Dalit Policies, Politics and Parliament

Dalits form one of the most disadvantaged and poorest social category in India. In recent times, they have emerged as a leading protest group against subordination based on societal beliefs and customs. The book explores the construction of Dalilts in political leadership arena and its role in policy formulation in Parliament for Dalit masses. The author argues that despite political representation in Lok Sabha and other constitutional safeguards for more than half a century, Dalits remain at the mercy of the State. An those managing the State apparatus either donor formulate the necessary policies and if formulate, do not adopt effective measures to get the policies implemented. Members of Parliament primarily adopt a mild reformist agenda and not the radical one that could lead to a considerable transformation in the existential realities of Dalit masses at large. With a comprehensive account of Dalit representation, this book becomes a major contribution to the literature on Dalits, particularly in the context of political representation for the people at the margins of the society. Its reflections on historical , political, social and constitutional aspects regarding Dalits would help to visualize the policies needed and efforts required to materialize them.