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Caste Matters
In this explosive book, Suraj Yengde, a first-generation Dalit scholar educated across continents, challenges deep-seated beliefs about caste and unpacks its many layers.
He describes his gut-wrenching experiences of growing up in a Dalit basti, the multiple humiliations suffered by Dalits on a daily basis, and their incredible resilience enabled by love and humour. As he brings to light the immovable glass ceiling that exists for Dalits even in politics, bureaucracy and judiciary, Yengde provides an unflinchingly honest account of divisions within the Dalit community itself—from their internal caste divisions to the conduct of elite Dalits and their tokenized forms of modern-day untouchability—all operating under the inescapable influences of Brahminical doctrines.
This path-breaking book reveals how caste crushes human creativity and is disturbingly similar to other forms of oppression, such as race, class and gender. At once a reflection on inequality and a call to arms, Caste Matters argues that until Dalits lay claim to power and Brahmins join hands against Brahminism to effect real transformation, caste will continue to matter.
He describes his gut-wrenching experiences of growing up in a Dalit basti, the multiple humiliations suffered by Dalits on a daily basis, and their incredible resilience enabled by love and humour. As he brings to light the immovable glass ceiling that exists for Dalits even in politics, bureaucracy and judiciary, Yengde provides an unflinchingly honest account of divisions within the Dalit community itself—from their internal caste divisions to the conduct of elite Dalits and their tokenized forms of modern-day untouchability—all operating under the inescapable influences of Brahminical doctrines.
This path-breaking book reveals how caste crushes human creativity and is disturbingly similar to other forms of oppression, such as race, class and gender. At once a reflection on inequality and a call to arms, Caste Matters argues that until Dalits lay claim to power and Brahmins join hands against Brahminism to effect real transformation, caste will continue to matter.
304 pages, Hardcover
Published July 22, 2019
219 people are currently reading
2367 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
August 25, 2019
Very disappointed with the book. Does nothing to advance the Dalit intellectual tradition. A long litany of complaints against Brahmins, essentially based on writings of Dr. Ambedkar. Essentially aimed at a western audience. Intended to shock them into acknowledging the plights of Indian Dalits. Has practically nothing for the informed reader.
December 25, 2019
As a non dalit reading this book, one can get an idea of the atrocities committed on the dalits in the present day. It presents the picture based on facts and figures on how the caste discrimination continues. Where it lacks is in giving a solution to the age old problem. As the writer is young I expect many more works on the subject will come out with time. Overall a good read.
December 28, 2020
I got halfway thru this book and decided to give up. Written very college professor like and sentences left me baffled. The author seem to blame everyone on the planet for Dalit conditions. I'm not sure some of the comments were just meant to insult those who tried to improve the conditions.
November 28, 2020
“Caste will matter until it is done away with", writes Suraj Yengde in the new book which he has authored (earlier he had edited a book along with Anand Teltumbade). His call for the inclusion of the issue of casteism in the popular global social movements is an attempt to take the Dalit movement at the global level (the writer uses the term “Dalit" for the Scheduled Castes of India which are considered “untouchable”). Unsurprisingly this is natural for a young scholar who has studied in four different continents namely Asia, Africa, Europe and America. He carries one of the most coveted tags of being a “Harvard Scholar". He comes from the epicentre of Dalit resistance viz. Maharashtra, where Dalit icon Dr B.R.Ambedkar had churned the Dalit masses in the 20th century.
During his stay in America, he was attracted to the Black Movement, therefore he was influenced by the Black intellectuals like DuBois and Cornell West. Quite naturally the title of his book is inspired by Cornell West's book “Race Matters"(1993). But the book does not do complete justice to the title, it explores the lives of Dalits (Atishudras) only and not the “Shudra" castes who are placed above Dalits but lower than the three “higher" Varnas. Yet it offers some first-hand experiences and fresh data for explaining why caste matters.
It is difficult to categorize this book into one rigid genre, as it sometimes looks like an “ethnography of the sociality of caste", as the author proclaims, sometimes as an autobiography, sometimes as a travelogue, sometimes a call for action by an activist and at other times a critique of Dalit movement. Suffice it to say that it’s a non-fiction genre.
This book contains six different chapters. Introduction to this book describes, among other things, life in a Dalit ghetto in a city. It shows how difficult the life of an untouchable is in the cities. Having done petty jobs in childhood, the author has experienced the life of a lower class Dalit in India. Therefore, one will find an attempt to find a “class-based solution for all castes" in this book. In the first chapter, he explains how “Dalit love",” Dalit humour" and “Dalit universalism" are filled with richness, as they are displayed by a perpetually oppressed community which is naturally expected to harbour only anger and hatred on account of its previous horrendous experiences. He cites rich “Dalit love" as a reason behind the non-violent nature of the Dalit movement. One incidence that he mentions in this chapter makes a deep imprint on our minds, where he narrates how his Sindhi friend called Surekha Bhotmange as a “slut"(Surekha was brutally raped by “upper caste" men in Khairlanji, Maharashtra).
In the second chapter after trying to show casteism in different institutions of India, he ventures into some difficult territory, namely the constitution of India. Telling the inadequacy of Indian constitution to solve the problem of untouchability he writes, "Constitutionalism has proved to be an unreliable doctrine to influence perpetrators of casteism." This is because of "the inadequacies of legal provisions in the absence of society’s willingness to acknowledge its prejudices." He laments questioning of patriotism of Dalits and neglect of Ambedkar's contributions to different fields like economics. He doesn't quite like the "emancipation" attempts of "outsiders" like Lincoln and Gandhi, rather he wants "liberation" from the inside. This section shows the inconsistency in this book because in the very book he has devoted a chapter for appealing to such "outsider" Brahmins to work for the cause of Dalits. Also, he forgets to explain in detail the very title of this second chapter "neo-Dalit rising". He neither explains the meaning of the term "neo-Dalit" nor the "why and how" part of this rise.
