools
3)Through their own mobilization and agitation for political representation and for fulfilling their demands(for eg creating their own political parties and organizations who'd fight for them)
4)With the 1991 reforms, we had expected capitalism to be the answer for this problem of discrimination.
This book raises more question than it answers. And the solution that it offers sometimes seem a bit idealistic but it is a start.
To me a sympathetic, reasonable & tolerant government/administration/general population/SC,ST, & OBC population is the way forward. Which is too much to ask these days. Everyone seems at fault here.
As long as basic needs like education and healthcare evade the masses, the question of caste is going to keep haunting certain groups of people.
Even rich and educated Indians take caste for granted, so I don't know how much truth is there in my conviction. But a universally literate population can't be fooled for long as is happening at the moment.
February 8, 2022
What an incredible text. I say text and not book to somehow emphasize that this is a seminal contribution to the literature on caste in India and should be read widely and seriously.
For books I really really like, I usually summarize what the book covers, but given the excellent introduction to the book by the author which does this better than anyone can possibly, I restrict my review to major learnings.
I have been curious about the class vs caste questions. Through my readings of anti-racism movements in the US and anti-caste movements in India, I’ve tried to determine where the overlap lies. On this, the author’s analysis is superb– primarily because he’s fed up with technical and ‘doctrinal’ approaches to the differences. For all practical purposes, the author believes, building on what Ambedkar believed, that the class and caste movements are aligned and not at odds, despite what the communists believed. The author traces Ambedkar’s dislike of the communists for creating a split in caste-class solidarity: mostly that upper caste men, heading the communist movements in India, believed that castes as sub-divisions within classes prevent class solidarity and the consequential proletariat movement.
The author further laments how grassroot anti-caste movements have dissipated, have no coherent ideology, ail from internal contradictions and how mainstream caste leaders have failed the people. The author’s analysis is never in the air, it’s deeply rooted in extremely detailed analysis.
The author boldly questions some very basic approaches in the movement against caste discrimination, bringing out inherent contradictions within the movement and with those trying to co-opt the movement. Through the many contradictions that come out of plain reading of the history of Ambedkar, duly appropriated by whichever side wishes to co-opt him within their ideology, the author guides the reader through the common denominator that underlined Ambedkar’s ideology. In my view, he attempts to portray/reconstruct what ‘Ambedkarism’ would really mean. He then brings out how Ambedkarites themselves are at odds with Ambedkar’s ideology at times, and how other ‘nationalist’ groups co-opting Ambedkar have no conceivable ground to. It’s fascinating to see the author boldly navigate through the ideas of Ambedkarism. His main argument is that Ambedkarism isn’t a school of thought, since Ambedkar’s ideas were pragmatic solutions to existing issues rather than a complete ideology. ‘Liberal’ is the closest ‘tag’ that you can put to it. Beyond this, the author brings out how present followers practice quite the opposite of what he professed.
The author doesn’t assume that reservations are a panacea for all ills. Interestingly, he criticizes reservations for creating resentment that spirals into violence, especially in villages. He also criticizes how the approach of educating and empowering a certain proportion of the SC/ST population hasn’t reaped dividends. He also offers a tangible solution: a non-caste one. Take the nuclear family as the basic unit for reservations and prioritize families that have not yet availed the benefit of reservations. These are interesting solutions that should be considered.
The author addresses caste violence and reservations in detail at the beginning of the book. The instances he narrates are chilling, the upper caste impunities they bring out are stark. He carries out a searing indictment of abuses by the State apparatus when it comes to Dalits in ‘Manufacturing Maoists’. The author brings out how the State machinery creates false cases against Dalits, tribals and dissenters, keeping them in jail for years without bail while freely allowing perpetrators of atrocities to loom large. The author, himself a prisoner today, predicts how the State handles political dissenters.
The book has so much more to offer. There are chapters on how the BSP has fared, what the AAP is offering, what the Congress did and what the BJP tries to do. Education, manual scavenging, Dalit protests and many other themes have been covered. But most importantly, it’s the detailed scrutiny of certain concepts that we take for granted that’s important. There is much to consider. The author’s job is done, it’s for us to take these ideas forward.
