Hindutva and Dalits: Perspectives for Understanding Communal Praxis

Ed by

Dr. Anand Teltumbde

Published by

Samya

16 Southern Avenue,

First Floor,

Kolkata 700026

Hard Bound

Pages 312

Price: Rs. 500/-

Some Comments on the Back Cover

“It is a unique book in many ways that might defy familiar academic classification. Its contributions come form a typical mix of academicians and activists and it is edited by a person who represents the best combination of both- academics and activism. Its coverage has been comprehensive and balanced insofar as it deals with both conceptual and practical issues. I have thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I am sure readers will find it informative, illuminating as well provocative. I hope it gets widely read and generates a healthy discussion on this contemporary development in Indian society.”

-Dr. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission, Govt. of India (New Delhi, January 15, 2004)

“In recent times a disturbing parallelism in politics has emerged in the form of Hindutva politics and Dalit politics. The former claiming to be inclusive under the banner of Hindu unity has remained in practice as a model of hierarchical integration rather than egalitarian integration. It has posed a serious challenge to dalit politics, which with its autonomous tendencies and ideological overtones appeared as limiting mobility-aspirations to dalits themselves. These two streams have been brought into a dialectical relationship with the emergence of coalition era. With national politics being increasingly oriented to politics of stakes, dalit politics is poised to emerge as a balancing force. Whether this balancing force remains secular or goes with the communal forces remains as an open question. This book grapples with these and other such issues. All those interested in these issues will find its reading a rewarding experience.”

-Prof. D. L. Sheth, Central for the Study of Development Societies, (CSDS), Delhi

(January 17, 2004)

Contents

Foreword by K. N. Panikkar ix

Preface xii

Contributors xiv

Introduction Anand Teltumbde 1

PART I THEORETICAL PERSPECTIVE

1. Dalits in Theory and Practice of Hindutva Shamsul Islam 23

2. Hindutva, Dalits and the Neo-Liberal Order Anand Teltumbde 46

3. Dalits and Hindutva: Gainers and Losers Sandeep Pendse 75

4. Hindutva’s Social Engineering: Dalits Participation in the Anti-Muslim

Pogrom, Gujarat 2002 Ram Puniyani 92

5. Between Her legs: -Hindutva and Dalit Women Meena Kandasamy 108

6. Hindutva: Historicity of Dalit Connection: Prakash Louis 136

7. Dalits Face a Culture Threat Both from Within and Without Gopal Guru 163

8. Dalit-Hindutva Alliance and the Dynamics of Dalit Politics: Ramesh Kamble 171

PART II HINDUTVA IN OPERATION

9. Subverting the Shudra–Ati-shudra Revolution: The Uttar Pradesh Way:

Subhash Gatade 187

10. Maharashtra: Dalit Politics in the Hindutva Trap Suhas Palshikar 208

11. No Exit: Dalits, Hindutva and the Dravidian Movement: V. Geetha 224

12. Contesting Exclusions: Dalits and Reconstruction of Religious Identities in

Punjab Navprit Kaur 238

13. Hindutva and Dalits in Andhra Pradesh K .S. Chalam 253

14. Hindutva Influence on Dalits: The Case of Karnataka Shivasundar 265

15. In Search of Answers: Gujarat: Dalits as Foot-Soldiers of Hindutva?

Anand Teltumbde and Subhash Gatade 275

16 The Sangh Parivar Initiatives in the Tribal Belt of Wyanad in Kerala T. K. Ramachandran 300

Index 304