The Untouchables: Subordination, Poverty and the State in Modern India (Contemporary South Asia, Series Number 4)

"In a sensitive and compelling account of the lives of those at the very bottom of Indian society, Oliver Mendelsohn and Marika Vicziany explore the construction of the Untouchables as a social and political category, the historical background which led to such a definition, and their position in India today. The authors argue that, despite efforts to ameliorate their condition on the part of the state, a considerable edifice of discrimination persists on the basis of a tradition of ritual subordination. Even now, therefore, it still makes sense to categorise these people as 'Untouchables'. The book promises to make a major contribution to the social and economic debates on poverty, while its wide-ranging perspectives will ensure an interdisciplinary readership from historians of South Asia, to students of politics, economics, religion and sociology."--Publisher description In a compelling account of the lives of those at the bottom of Indian society, the authors explore the construction of the Untouchables as a social and political category, the historical background that led to such a definition and their position in India today. The authors argue that, despite efforts to ameliorate their condition, a considerable edifice of discrimination persists. The book promises to make a major contribution to the social and economic debates on poverty, while its wide-ranging perspectives will ensure a readership from across the disciplines. Oliver Mendelsohn And Marika Vicziany. Includes Bibliographical References (p. 272-283) And Index. 4. Public policy I: adverse discrimination and compensatory discrimination 3. Religion, politics and the Untouchables from the nineteenth century to 6. The new Untouchable proletariat: a case study of the Faridabad stone 8. The question of reservation: the lives and careers of some Scheduled 7. Untouchable politics and Untouchable politicians since 1956 9. Subordination, poverty and the state in modern India 5. Public policy II: the anti-poverty programs 2. The question of the 'Harijan atrocity'