For books I really really like, I usually summarize what the book covers, but given the excellent introduction to the book by the author which does this better than anyone can possibly, I restrict my review to major learnings.
I have been curious about the class vs caste questions. Through my readings of anti-racism movements in the US and anti-caste movements in India, I’ve tried to determine where the overlap lies. On this, the author’s analysis is superb– primarily because he’s fed up with technical and ‘doctrinal’ approaches to the differences. For all practical purposes, the author believes, building on what Ambedkar believed, that the class and caste movements are aligned and not at odds, despite what the communists believed. The author traces Ambedkar’s dislike of the communists for creating a split in caste-class solidarity: mostly that upper caste men, heading the communist movements in India, believed that castes as sub-divisions within classes prevent class solidarity and the consequential proletariat movement.
The author further laments how grassroot anti-caste movements have dissipated, have no coherent ideology, ail from internal contradictions and how mainstream caste leaders have failed the people. The author’s analysis is never in the air, it’s deeply rooted in extremely detailed analysis.
The author boldly questions some very basic approaches in the movement against caste discrimination, bringing out inherent contradictions within the movement and with those trying to co-opt the movement. Through the many contradictions that come out of plain reading of the history of Ambedkar, duly appropriated by whichever side wishes to co-opt him within their ideology, the author guides the reader through the common denominator that underlined Ambedkar’s ideology. In my view, he attempts to portray/reconstruct what ‘Ambedkarism’ would really mean. He then brings out how Ambedkarites themselves are at odds with Ambedkar’s ideology at times, and how other ‘nationalist’ groups co-opting Ambedkar have no conceivable ground to. It’s fascinating to see the author boldly navigate through the ideas of Ambedkarism. His main argument is that Ambedkarism isn’t a school of thought, since Ambedkar’s ideas were pragmatic solutions to existing issues rather than a complete ideology. ‘Liberal’ is the closest ‘tag’ that you can put to it. Beyond this, the author brings out how present followers practice quite the opposite of what he professed.
The author doesn’t assume that reservations are a panacea for all ills. Interestingly, he criticizes reservations for creating resentment that spirals into violence, especially in villages. He also criticizes how the approach of educating and empowering a certain proportion of the SC/ST population hasn’t reaped dividends. He also offers a tangible solution: a non-caste one. Take the nuclear family as the basic unit for reservations and prioritize families that have not yet availed the benefit of reservations. These are interesting solutions that should be considered.
The author addresses caste violence and reservations in detail at the beginning of the book. The instances he narrates are chilling, the upper caste impunities they bring out are stark. He carries out a searing indictment of abuses by the State apparatus when it comes to Dalits in ‘Manufacturing Maoists’. The author brings out how the State machinery creates false cases against Dalits, tribals and dissenters, keeping them in jail for years without bail while freely allowing perpetrators of atrocities to loom large. The author, himself a prisoner today, predicts how the State handles political dissenters.
The book has so much more to offer. There are chapters on how the BSP has fared, what the AAP is offering, what the Congress did and what the BJP tries to do. Education, manual scavenging, Dalit protests and many other themes have been covered. But most importantly, it’s the detailed scrutiny of certain concepts that we take for granted that’s important. There is much to consider. The author’s job is done, it’s for us to take these ideas forward.
September 8, 2019
3.5/5 The author’s writing style reminded of Ambedkar and Arun Shourie - forceful arguments presenting a point-of-view well backed by facts and stats. However while Ambedkar and Shourie wrote polemics but considered facts sacred even while being bitter, found the author guilty of fudging facts and assuming the readers’ ignorance. The rating would have been higher but for this. Also, like Arundhati Roy, he seems to have a problem with everything and everybody.
However, a superb book nonetheless that examines various aspects of the lives of the Dalit community and factors that keep them and the other underprivileged communities backward. Worth a read but just be a little aware while reading.
However, a superb book nonetheless that examines various aspects of the lives of the Dalit community and factors that keep them and the other underprivileged communities backward. Worth a read but just be a little aware while reading.