In the third chapter he has categorized Dalits into different categories, but they often overlap with each other and there is no empirical ground for such categorization. But it gives a first-hand look into different shades of Dalits. And it is quite a remarkable critique of the Dalit movement, which was the need of the time. What gives pain to the readers is the instances mentioned in this chapter wherein the children of "third-generation educated Dalits" do not have much empathy with the Dalit cause. He has tried to address the intersectionality of caste and gender by citing the experience of Baby Kamble(a working-class Dalit woman) and Jhalkari Bai(who had fought in 1857 by disguising herself as Rani Laxmi Bai). By citing Baby Kamble's example the author accepts patriarchy within the Dalit community. He has pitched against the worship of the cult of Ambedkar.
In the fourth chapter, he has provided criticism of Dalit middle class, showing both positive and negative aspects. The fifth chapter looks more dogmatic than empirical. He says that it’s either "Dalit" or "capitalism", it can never be "Dalit capitalism ", as Dalit stands for fight against oppression and capitalism perpetuates oppression. He should have shown only the limitations of capitalism in solving the Dalit problem, but he rather adopts dogmatic stand in outright rejection of capitalism. Dr Ambedkar was in favour of industrialization to solve Dalit question. And state socialism has largely failed in sustainable industrialization in former USSR and Peoples Republic of China. So, it is debatable to what extent Yengde's rejection of capitalism helps the Dalit cause.
The last chapter is an exhortation to the Brahmins to fight against Brahmanism. For this, he gives examples from history where many Brahmins had fought alongside Phule and Ambedkar. Detailed examples of such people will be new to non-Marathi readers. This is well in line with the difference that Ambedkar made between "Brahmins" and "Brahmana"(Brahmanism). Dr Ambedkar was against Brahmanya and not against Brahmins. ]
Throughout the book, one will find the latest data, different references to his statements, attempt to address the intersectionality between caste, class and gender. They will be helpful in further discourses on Dalits. Major strengths of this book include its global perspective and bottom-up perspective of Suraj Yengde as he has "lived experiences" of a lower-class Dalit. Some academic discipline is lacking in Yengde's assertions.e.g. he conclusively says that Brahmins have created the caste system, whereas Dr Ambedkar says otherwise in his thesis "Castes in India". Historians do not have solid well-documented proofs about the origins of the caste system. Barring such limitations, this book is a good read, recommended for all people interested in the society of India and global social movements. We are most likely to see more such valuable contributions from Suraj in the field of Dalit movement, he is a very promising author-activist of this era.
Submitted by,
Anurag Singh
During his stay in America, he was attracted to the Black Movement, therefore he was influenced by the Black intellectuals like DuBois and Cornell West. Quite naturally the title of his book is inspired by Cornell West's book “Race Matters"(1993). But the book does not do complete justice to the title, it explores the lives of Dalits (Atishudras) only and not the “Shudra" castes who are placed above Dalits but lower than the three “higher" Varnas. Yet it offers some first-hand experiences and fresh data for explaining why caste matters.
It is difficult to categorize this book into one rigid genre, as it sometimes looks like an “ethnography of the sociality of caste", as the author proclaims, sometimes as an autobiography, sometimes as a travelogue, sometimes a call for action by an activist and at other times a critique of Dalit movement. Suffice it to say that it’s a non-fiction genre.
This book contains six different chapters. Introduction to this book describes, among other things, life in a Dalit ghetto in a city. It shows how difficult the life of an untouchable is in the cities. Having done petty jobs in childhood, the author has experienced the life of a lower class Dalit in India. Therefore, one will find an attempt to find a “class-based solution for all castes" in this book. In the first chapter, he explains how “Dalit love",” Dalit humour" and “Dalit universalism" are filled with richness, as they are displayed by a perpetually oppressed community which is naturally expected to harbour only anger and hatred on account of its previous horrendous experiences. He cites rich “Dalit love" as a reason behind the non-violent nature of the Dalit movement. One incidence that he mentions in this chapter makes a deep imprint on our minds, where he narrates how his Sindhi friend called Surekha Bhotmange as a “slut"(Surekha was brutally raped by “upper caste" men in Khairlanji, Maharashtra).
In the second chapter after trying to show casteism in different institutions of India, he ventures into some difficult territory, namely the constitution of India. Telling the inadequacy of Indian constitution to solve the problem of untouchability he writes, "Constitutionalism has proved to be an unreliable doctrine to influence perpetrators of casteism." This is because of "the inadequacies of legal provisions in the absence of society’s willingness to acknowledge its prejudices." He laments questioning of patriotism of Dalits and neglect of Ambedkar's contributions to different fields like economics. He doesn't quite like the "emancipation" attempts of "outsiders" like Lincoln and Gandhi, rather he wants "liberation" from the inside. This section shows the inconsistency in this book because in the very book he has devoted a chapter for appealing to such "outsider" Brahmins to work for the cause of Dalits. Also, he forgets to explain in detail the very title of this second chapter "neo-Dalit rising". He neither explains the meaning of the term "neo-Dalit" nor the "why and how" part of this rise.
In the third chapter he has categorized Dalits into different categories, but they often overlap with each other and there is no empirical ground for such categorization. But it gives a first-hand look into different shades of Dalits. And it is quite a remarkable critique of the Dalit movement, which was the need of the time. What gives pain to the readers is the instances mentioned in this chapter wherein the children of "third-generation educated Dalits" do not have much empathy with the Dalit cause. He has tried to address the intersectionality of caste and gender by citing the experience of Baby Kamble(a working-class Dalit woman) and Jhalkari Bai(who had fought in 1857 by disguising herself as Rani Laxmi Bai). By citing Baby Kamble's example the author accepts patriarchy within the Dalit community. He has pitched against the worship of the cult of Ambedkar.
