Vaibhav Kharat India’s recent history has been stained once again by two horrifying incidents of sexual violence—one in Bengal and the other in Bihar. Both crimes were monstrous, but the response to them exposes the rot at the core of Indian society, a society that remains shackled by caste even in its darkest moments. The …
Rainbow casteism and racism in the queer community is alienating us
Sophia I entered the Delhi queer movement in my early 20s, as a complete outsider in terms of language, origin, race, class, and caste identity. I wanted to bring change to the status quo and challenge the existing caste and class hierarchy that pervaded the movement. I started my initiative and became a vocal …
Understanding Cultural and Social Capital of Savarnas
Pranav Jeevan P Why is the assertion of Bahujans branded as identity politics based on caste, but the savarna assertions are termed as “culture”, “tradition” and “merit”? The dominance of rituals and performance of savarna hegemony is the sign of cultural penetration of caste hierarchies in all sections of society. It is the institutions which …
Election of Kamala Harris: Is America half a century behind South Asia?
Prof Vivek Kumar On January 20, 2021, Kamala Harris created a history of sorts by taking oath as America’s first female Vice President. She is the first woman of South Asian and Afro-American descent who has received such an honor. This may be a historic moment for Americans. However, if we analyze this history …
Why so Serious Men?
Ankit Ramteke Oh, it is a movie about caste issues, progress, and all that. How nice! Do you know the talented Siddiqui is playing an assertive but cunning Tamil Dalit? Wow, As a caste-less, conformist, populist liberal, I am already experiencing a filmgasm. After years of rottenly skewed representation of these Achut, Neech, Bangi, …
Lineage and Caste in Islam
Shafiullah Anis (Round Table India and SAVARI have been hosting a series of online talks by activists and thinkers on issues of importance to the Bahujan. This is the transcript of Shafiullah Anis’ talk on June Aug 1st, 2020) The reason we are discussing this topic is because there is a perception and a kind …
North American whites are also oppressed by the American empire
[SAVARI and Round Table India are doing a series to put together the Bahujan perspective on the Coronavirus pandemic] Pushpendra: Hi Akil. Let us start with your brief introduction for the readers in India. Akil: For the future audiences, I am Akil Bakari, a long time activist here in America. I have worked for the …
Why Brahminism survived even in the times of Corona
Kalyani K COVID-19 as a pandemic has affected the population across geographies irrespective of people’s nationality, class, race, caste etc. The virus causes the same symptoms and can affect almost anyone. But can one claim COVID-19 virus is a global equalizer? The question needs a contextual understanding of the ways in which social realities around …
In Defence of “Caste Matters”
Prateek Khobragade Dr. Suraj Yengde’s recent book Caste Matters has triggered myriad debates across the class and caste circles the book has reached; an outcome any author would desire and expect. The responses are mixed and important criticisms of the book are making way. An interesting trend I observed in my own peer circle, of …