Want to read
December 11, 2022DS422.C3 T45 2018 Memorial Library
August 29, 2021
Professor Dr Anand Teltumbde’s book is an education. Each chapter feels like a class with someone who has studied the subject, researched it and thought coherently and at length about it. In fact, just this one book has taught me more than I ever learnt in school and college on the socio-political and economic history of India.
Professor Teltumbde believes ‘no radical change is possible in India without confronting caste’. And so, confront it, he does, with analyses on a range of topics from reservations, Maoists, distribution of wealth, cleanliness campaigns and political parties and how they have failed the oppressed castes and more. Like I said, it is all a masterclass.
Professor Teltumbde believes ‘no radical change is possible in India without confronting caste’. And so, confront it, he does, with analyses on a range of topics from reservations, Maoists, distribution of wealth, cleanliness campaigns and political parties and how they have failed the oppressed castes and more. Like I said, it is all a masterclass.
December 1, 2020
I do not agree with a lot of sentiments presented in this book regarding Ambedkarites in general, but the all encompassing nature of the text regarding caste creates a special place for itself.
November 18, 2021
Plenty of legalese makes it a difficult read at points. But an important read nonetheless. Couldn't subscribe to everything the author says but definitely opens up interesting perspectives of looking at caste and caste politics in India.
July 18, 2020
Radical.
Essential reading when trying to imagine a better world
Essential reading when trying to imagine a better world
May 14, 2020
It would be unfair to emphasise just a couple of things about this book since it reflects on a range of problems associated with caste system and its consciousness.
A big "behind the scenes" on politics and governance with respect to caste that showcases collective ignorance of the society against dalits.
A big "behind the scenes" on politics and governance with respect to caste that showcases collective ignorance of the society against dalits.
June 5, 2020
"the slightest sign of independent expression from dalits, and the state descends upon them with brute force, incriminates them as naxalites, incarcerates them for years, and even kills them with impunity"
it is horrid that anand teltumbde himself (and other civil rights activists mentioned in the book) has been labelled 'maoists / terrorists' and arrested under the UAPA (unlawful activities prevention act) - a repressive act which gives complete authority for the state to deal with political dissenters as it sees fit, leaving the indicted people legally defenseless. https://theowp.org/anand-teltumbde-ar...
the book is organized as 13 essays, of which the first three elaborately discuss and critique reservations, the leftist movement's neglect in seeing caste as a base in india's social structure and the ambedkarite movement's disinclination to engage in class consolidation - all of which feel quite blasphemous, if you're familiar with the current social justice discourse. anand teltumbde digs deep down and doesn't flinch from elucidating what all he sees as stagnant and counterproductive strategies in these socio-political movements.
the book talks in detail about the state's complicity in violent atrocities against the dalit people via inefficient redressal mechanisms, the politics behind government's manufacture of maoists and naxalites in adivasi regions, and the increasing attempts to appropriate ambedkar by right wing hindu nationalism - the literal antithesis of all that he stood against.
the essay on the education sector in india is truly brilliant! it paints an overarching picture of the structure of pre-primary education, formal schooling and universities, and how liberalization of this sector is failing india's children, inspite of the paper-perfect RTE (right to education) act.
teltumbde writes a rousing account of the nature of protests organized by dalit people in the aftermath of una violence and sees it a radical departure from focusing on abstract goals to demands that seek to change material reality. his castigation of the notion that neoliberal capitalism could uplift the caste-oppressed people as social darwinism is point-on. he doesn't spare the 'liberal' political parties like congress, BSP or AAP from valid criticisms of using a shallow anti-caste angle (among others) to gain power but doing zilch to bring structural changes to protect the lives of the marginalised or erode away the caste structure.
this books was an engaging read, and it flopped down for me a tiny bit past the middle, but the next essay subsumed any lingering ennui. and when the last paragraph of the last essay rolled in, i couldn't believe that the book had actually ended. it was that good! i wish there were an account like this specific to tamil nadu.
if you are a person who has never faced social or systematic discrimination because of the caste you were born into, i urge you to be aware of those privileges and make use of it to educate yourself about the system, and live against caste/ism.