In the fourth chapter, he has provided criticism of Dalit middle class, showing both positive and negative aspects. The fifth chapter looks more dogmatic than empirical. He says that it’s either "Dalit" or "capitalism", it can never be "Dalit capitalism ", as Dalit stands for fight against oppression and capitalism perpetuates oppression. He should have shown only the limitations of capitalism in solving the Dalit problem, but he rather adopts dogmatic stand in outright rejection of capitalism. Dr Ambedkar was in favour of industrialization to solve Dalit question. And state socialism has largely failed in sustainable industrialization in former USSR and Peoples Republic of China. So, it is debatable to what extent Yengde's rejection of capitalism helps the Dalit cause.
The last chapter is an exhortation to the Brahmins to fight against Brahmanism. For this, he gives examples from history where many Brahmins had fought alongside Phule and Ambedkar. Detailed examples of such people will be new to non-Marathi readers. This is well in line with the difference that Ambedkar made between "Brahmins" and "Brahmana"(Brahmanism). Dr Ambedkar was against Brahmanya and not against Brahmins. ]
Throughout the book, one will find the latest data, different references to his statements, attempt to address the intersectionality between caste, class and gender. They will be helpful in further discourses on Dalits. Major strengths of this book include its global perspective and bottom-up perspective of Suraj Yengde as he has "lived experiences" of a lower-class Dalit. Some academic discipline is lacking in Yengde's assertions.e.g. he conclusively says that Brahmins have created the caste system, whereas Dr Ambedkar says otherwise in his thesis "Castes in India". Historians do not have solid well-documented proofs about the origins of the caste system. Barring such limitations, this book is a good read, recommended for all people interested in the society of India and global social movements. We are most likely to see more such valuable contributions from Suraj in the field of Dalit movement, he is a very promising author-activist of this era.
Submitted by,
Anurag Singh
July 26, 2020
I expected this book to be a memoir like Ants among elephants. But it was much more. It is a memoir sometimes. Sometimes it is an academic study of effects of caste discrimination but at others, it is a manifesto for a radical Dalit politics. Yengde's arguments and call for a radical Dalit politics are compelling. In today's political climate, radical is often connected to extremism. But Yengde makes it clear that this "radicalness" is more about love and inclusiveness.
Yengde also effectively peels the multiple layers of the caste system. Explaining the caste hegemony in various walks of life from politics to journalism, Yengde destroys the misconception that caste discrimination is merely an economic problem.
Recommended read for all Indians!
Yengde also effectively peels the multiple layers of the caste system. Explaining the caste hegemony in various walks of life from politics to journalism, Yengde destroys the misconception that caste discrimination is merely an economic problem.
Recommended read for all Indians!
August 16, 2020
Essential learning and unlearning.
An excellent (and uncomfortable) book that demands to be read.
However, it’s academic and not an ideal primer (which I was seeking though it worked out well for me). Take your time (I read it over 3 months alongside other books) and consume this slowly but consciously.
An excellent (and uncomfortable) book that demands to be read.
However, it’s academic and not an ideal primer (which I was seeking though it worked out well for me). Take your time (I read it over 3 months alongside other books) and consume this slowly but consciously.
October 29, 2021
I was really looking forward to reading this book and learning from Yengde's stories and expertise. To be honest, though, the more I read it, the more redundant and verbose it felt--which is a shame, because I support his message so strongly and want to advocate for people with stories like his. It needed to be less than 100 pages, in my opinion, and it needed to be much more accessible to the everyday reader who didn't go to grad school at Harvard. Important message, but unfortunately, poor delivery. [Please note that this review is coming from an American reader and that it therefore may be biased toward more American modes of rhetoric and style.]
June 4, 2020
I picked up this book after learning about the author from one of my friends. His strong opinion about Dalit reforms is what attracted me to this book.
Caste-based discrimination and oppression are not gaining global attention because unlike gender and race, it is not physically distinguishable. To add to this, a lot of people belonging to oppressed caste/class choose to hide their caste when they are in positions of power.
The books opening chapter is Being a Dailt where the author gives some of his personal experiences of living as a secondary in a world where a Brahmin and his universality are primary. The chapter Dalit love shows the forgiving power that is inbuilt in a Dalit.
Dalit Capitalism talks about how capitalism need not necessarily emancipate Dalits because, in India, market space is also segregated based on caste lines. The last chapter Brahmins against Brahminism is a call to action to all brahmins to stand up against caste discrimination.
The researches that went behind this book is notable. I am sure this will be an uncomfortable read if you are from a savarna class. But also a must-read if you belong to the class.
Caste-based discrimination and oppression are not gaining global attention because unlike gender and race, it is not physically distinguishable. To add to this, a lot of people belonging to oppressed caste/class choose to hide their caste when they are in positions of power.
The books opening chapter is Being a Dailt where the author gives some of his personal experiences of living as a secondary in a world where a Brahmin and his universality are primary. The chapter Dalit love shows the forgiving power that is inbuilt in a Dalit.
Dalit Capitalism talks about how capitalism need not necessarily emancipate Dalits because, in India, market space is also segregated based on caste lines. The last chapter Brahmins against Brahminism is a call to action to all brahmins to stand up against caste discrimination.
The researches that went behind this book is notable. I am sure this will be an uncomfortable read if you are from a savarna class. But also a must-read if you belong to the class.
May 24, 2021
This is an important book. Four stars because I thought the language, in parts, was excessively academic. I distinctly remember reading the phrase "nihilistic conduit" and thinking wow.... could the author not have said it differently? Maybe I'm being pedantic about writing style without appreciating each person communicates uniquely... (I would be remiss if I didn't say the language is not majorly abstruse.)
October 23, 2020
#BookReview
Caste Matters by Dr. Suraj Yengde
If you try searching for the genre of this book on Google or Goodreads, the answer that is thrown up is "Autobiography". But when I picked up this book, I found that it isn't as much of an autobiography as it is a call for action, a manifesto if you will.
