Jatiyon Ka Loktantra : Jati Aur Rajneeti

Unlike democratic countries around the world, the electoral participation of the poor, rural, and oppressed Dalits in India is a unique phenomenon, which political scientist Rajni Kothari attributes to a transformation brought about by the interplay of caste and democracy. He believed that amidst the turmoil of caste and democratic politics, a positive current of change continues to flow in society. This book broadly follows this premise. The articles compiled here highlight the key stages of the caste system in India, the debates surrounding it, and the struggle to understand caste. It also analyzes its role in elections. It also includes articles by Baba Saheb, Lohia, and Kishan Patnaik, which discuss the merits and demerits of caste and highlight its consequences. An article in the book also offers a thought-provoking perspective on how Gandhi viewed caste and what he intended to do with it in his lifetime. At a time when growing awareness of our identities is creating deep anxiety at every level of society, and when preserving our identity in a world rapidly advancing in technology presents a new challenge, it is certainly inspiring to understand the social structure for which the world looks upon India with awe. This book takes us a long way in this direction.