it is horrid that anand teltumbde himself (and other civil rights activists mentioned in the book) has been labelled 'maoists / terrorists' and arrested under the UAPA (unlawful activities prevention act) - a repressive act which gives complete authority for the state to deal with political dissenters as it sees fit, leaving the indicted people legally defenseless. https://theowp.org/anand-teltumbde-ar...
the book is organized as 13 essays, of which the first three elaborately discuss and critique reservations, the leftist movement's neglect in seeing caste as a base in india's social structure and the ambedkarite movement's disinclination to engage in class consolidation - all of which feel quite blasphemous, if you're familiar with the current social justice discourse. anand teltumbde digs deep down and doesn't flinch from elucidating what all he sees as stagnant and counterproductive strategies in these socio-political movements.
the book talks in detail about the state's complicity in violent atrocities against the dalit people via inefficient redressal mechanisms, the politics behind government's manufacture of maoists and naxalites in adivasi regions, and the increasing attempts to appropriate ambedkar by right wing hindu nationalism - the literal antithesis of all that he stood against.
the essay on the education sector in india is truly brilliant! it paints an overarching picture of the structure of pre-primary education, formal schooling and universities, and how liberalization of this sector is failing india's children, inspite of the paper-perfect RTE (right to education) act.
teltumbde writes a rousing account of the nature of protests organized by dalit people in the aftermath of una violence and sees it a radical departure from focusing on abstract goals to demands that seek to change material reality. his castigation of the notion that neoliberal capitalism could uplift the caste-oppressed people as social darwinism is point-on. he doesn't spare the 'liberal' political parties like congress, BSP or AAP from valid criticisms of using a shallow anti-caste angle (among others) to gain power but doing zilch to bring structural changes to protect the lives of the marginalised or erode away the caste structure.
this books was an engaging read, and it flopped down for me a tiny bit past the middle, but the next essay subsumed any lingering ennui. and when the last paragraph of the last essay rolled in, i couldn't believe that the book had actually ended. it was that good! i wish there were an account like this specific to tamil nadu.
if you are a person who has never faced social or systematic discrimination because of the caste you were born into, i urge you to be aware of those privileges and make use of it to educate yourself about the system, and live against caste/ism.
June 30, 2020
Anand Teltumbde's "Republic of Caste" is essentially based on Teltumbde’s columns in Economic and Political Weekly, or EPW. Teltumbde himself is widely acknowledged as a formidable public intellectual. For example, Mint Lounge said that this book established Teltumbde as a “cerebral annihilator of caste.”
And honestly, the book’s essays prove that. If you’re looking to understand caste in the India of NOW – the India of Dalit protests in Gujarat and what they mean, neoliberalism, Hindutva, AAP and BSP and of course, reservations, then this book is for you.
It gives you an in-depth and a well-argued perspective, which also, importantly, looks forward as to what can, and should be. As Teltumbde writes, all the thirteen essays in the book “looks at how inequality is deeply entwined with caste and religion, and how in our times, both caste and religious fundamentalism have colluded with the market to speak the language of majoritarianism.”
And Teltumbde doesn’t shy away from making some uncomfortable points. Like when he argues why Ambedkar wouldn’t have agreed with a construction of Ambekarism, or why BSP’s electoral success is antithetical to an annihilation of caste. Or why we need to acknowledge the difference in the theoretical ideas of caste and class in India. An important read to understand the India of 2020. (Which is an India, which would arrest the author of this book too.) Highly recommend.
And honestly, the book’s essays prove that. If you’re looking to understand caste in the India of NOW – the India of Dalit protests in Gujarat and what they mean, neoliberalism, Hindutva, AAP and BSP and of course, reservations, then this book is for you.
It gives you an in-depth and a well-argued perspective, which also, importantly, looks forward as to what can, and should be. As Teltumbde writes, all the thirteen essays in the book “looks at how inequality is deeply entwined with caste and religion, and how in our times, both caste and religious fundamentalism have colluded with the market to speak the language of majoritarianism.”