I had seen an interview of Dr. Yengde where he says, "I challenge every Indian to take their own shit in their hands and hold it for a few seconds. You won't be able to do it. And you expect others to get into your shit and clean it for you." That was one heck of a statement and he blew me away with his candour. This book came on my radar soon after.
Dr. Yengde knows his content well, no doubt about that at all. Caste Matters gives a great deal of information into the historical caste system, and how it is practised even today. This book is a treasure trove of insights: known, forgotten and suppressed. The passion towards the cause is evident. His tidbits about Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Shridhar Pant Tilak, Jhalkaribai and many such others are a revelation. Dr. Yengde doesn't mince words when he slams traditional Brahmin supremacists for their baseless superiority complex.
There are so many instances in this book that will shock you out of your comfort level. For someone like me, an urban citizen from a non-Hindu background who doesn't even understand the various Hindu castes, this book was an eye-opener into how deeply rooted the caste issue actually is and how people allow it to dominate their behaviour even in the 21st century. I now understand what "privilege" truly means.
But...
What I was expecting from this book was another Isabel Wilkerson. What I got was a Yuval Noah Harari. Now before you jump up in excitement and rush to order the book, let me admit that I'm not a Yuval Noah Harari fan. Just like Harari, Yengde sees facts from a one-sided perspective and indulges in too much generalisation. The author takes only those facts that support his hypothesis and ignores all others. I wouldn't exactly blame him for doing so, but to take a few instances of injustice and extrapolating it as being representative of the entire "upper caste" community is not right. (Or am I being too idealistic here? 😕)
Dr. Yengde also comes off as extremely leftist/socialist in his approach. (Yeah, I don't agree with socialist thinking. So you could chalk this down as my mental barrier instead of as a flaw with the book.) His statements are self-contradictory too at times. For instance, he advocates an increase in reservations and at the same time, claims that the only beneficiaries of reservations are the "Dalit Bourgeoisie" and not the untouchables. To raise a clarion call for "Dalit Liberation" and demand additional reservations does not seem to be the optimum solution. I was more into the inclusivity idea but Dr. Yengde claims that inclusivity doesn't work well for those in the lower strata.😞
To sum up, the book is a must-read in terms of the facts it provides and the issues it raises but not to be followed blindly in terms of the solutions it proffers. All our citizens need to work in unison if we have to take the country to a better future. Putting any one caste above the other will not result in long-term harmony. In fact, it is better we stop thinking and segregating in terms of caste and instead thinking in terms of "underprivileged" citizens being given the same rights and opportunities as the privileged ones, no matter what their caste or religion.
*************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
Caste Matters by Dr. Suraj Yengde
If you try searching for the genre of this book on Google or Goodreads, the answer that is thrown up is "Autobiography". But when I picked up this book, I found that it isn't as much of an autobiography as it is a call for action, a manifesto if you will.
I had seen an interview of Dr. Yengde where he says, "I challenge every Indian to take their own shit in their hands and hold it for a few seconds. You won't be able to do it. And you expect others to get into your shit and clean it for you." That was one heck of a statement and he blew me away with his candour. This book came on my radar soon after.
Dr. Yengde knows his content well, no doubt about that at all. Caste Matters gives a great deal of information into the historical caste system, and how it is practised even today. This book is a treasure trove of insights: known, forgotten and suppressed. The passion towards the cause is evident. His tidbits about Ambedkar, Jyotirao Phule, Shridhar Pant Tilak, Jhalkaribai and many such others are a revelation. Dr. Yengde doesn't mince words when he slams traditional Brahmin supremacists for their baseless superiority complex.
There are so many instances in this book that will shock you out of your comfort level. For someone like me, an urban citizen from a non-Hindu background who doesn't even understand the various Hindu castes, this book was an eye-opener into how deeply rooted the caste issue actually is and how people allow it to dominate their behaviour even in the 21st century. I now understand what "privilege" truly means.
But...
What I was expecting from this book was another Isabel Wilkerson. What I got was a Yuval Noah Harari. Now before you jump up in excitement and rush to order the book, let me admit that I'm not a Yuval Noah Harari fan. Just like Harari, Yengde sees facts from a one-sided perspective and indulges in too much generalisation. The author takes only those facts that support his hypothesis and ignores all others. I wouldn't exactly blame him for doing so, but to take a few instances of injustice and extrapolating it as being representative of the entire "upper caste" community is not right. (Or am I being too idealistic here? 😕)
Dr. Yengde also comes off as extremely leftist/socialist in his approach. (Yeah, I don't agree with socialist thinking. So you could chalk this down as my mental barrier instead of as a flaw with the book.) His statements are self-contradictory too at times. For instance, he advocates an increase in reservations and at the same time, claims that the only beneficiaries of reservations are the "Dalit Bourgeoisie" and not the untouchables. To raise a clarion call for "Dalit Liberation" and demand additional reservations does not seem to be the optimum solution. I was more into the inclusivity idea but Dr. Yengde claims that inclusivity doesn't work well for those in the lower strata.😞
To sum up, the book is a must-read in terms of the facts it provides and the issues it raises but not to be followed blindly in terms of the solutions it proffers. All our citizens need to work in unison if we have to take the country to a better future. Putting any one caste above the other will not result in long-term harmony. In fact, it is better we stop thinking and segregating in terms of caste and instead thinking in terms of "underprivileged" citizens being given the same rights and opportunities as the privileged ones, no matter what their caste or religion.
*************************************
Join me on the Facebook group, Readers Forever! , for more reviews, book-related discussions and fun.
December 21, 2020
This book is a must-read for the whole South Asian community. Both a searing analysis of the facts and a moving narrative of the author's experience, it lays out the many horrors of the "wheel of dominance" and how millions of people are suffering under the doctrines of caste. Those who dismiss this as a "rural" issue ignore the enormous disparities present in every aspect of Indian society. Moreover, Dalits are often the focus of modern understandings of caste, but how many of us have looked in the mirror and acknowledged how caste has shaped us and our thinking?
