Political Elite Among Scheduled Castes

Book Details

• Publisher: Rawat Publications

• Author: Aluri Sundar Kumar Das

• Language: English

• Edition: 2018

• ISBN: 9788131609477

• Pages: 205

• Cover: Hardcover

About the Book
This book provides a critical examination of the Dalit movements in the coastal Andhra and Telangana regions of the erstwhile Andhra Pradesh. It delves into the history and political trajectory of Dalit activism, highlighting the behavioural patterns of Dalit leaders in the region, especially post-independence. Western education and Dalit literature sparked significant social movements, largely driven by educated Dalit youth. However, after the entry of Dalit leaders into electoral politics, the system of 'Joint electorate' and the politics of co-optation, adopted by dominant political parties, diluted the movement for social structural change. This continued social exclusion and the occasional atrocities against Dalits, particularly in rural areas, are discussed in detail.

The book critically examines the rise of clientelism, the influence of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and the strategies Dalit leaders adopted to compete with entrenched political forces. The analysis of political sociology, incorporating Western concepts such as 'Clientelism' and 'Elite', captures the nuances of Dalit politics in Andhra Pradesh. Despite challenges, the book explores phases of Dalit mobilisation, shedding light on political transition and strategies for mobilisation and political power in light of changing political equations.

Contents

1. Introduction

2. Caste in Indian Society

3. Dalit Movements in Colonial Andhra and Telangana

4. Evaluation of Dalit Participation in Electoral Politics

5. Dalit Elite Response to Atrocities against Dalits

6. Summary and Conclusion

About the Author
Aluri Sundar Kumar Das completed his Master's in Political Science from Andhra University, Waltair, and his M.Phil. from Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), New Delhi. He further pursued L.L.B. and Ph.D. at Osmania University, Hyderabad. Das began his career in 1984 as a Lecturer at Government Junior College and later joined the Indian Police Service (IPS) in 1987. Rising to the rank of Inspector General of Police (IGP), he has held key positions within the Police Department. Currently, he serves as the IGP & Controller of the Department of Legal Metrology, Government of Andhra Pradesh, Amaravathi, Vijayawada.