And Teltumbde doesn’t shy away from making some uncomfortable points. Like when he argues why Ambedkar wouldn’t have agreed with a construction of Ambekarism, or why BSP’s electoral success is antithetical to an annihilation of caste. Or why we need to acknowledge the difference in the theoretical ideas of caste and class in India. An important read to understand the India of 2020. (Which is an India, which would arrest the author of this book too.) Highly recommend.
August 31, 2020
So, I FINALLY finished reading this book last night. AAAAAAAAH. 'Finally' because a) it was not an easy read. b) It's pretty big And c) —which is main— I suddenly went into a reading block for many days while reading it. This book is AN IMPORTANT BOOK. The book is radical. Anand Teltumbde's writing is as unapologetic as his grandfather in law Babasaheb Ambedkar. It deserves more reading. More, more, more attention. Anand Teltumbde discusses in this book on various topics ranging from reservation to atrocities on Dalits to BJP to RSS to BSP to Swach Bharat to congress to AAP to various other topics — all through the spectacle with two glasses that are caste and class, and he doesn't flinch even a bit to criticise whomever he deems worthy of criticism. If you want to really know and really see the gigantic ferocious monster that is the caste system and its barbarism — instead of prioritising the books by Savarna intellectuals, read books by Dalit intellectuals. Like Anand Teltumbde. I will do, too. PLS READ THIS BOOK!
November 27, 2022
This is a fantastic book for many reasons.
The first reason is that Anand Teltumbde is a critical thinking person who's put everybody through the lens of reason, intent and impact. Whether it's Ambedkar or reservations nobody is above critique and criticism which also busts the stereotype of calling him a Dalit intellectual. What is Ambedkarism? If you read Arun Shourie's Worshipping False Gods you will understand the reasons behind the statements cited in that book on why he felt like burning the constitution. Anand cites data to show how neoliberal structures are built on exploitative caste lines as are political parties which use both economics and politics to keep the power away from the have nots. The analysis on BSP, Kanshi Ram and Mayawati was truly amazing and explained the often cited Karishma of BSP/Mayawati wielding power in UP. The best thing through the book though is the illustration of the fact that the constitution which was supposed to have safeguards to protect the vulnerable has only re-enforced caste lines and been used to exploit the oppressed castes even more. The one thing I find missing at length though is detailed context leading up to the constitution being abandoned by Ambedkar. It would have been useful to have both sides of the story here.
I strongly recommend this book to those who wish to learn more about the privilege that they enjoy and how this privilege coupled with the holy book of the constitution continues to keep power in the hands of a privileged minority.
The first reason is that Anand Teltumbde is a critical thinking person who's put everybody through the lens of reason, intent and impact. Whether it's Ambedkar or reservations nobody is above critique and criticism which also busts the stereotype of calling him a Dalit intellectual. What is Ambedkarism? If you read Arun Shourie's Worshipping False Gods you will understand the reasons behind the statements cited in that book on why he felt like burning the constitution. Anand cites data to show how neoliberal structures are built on exploitative caste lines as are political parties which use both economics and politics to keep the power away from the have nots. The analysis on BSP, Kanshi Ram and Mayawati was truly amazing and explained the often cited Karishma of BSP/Mayawati wielding power in UP. The best thing through the book though is the illustration of the fact that the constitution which was supposed to have safeguards to protect the vulnerable has only re-enforced caste lines and been used to exploit the oppressed castes even more. The one thing I find missing at length though is detailed context leading up to the constitution being abandoned by Ambedkar. It would have been useful to have both sides of the story here.
I strongly recommend this book to those who wish to learn more about the privilege that they enjoy and how this privilege coupled with the holy book of the constitution continues to keep power in the hands of a privileged minority.
February 11, 2024
Castes are inherently divisive, they can never integrate. Nor can they be equalised.
This book should be required reading for everyone to understand what caste is and the nature of how caste is weaved into the social fabric that makes the country. The book demonstrates how the existence and propagation of caste inevitably leads to violence.
Prof Teltumbde takes us through the history from Ambedkar's disagreement with Marxist intellectuals focusing on class instead of caste, to Congress govt's apathy to dismantling a casteist society, the era of the Dalit panthers and the rise of neoliberalism.