This is certainly an academic text, thick with jargon and occasionally repetitive. As a member of the diaspora, my limited knowledge of Indian politics often hampered my full understanding of the book. But that demonstrates the need for me to dive deeper into my knowledge of casteism, while also doing more to speak up and publicly decry the caste system.
Having seen Dr. Yengde speak, and learning of the harassment, alienation, prejudice, and humiliation he has endured here in the U.S. in speaking out against casteism, it is clear that even the diaspora has a crucial role to play in the future of the subcontinent. We can begin here, now.
This is certainly an academic text, thick with jargon and occasionally repetitive. As a member of the diaspora, my limited knowledge of Indian politics often hampered my full understanding of the book. But that demonstrates the need for me to dive deeper into my knowledge of casteism, while also doing more to speak up and publicly decry the caste system.
Having seen Dr. Yengde speak, and learning of the harassment, alienation, prejudice, and humiliation he has endured here in the U.S. in speaking out against casteism, it is clear that even the diaspora has a crucial role to play in the future of the subcontinent. We can begin here, now.
April 20, 2022
How to make the world a better place? this question is an unanswerable one, there is no one bullet that will do.
Why should it even matter in today's world, what is your name, Sur name, caste, gotra, "rang thoda gehra hai", this nonsensical thing. why does it matter?
I could go on and on but let's talk about the book. So for me it is a reminder of what is a prevalent caste system in India and it does impact everyone and the non inclusion of so many people to economy, to country peace, and over-all, what are we missing here?
We should start with the gross happiness index at least.
It's not just the Indian caste system, one form of or other there is discriminations around the globe. It's sad but let's hope for a better future.
Why should it even matter in today's world, what is your name, Sur name, caste, gotra, "rang thoda gehra hai", this nonsensical thing. why does it matter?
I could go on and on but let's talk about the book. So for me it is a reminder of what is a prevalent caste system in India and it does impact everyone and the non inclusion of so many people to economy, to country peace, and over-all, what are we missing here?
We should start with the gross happiness index at least.
It's not just the Indian caste system, one form of or other there is discriminations around the globe. It's sad but let's hope for a better future.
April 11, 2021
While most of the arguments are well researched and compelling, I am not really convinced with his views on non-radical/middle-class Dalits. A lot of undue resentment is directed towards the Dalits who can't afford to be political.
June 16, 2022
I.learnt.so.much. I would read it again and then AGAIN just to learn and understand more about Caste and Caste System in India.
January 27, 2021
A sweeping panorama of the situation of India’s Dalits, the history of anti-caste movements, typologies, or ‘castegories’, of both Dalits and Brahmins based on their stances vis-à-vis caste, critiques of Dalit politics, Dalit academics and ‘Dalit capitalism’ interspersed with personal experiences and perspectives. And a glimpse into the question of how, in the face of relentless oppression, discrimination, exploitation, othering and violence Dalits persist with their everyday lives and the struggle for equality with humour, love and yes, anger.
April 6, 2021
3.5 stars. Some sections made me feel ashamed that I'm from a Brahmin family - they were so hard-hitting! I also loved the bits of memoir in the book. The last chapter is a call to action to Brahmins and I read it TWICE!
However, some parts were a bit lengthy and dare I say, boring. I'm not interested in stats and numbers so the author lost me there. But that may light someone else's fire! He could have given more examples of Dalit culture - food, festivals, deities etc.
Overall, I have mixed feelings but I'm glad I read this book.
However, some parts were a bit lengthy and dare I say, boring. I'm not interested in stats and numbers so the author lost me there. But that may light someone else's fire! He could have given more examples of Dalit culture - food, festivals, deities etc.
Overall, I have mixed feelings but I'm glad I read this book.
Read
December 30, 2022Not a review but a list of what I learned:
1. Dalit politics
2. How casteism suppressed Dalit leaders from helping Dalit community.
3. How even anti-caste people from upper castes don’t feel safe to speak up against casteism.
4. Casteism is too small a word to comprise the various layers of discrimination and inequality faced by a large group of people in Modern India.
If you feel weak and scared to fight back, pock up Suraj Yengde’s book and you’ll feel stronger.
1. Dalit politics
2. How casteism suppressed Dalit leaders from helping Dalit community.
3. How even anti-caste people from upper castes don’t feel safe to speak up against casteism.
4. Casteism is too small a word to comprise the various layers of discrimination and inequality faced by a large group of people in Modern India.
If you feel weak and scared to fight back, pock up Suraj Yengde’s book and you’ll feel stronger.
July 11, 2024
I picked this book up in India. I was looking to explore more about the history of caste and its implications today. Although Suraj does cover some important topics and makes strong arguments for why caste matters, the language that he uses it quite inaccessible. I found it difficult to read and was filled with philosophical jargon that was a bit dry. Perhaps it is because I do not have a PhD, but it felt like I was reading a different language.
For a more accessible read, I recommend Trauma of Caste by Thenmozhi Soundarajan.
For a more accessible read, I recommend Trauma of Caste by Thenmozhi Soundarajan.
July 2, 2021
As a second generation token dalit I realised my owns faults in perpetuating a faulty system. Growing up on Ambedkar I have read bits and pieces but now I have to probably need to read them more thoroughly. Working in rural India I have seen first hand how important the role of caste can be for an individual in his life . Caste is the single most determinant in determining your upward mobility in life and also your spiritual satisfaction once you have material benefits. The dalit experience is truly a oppressive experience where one can never take pride in his own culture.
January 30, 2020
Suraj's words are true, fierce and filled with rebellion. This book is a must read as it depicts the untold reality of our society in a factual manner .
March 20, 2022
As a diaspora Indian I'm probably extremely misinformed.
