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Caste as a category has played an essential role in analysing Indian politics. It has long remained a crucial source of collective identity and a necessary dimension of political mobilisation, particularly in the domain of electoral politics. Purusha Sukta of the Rigveda divides the entire society of Aryans and non-Aryans into four classes known as varnas- The Brahmin, the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudra, created from Prajapati's mouth, arms, thighs, and feet respectively. The political culture of caste has grown in tandem with the spread of Hindu nationalism. The untouchables benefited from quotas in the assemblies, the civil services, and education, spawning a new elite designated by a novel term. The word 'Dalit' in Sanskrit means "broken" and downtrodden. The Dalit consciousness had been brought about by various factors existing in the society. There were addressed the Dalits in the annals in Indian history with different nomenclatures like- Chandalas, Adharmik, Achhutes, Parihas, Adi-Dravida, Depressed classes, oppressed Hindus, Harijans etc., at other points in time. SC, ST, the landless and poor peasants, women and all those exploited politically, economically, etc.
About the author
*Prohlad Roy, Ph.D., M.A. (Beng), M.A. (Edu), M.A. (Soziologie), M.A. (PubAdmin), M.A. (DalitStudien), M.Sc. (Kriminologie), M.Sc. (Bildungstechnologie), B.Ed., Diplom in Journalismus, NET (UGC), Stellvertretender Direktor, Agrarökonomisches Forschungszentrum, Visva-Bharati, Santiniketan. **Suweksha Moktan, B.A.(Hons) M.A.(Geschichte), B.Ed., M.Ed.Visva-Bharati.
