Seminar by Dr. Suryakant Waghmore

Dr. Suryakant Waghmore, from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai will be delivering a seminar titled "From Hierarchy to Hindu Politeness: Why Civility Matters in the Study of Dalit Politics".
Abstract:
Democratic consolidation and the rapid changes in the rural economy have radically changed the social and political practice of caste in Marathwada. Politically, these changes in caste signify a movement from caste hierarchy to caste competition and a complex sociality of caste tolerance. Does the rise of caste competition however mean end of caste hierarchy? Based on ethnography of Dalit politics in Marathwada, this paper explores the dynamic nature of caste and emphasises the need to understand the power of caste in its new social and political forms. It problematises the present moment of caste competition to analyse the persistence of caste violence against Dalits.
Exploring the banal nature of caste dominance affecting Dalits offers insights into new forms of caste power that consolidate under rural democracy. While Dalit activists frame power of caste affecting them in terms of 'hierarchy' of caste. Dalit challenge to caste raises questions about the modern forms of caste politeness in rural publics. Dalit politics and claims are thus not merely about dignity and extend to the realm of civility -- to include reform of rural dominants.
About the Speaker:
Dr. Suryakant Waghmore is Associate Professor and Chairperson at the Centre for Social Justice and Governance, TISS, Mumbai. He is author of 'Civility against Caste' (Sage 2013) and co-editor of another book titled 'From Margins to Mainstream: Institutionalising Minorities in South Asia' (forthcoming with Sage 2015). He was awarded the Commonwealth scholarship for his PhD in Sociology (University of Edinburgh). Dr Waghmore's areas of research interests include politics of identity and development; caste, civility and civil society.