September 10, 2021
Caste system is one contribution of India to the world. We not only have four Varnas but in those Varnas we have thousands of castes. Suraj Yengde in his debut book “Caste Matters” dissects the caste system and provides an insight into various aspects of caste system. Being a Dalit himself, he presents a firsthand account of what it means to be a Dalit. He dwells on Dalit politics, different types of Dalits and how some of them by their actions are hampering the Dalit movement across India.
The book takes you through step by step giving you an understanding of what it means to be a Dalit and how you are expected to behave or act in a certain way in front of upper castes. It talks about different categories of Dalits and this section of the book is quite interesting and informative. This tells about the Author’s academic hold on the topic because it not only categorizes Dalits but also criticizes them for the harm, they are doing to the overall Dalit cause.
“Many educated Elite Dalits who failed to acknowledge the experience of caste are harmful and most often a burden on the community. Instead of paving path for subaltern dallies to speak, these Dalits themselves become the spokesperson of the community.”
This book is a critique of “Brahminism”, which has spread across all castes in India. It simply is an attitude where you consider yourself superior or high up the hierarchy of caste system. Brahmin consider themselves at the top of the rung, but in other castes also a hierarchal system is formed where a specific sub caste is lower than the other and the one just above them consider themselves superior. The author points that this Brahmanical agency is everywhere, and the hierarchy is forced upon everyone, more so on Dalits.
Then there is a chapter on “Brahmin against Brahminism” where Suraj talks about the upper caste Brahmins standing up against the oppression of lower castes. He cites various examples where brahmins stood up against the injustice on Dalits, stood for their representation is political and social systems. The evil is not the upper caste Brahmin but the Brahmanical thought process which has spread in all the castes.
A great and informative read for anyone who wants to understand the caste and its impact on the people belonging to lower caste.
The book takes you through step by step giving you an understanding of what it means to be a Dalit and how you are expected to behave or act in a certain way in front of upper castes. It talks about different categories of Dalits and this section of the book is quite interesting and informative. This tells about the Author’s academic hold on the topic because it not only categorizes Dalits but also criticizes them for the harm, they are doing to the overall Dalit cause.
“Many educated Elite Dalits who failed to acknowledge the experience of caste are harmful and most often a burden on the community. Instead of paving path for subaltern dallies to speak, these Dalits themselves become the spokesperson of the community.”
This book is a critique of “Brahminism”, which has spread across all castes in India. It simply is an attitude where you consider yourself superior or high up the hierarchy of caste system. Brahmin consider themselves at the top of the rung, but in other castes also a hierarchal system is formed where a specific sub caste is lower than the other and the one just above them consider themselves superior. The author points that this Brahmanical agency is everywhere, and the hierarchy is forced upon everyone, more so on Dalits.
Then there is a chapter on “Brahmin against Brahminism” where Suraj talks about the upper caste Brahmins standing up against the oppression of lower castes. He cites various examples where brahmins stood up against the injustice on Dalits, stood for their representation is political and social systems. The evil is not the upper caste Brahmin but the Brahmanical thought process which has spread in all the castes.
A great and informative read for anyone who wants to understand the caste and its impact on the people belonging to lower caste.
November 4, 2021
“As the fable of casteism goes, the oppressors is interested in oppressing the one who is lower in the caste hierarchy.”
“Caste matters” does matter until “caste” matters.
Since the title includes the word “caste”, please don’t assume it’s mere bashing of Brahminical atrocities. Organizations (sic) in India take knee for Black lives matter (BLM) but doesn’t bother to realize Dalits lives matter (DLM) in their own backyard. Hardly anyone cared for Surekha Bhotmange but there were rallies and procession at the time of Nirbhaya. (Please take it in the right spirit). There are numerous cases like this. Hence, India is not just a land of mystics & miracles but as well a land of paradoxes & hypocrisies. We see many shades of grey, many ways of oppression.
Dr. Suraj Yengde, the neo-dalit, holds the mirror for all of us, to look into what goes in the lives of Dalit or the caste ordained societal structure & offers ideological guidance. He seeks liberation as opposed to emancipation. When it comes to criticism, it’s not just brahmins or banias but he doesn’t spare Dalits too. His segmentation of what he calls ‘castegories’ looks at Token Dalits, Elite Dalits (living in insular bubble), Self-obsessed Dalits & Radical Dalits. In his book Inglorious empires, Tharoor simply puts the blame on British & escapes calling casteism existed as mere fuzziness, Yengde clearly calls out the hypocrites of the system & the resulting human subjugation which has spanned millennia. The rigid caste hindus did everything in their capacity to make Dalits subservient not just socially but politically as well as economically.
The book does take its own time to be consumed since its academic in nature given the credentials of Dr. Yengde. As he dissects the lives of Dalits into many shades, being middle class & Dalit capitalism, he draws analogy with the lives of Black Americans prevalent in 19th/20th century. Unlike in US, there hasn’t been a radical revolution except for what Dr. Ambedkar did or to some extent done by Dalit Panthers including brahmins, to fill the gaping hole of pedagogical “Hindu” universe. The last chapter of Brahmins against Brahminism is quite intriguing, ends it saying the time for self-realization remains open-ended.
“Caste matters” does matter until “caste” matters.
March 20, 2021
This is a first book and I hope there's much more to come.
Foreword by Cornel West is worth every word where there is an evident link established with the struggles happening around the world, and why they can sustain each other.
My reading experience was a slightly tedious with the tone being above all academic, but the heavy referencing means that my next read will be Anand Teltumbde.
The book could have foregrounded a lot more younger culture figures that Yengde seems to follow on social media but hasn't specifically named. Some of the poets cited are indeed rich literature. And I wish I had read them through my school years.
The author's lived experience automatically leads to a very justifiable criticism of the diaspora that sticks to the sickening formulae that they exported with themselves, along with a condescending refusal to see caste.
