Dalit Leadership in Panchayats: A Comparative Study of Four States

Book Details

• Author: Narender Kumar

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Language: English

• Edition: 2006

• ISBN: 8131600289

• Pages: 236

• Cover: Hardcover

• Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches

About the Book

This study is based on a field survey conducted across four states of India to examine the emerging Dalit leadership in panchayats after the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act. The book addresses a variety of critical issues, including:

• The experiences of Dalit leaders in panchayats.

• Their perception of their newfound roles.

• Enabling and inhibiting factors impacting their leadership.

• The changes brought about by affirmative actions at the ground level.

• What needs to be done to make Dalit leadership more effective and bring positive changes to the quality of life for its people.

The study highlights certain common factors across states, such as the enabling role of education, experience, family, community, economic independence, and personal initiatives. However, caste practices have been found to be the most significant inhibiting factor across all states. Despite the challenges, the study recognizes the immense potential of Dalit leadership in panchayats. These local leaders possess the capacity to bring about irreversible positive changes in the social system, changes that cannot always be achieved by democratically elected state and union governments.

About the Author

Narender Kumar has been teaching at Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi, since 1999. Besides two books, Dalits and Panchayat Elections in Haryana and Dalit Policies, Politics, and Parliament, his research papers have been published in journals such as Economic and Political Weekly.

Manoj Rai is the National Coordinator of the Reforming Governance Project at PRIA, New Delhi.