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Caste, Contemporaneity and Assertion
This article is in response to the opinions and views expressed in the “Caste and Class” special (EPW, 19 November 2016). An evolutionary and historical method has not helped us to understand the caste system and its exploitative nature in its entirety. Therefore, we need to analyse it from a new perspective which can explain the caste system by critically looking at assertion of both, the so-called upper castes and Dalits together.
Among the opinions expressed by Dalit scholars and observers on caste and class, some point out that in certain regions of the country Marxists have been reluctant to engage with the caste system effectively. The Dalit movement has also not been able to grapple successfully with the issues of most marginalised sections while the Dalit middle class has failed to engage with the masses. My contention is that caste still remains the basic structure within which people live and die. Moreover this article will further argue that an evolutionary and historical method has not helped us to understand the caste system and its exploitative nature.
Engaging with Caste System
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