What I find a bit harsh is the classification of Dalits, and all the groups seem to fall insufficient in Yengde's views towards making a change in the system. But isn't survival the first and a very important step? Some adapt, some hide, others strategically exploit the system to address some immediate needs. Also, the author calls on the Brahmins to change the equation, while there are huge non-Brahmin, non-oppressed communities too that buy into this oppressive all pervasive casteification among Hindus. It is time to actively engage, or at least get informed, to reflect and see the world around with some extra unavoidable clarity, to share wherever possible. To that end, the book is a success. I'm sure every reader would have learnt something that they didn't know, or got pointed to a direction to further seek out.
Hope to see Suraj Yengde more often on Youtube, changing the caste dominance in media.
Foreword by Cornel West is worth every word where there is an evident link established with the struggles happening around the world, and why they can sustain each other.
My reading experience was a slightly tedious with the tone being above all academic, but the heavy referencing means that my next read will be Anand Teltumbde.
The book could have foregrounded a lot more younger culture figures that Yengde seems to follow on social media but hasn't specifically named. Some of the poets cited are indeed rich literature. And I wish I had read them through my school years.
The author's lived experience automatically leads to a very justifiable criticism of the diaspora that sticks to the sickening formulae that they exported with themselves, along with a condescending refusal to see caste.
What I find a bit harsh is the classification of Dalits, and all the groups seem to fall insufficient in Yengde's views towards making a change in the system. But isn't survival the first and a very important step? Some adapt, some hide, others strategically exploit the system to address some immediate needs. Also, the author calls on the Brahmins to change the equation, while there are huge non-Brahmin, non-oppressed communities too that buy into this oppressive all pervasive casteification among Hindus. It is time to actively engage, or at least get informed, to reflect and see the world around with some extra unavoidable clarity, to share wherever possible. To that end, the book is a success. I'm sure every reader would have learnt something that they didn't know, or got pointed to a direction to further seek out.
Hope to see Suraj Yengde more often on Youtube, changing the caste dominance in media.
November 1, 2020
Rigorously researched and closely argued, Caste Matters is a significant intervention in discrimination studies.
In this explosive book, a first generation scholar educated across continents from a Dalit family tears angrily into Brahmanism, challenges deep seated beliefs about caste and unpacks it's many layers.
He describes his gut-wrenching experiences of growing up in a Dalit basti, the multiple humiliations suffered by Dalits on a daily basis, and their incredible resilience enabled by love and humour. As he brings to light the immovable glass ceiling that exists for Dalits even in politics, bureaucracy and judiciary.
I found the most inspired sections of the book pertain to “Dalit love”. For Yengde, Dalit love is the most potent “antidote to the malady of caste.”
He writes, “The fact that we have ‘arranged’ marriages in India is primarily because of the fear of Dalit Love, which has the ability to inject the ideals of justice, compassion, forgiveness…into closed orthodox minds; hence, it is banished by a prejudiced society.”
This path-breaking book reveals how caste crushes human creativity and is disturbingly similar to other forms of oppression, such as race, class and gender. At once a reflection on inequality and a call to arms, Caste Matters argues that until Dalits lay claim to power and Brahmins join hands against Brahminism to effect real transformation, caste will continue to matter.
In this explosive book, a first generation scholar educated across continents from a Dalit family tears angrily into Brahmanism, challenges deep seated beliefs about caste and unpacks it's many layers.
He describes his gut-wrenching experiences of growing up in a Dalit basti, the multiple humiliations suffered by Dalits on a daily basis, and their incredible resilience enabled by love and humour. As he brings to light the immovable glass ceiling that exists for Dalits even in politics, bureaucracy and judiciary.
I found the most inspired sections of the book pertain to “Dalit love”. For Yengde, Dalit love is the most potent “antidote to the malady of caste.”
He writes, “The fact that we have ‘arranged’ marriages in India is primarily because of the fear of Dalit Love, which has the ability to inject the ideals of justice, compassion, forgiveness…into closed orthodox minds; hence, it is banished by a prejudiced society.”
This path-breaking book reveals how caste crushes human creativity and is disturbingly similar to other forms of oppression, such as race, class and gender. At once a reflection on inequality and a call to arms, Caste Matters argues that until Dalits lay claim to power and Brahmins join hands against Brahminism to effect real transformation, caste will continue to matter.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 17, 2021
An important theoretical intervention.
This book is a mix of theory and ethnography of Dalit being and Dalit condition. However, it is not academically abstruse and the mix of data and personal narratives make the book comparatively easy to read and assimilate. Please read especially if you are a non-Dalit. The statistics will horrify you. The theory will make you think (hopefully).
It also gives the answer (a realization I had come to as well) to the question the brahmins regularly ask. Why are we blamed when the violence is perpetrated by quite a number of others as well? Why because of the thing you folks always say about caste. That brahmins are the care takers of Hindu religion and that it is because of you that it survives (not quite true but sort of true for the caste system itself). If you are care takers, then the evils are on you, no? Most of the temples that I know of in Kerala have (male) brahmin priests (despite Kerala govt making it possible for any Hindu to become a priest). Irrespective of their presence or lack thereof in media and culture, government etc., they hold high place in people's minds because of that.
If brahmins hold the key to religion, they should also be the people denouncing caste, and people who follow caste rules, loudly and incessantly.
This book is a mix of theory and ethnography of Dalit being and Dalit condition. However, it is not academically abstruse and the mix of data and personal narratives make the book comparatively easy to read and assimilate. Please read especially if you are a non-Dalit. The statistics will horrify you. The theory will make you think (hopefully).
It also gives the answer (a realization I had come to as well) to the question the brahmins regularly ask. Why are we blamed when the violence is perpetrated by quite a number of others as well? Why because of the thing you folks always say about caste. That brahmins are the care takers of Hindu religion and that it is because of you that it survives (not quite true but sort of true for the caste system itself). If you are care takers, then the evils are on you, no? Most of the temples that I know of in Kerala have (male) brahmin priests (despite Kerala govt making it possible for any Hindu to become a priest). Irrespective of their presence or lack thereof in media and culture, government etc., they hold high place in people's minds because of that.