How the current govt and their majoritarian politics along with a neoliberal agenda has weaponised UAPA and cracked the whip more than any other previous govt. Prof. Teltumbde almost predicts his own arrest which ultimately happened in 2020 while talking about the arrest of public intellectuals in the past.
All this and more in this raw book with incisive analysis.
To say that dalits need escape velocity in order to succeed is a primary-level blunder committed by most analysts in explaining the vexatious problem of caste, which he simply repeats. It should be clear why it is not the dalits but the Indian social structure that needs escape velocity to overcome caste.
This book should be required reading for everyone to understand what caste is and the nature of how caste is weaved into the social fabric that makes the country. The book demonstrates how the existence and propagation of caste inevitably leads to violence.
Prof Teltumbde takes us through the history from Ambedkar's disagreement with Marxist intellectuals focusing on class instead of caste, to Congress govt's apathy to dismantling a casteist society, the era of the Dalit panthers and the rise of neoliberalism.
How the current govt and their majoritarian politics along with a neoliberal agenda has weaponised UAPA and cracked the whip more than any other previous govt. Prof. Teltumbde almost predicts his own arrest which ultimately happened in 2020 while talking about the arrest of public intellectuals in the past.
All this and more in this raw book with incisive analysis.
To say that dalits need escape velocity in order to succeed is a primary-level blunder committed by most analysts in explaining the vexatious problem of caste, which he simply repeats. It should be clear why it is not the dalits but the Indian social structure that needs escape velocity to overcome caste.
January 6, 2026
Anand Teltumbde says India is on paper a Republic.
However, in reality, it is a republic of Caste.
This book explains, how and why Caste survived in India.
This book to me, comes as a series of invigorating Polemics on Caste and against political party.
While Caste is part of India's social fabric, I don't deny it is not there, affects every Indian.
Throughout the work, I wondered, "Okay, what do I do?"
He says, "any politics of change must confront caste, and caste/class must be treated together"
I think, the only platform for this is political party, where they can confront caste, yet it is also the state which promotes caste, as all Indians are issued caste certificate.
To me, it is easy to write polemical works.
I am a realist, Unfortunately, He has no proper solutions nor compares with other Social fabrics of the world. Men have equal rights, not equal talents, which is why we will have inequality materially. This inequality topic has been addressed by all writers ranging from Aristotle and Rousseau to Marx, Rawls, Amartya Sen, and Piketty, all with wide spectrum.
I think, What I wanted from, Anand Teltumbde was comparison with other societies and more actionable uplifting institution-building proposals, that could reduce caste-based exclusion in practice.
However, in reality, it is a republic of Caste.
This book explains, how and why Caste survived in India.
This book to me, comes as a series of invigorating Polemics on Caste and against political party.
While Caste is part of India's social fabric, I don't deny it is not there, affects every Indian.
Throughout the work, I wondered, "Okay, what do I do?"
He says, "any politics of change must confront caste, and caste/class must be treated together"
I think, the only platform for this is political party, where they can confront caste, yet it is also the state which promotes caste, as all Indians are issued caste certificate.
To me, it is easy to write polemical works.
I am a realist, Unfortunately, He has no proper solutions nor compares with other Social fabrics of the world. Men have equal rights, not equal talents, which is why we will have inequality materially. This inequality topic has been addressed by all writers ranging from Aristotle and Rousseau to Marx, Rawls, Amartya Sen, and Piketty, all with wide spectrum.
I think, What I wanted from, Anand Teltumbde was comparison with other societies and more actionable uplifting institution-building proposals, that could reduce caste-based exclusion in practice.
August 3, 2020
It was with a bleeding heart that I read this book, as during the time of reading, Anand Teltumbde was in jail on allegations of being a ' maoist'. The words in this book, that the State will manufacture Maoists out of anyone who dares to question to advocate the rights of marginalized, sounded ominous. This is a powerful book, which highlights that the problems afflicting India are closely ties with the problem of caste. Drawing from his immense wealth of experience in social activism, Teltumbde says that no real development in India is possible without addressing the deeply rooted caste consciousness. In that sense, the book can be a sequel to Ambedkar's 'The Annihilation of Caste'. Teltumbde established the inextricable link between the rise of Hindutva politics and neo liberal crony capitalism. This is an unsettling book and is like a splash of water thrown at your sleepy consciousness.