If brahmins hold the key to religion, they should also be the people denouncing caste, and people who follow caste rules, loudly and incessantly.
January 13, 2024
This is the book which i can read numerous times,owing it to unravlling kink of the society. Along with stories, presentation of data and facts are also excellent. The turmoil caused by the caste system in the society and its consequences have been explained through facts and proper examples. In which many things have been taken from the lives of black people or it can be said that it is a beautiful book about the caste system happening in the society keeping humanity at its base.
The book also says a lot psychologically, politically, socially and class wise. After reading this book, one can easily comprehend how many lives have been collectively ruined by the caste system. So many events in this books demonstrated which possess to think why subaltern caste people are doing suicide. Few anecdotes are superbly jotted down and imperative to get to know the betterment of the mankind.
From journalists, politicians, judiciary to the people holding high positions who are they, what are their perception regarding the caste system and on what basis they have reached there. It is also an excellent study which has been weaved into words through rigorous research work.
Read it and please keep this book in your library..
The book also says a lot psychologically, politically, socially and class wise. After reading this book, one can easily comprehend how many lives have been collectively ruined by the caste system. So many events in this books demonstrated which possess to think why subaltern caste people are doing suicide. Few anecdotes are superbly jotted down and imperative to get to know the betterment of the mankind.
From journalists, politicians, judiciary to the people holding high positions who are they, what are their perception regarding the caste system and on what basis they have reached there. It is also an excellent study which has been weaved into words through rigorous research work.
Read it and please keep this book in your library..
May 8, 2020
"Every community according to ambedkar practices inequality in its own forms" 💙⭐
Caste matters is a extraordinary record of dalit politics in and around India. Each chapter is very engaging and detailed. Statistical analysis about brahmin dominance in the society show the work we all have to do. Interesting part in the book is "Brahmins against brahminism" which explains brahmin and other upper caste people who helped phule and ambedkar during their anti- caste movements.
And my favorite part in the book is author explaining "Dalit capitalism" and inadequacy in Marxist way of understanding capitalism in india.
It's a great book to understand Dalit politics.
"The term DALIT is analogous to Anti-oppression"
Lot of things to take from this book.
I personally admire the author he is a Harvard scholar and ambedkarist, it was after listening his speech I bought this book.
I'm attaching a video link with this post.
https://youtu.be/GeFUij4GI8I
Book: caste matters 💙👌
Author: suraj yengde 😍😍😍😍🔥
#must_read
#dalitlove
💙
Caste matters is a extraordinary record of dalit politics in and around India. Each chapter is very engaging and detailed. Statistical analysis about brahmin dominance in the society show the work we all have to do. Interesting part in the book is "Brahmins against brahminism" which explains brahmin and other upper caste people who helped phule and ambedkar during their anti- caste movements.
And my favorite part in the book is author explaining "Dalit capitalism" and inadequacy in Marxist way of understanding capitalism in india.
It's a great book to understand Dalit politics.
"The term DALIT is analogous to Anti-oppression"
Lot of things to take from this book.
I personally admire the author he is a Harvard scholar and ambedkarist, it was after listening his speech I bought this book.
I'm attaching a video link with this post.
https://youtu.be/GeFUij4GI8I
Book: caste matters 💙👌
Author: suraj yengde 😍😍😍😍🔥
#must_read
#dalitlove
💙
March 19, 2021
An honest, detailed and exhaustively researched account of the current situation of the 'Dalit Project' which is a (has taken shape of) movement for the annihilation of the longest-thriving pathogen known to mankind that is casteism.
To give you an idea:
"Until the progressives can take a courageous stand by denouncing and renouncing self-privilege;
until radicals make caste their primary project;
until rationalists do not stop commuting to agraharas to educate;
until Dalixploitation becomes a concern of the world;
until Dalit scientists are able to organize;
until Dalit cinema is successful in the project of creativity;
until Dalit rap becomes the lingua franca of revolt and is accepted in the mainstream;
until Dalit achievers are unafraid of revealing their identity for fear of losing their future;
until #castemustgo is truly embraced and #DalitLivesMatter is in the list of priorities;
until my mother can sleep with reassurance without worrying about her son’s returning home safely in the caste police regime; UNTIL THEN, CASTE MATTERS."
To give you an idea:
"Until the progressives can take a courageous stand by denouncing and renouncing self-privilege;
until radicals make caste their primary project;
until rationalists do not stop commuting to agraharas to educate;
until Dalixploitation becomes a concern of the world;
until Dalit scientists are able to organize;
until Dalit cinema is successful in the project of creativity;
until Dalit rap becomes the lingua franca of revolt and is accepted in the mainstream;
until Dalit achievers are unafraid of revealing their identity for fear of losing their future;
until #castemustgo is truly embraced and #DalitLivesMatter is in the list of priorities;
until my mother can sleep with reassurance without worrying about her son’s returning home safely in the caste police regime; UNTIL THEN, CASTE MATTERS."
April 25, 2021
This is an extremely comprehensive account of the caste system. Suraj Yende covers several different aspects of being a Dalit and how the caste system has completely taken control of their lives and livelihoods. He also talks about the different types of Dalits and the sub castes within Dalits. He also speaks about the primary social and political Dalit movements in India. He also warns the Dalits regarding the lure of the neo liberal capitalist order that can make the oppressed as the oppressor. Then he comes to the primary role models for Dalit radical movement Phule and Ambedkar. He also speak about the way the whole system needs to be upended instead of being reasoned with. The Brahmins and the brahminical order are rightly bashed for creating and maintaining the caste system. The writing is a bit dense though. I couldn’t get through the book as easily and the author keeps switching to several different threads while discussing about some specific topic. Overall a must read for understanding the horrible impact of caste system in the Indian society.
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