November 9, 2021
Such a fulfilling, comprehensive read. Teltumbde writes about Indian politics, society and economy with much clarity, and offers new ways to think about India’s persistent problems.
Much of the book deals with caste, as the title evinces, and even as he meanders through a variety of topics he manages to weave caste into them all, signifying its pervasiveness in Indian society. He writes critically, of the State, of the middle class, of different political ideologies and parties in contemporary India, not shying away from even pointing out the faults of the post-Independence Ambedkarite movements. Teltumbde’s diverse background also allows him to put forth a very compelling class-caste dialectic as an alternative framework to challenge the status-quo.
Though I am sceptical about certain arguments made by the author, on the whole, Republic of Caste is an excellent read that I would recommend.
Much of the book deals with caste, as the title evinces, and even as he meanders through a variety of topics he manages to weave caste into them all, signifying its pervasiveness in Indian society. He writes critically, of the State, of the middle class, of different political ideologies and parties in contemporary India, not shying away from even pointing out the faults of the post-Independence Ambedkarite movements. Teltumbde’s diverse background also allows him to put forth a very compelling class-caste dialectic as an alternative framework to challenge the status-quo.
Though I am sceptical about certain arguments made by the author, on the whole, Republic of Caste is an excellent read that I would recommend.
February 23, 2026
Went in with the expectations of understanding the framework of how caste works in Modern India, but unfortunately, that's limited primarily to just the first few chapters. After that, most of the book, till the last three chapters on BSP, Rahul Gandhi and AAP, is mostly a litany of incidents across different time periods that, while horrific and familiar (if you are tuned into the news), don't add to your understanding of the underlying system.
If you are moderately aware of caste in India-why, how and where it works-you won't learn much once you get past the discussion of Marxism and Ambedkarism.
If you are moderately aware of caste in India-why, how and where it works-you won't learn much once you get past the discussion of Marxism and Ambedkarism.
April 18, 2020
I wanted to read just the introduction but continued to read the whole book because it's flair is so scintillating. Teltumbde doesn't rock the ship but he questions the expediency of Indian masses in their leniency towards status quoist politics. Bereft of the Cynicism of Arundhati Roy and questioning the political acumen of giants like Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram, the writer offers his observations in a very clear cut and nuanced manner. A very good read for all who wants to get an prejudiced picture of present Indian Society.
April 27, 2024
This book is FIRE. It's quite eerie to read to read his book post his (wrongful, draconian) arrest - to see the State's and police's ire against him, literally acting similar to the very words he describes. His chapter on Reservation is quite possibly, one the best summaries/observations on reservation I have read.
November 25, 2020
Insightful!
Emphasises the need to integrate Dalit activism with Communism and vice versa because dalits are the organic proletariat.
Also exposes how Neoliberalism exploits the downtrodden especially the dalits by forming faction with Hindutva forces.
Emphasises the need to integrate Dalit activism with Communism and vice versa because dalits are the organic proletariat.
Also exposes how Neoliberalism exploits the downtrodden especially the dalits by forming faction with Hindutva forces.
June 2, 2022
A nuanced and in-depth work on caste and its trysts with identity and politics.
Its also a large enough book to smack your relatives on the head when they launch into classic boomer anti-reservation tirades.
Its also a large enough book to smack your relatives on the head when they launch into classic boomer anti-reservation tirades.
August 9, 2024
Brilliant set of essays by one of the finest intellectual in India exposing the rot of caste culture in Indian society and politics, explaining the thought process of Ambedkar and his influences, demystifying the Constitution and what it truly enables, explicating a real need for a genuine unified anti class and anti caste politics in all walks of life. Teltumbde's words are fire!
October 13, 2018
A must read for all progressive Indians
November 15, 2018
golden liquid fire; gobbled down like a circus clown
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