“The hand that played the drum shall also earn dollars.” The Paradox of Dalit Castelessness

Abstract

This dissertation investigates the complex interplay between caste, class, and market-centric discourses in contemporary India, with a particular focus on the experiences of Dalits in corporate workspaces and educational institutions. By examining the influence of market ideologies on the construction of modern subjectivity in this population, the study uncovers a unique form of "castelessness" among them. This castelessness is a complex and paradoxical aspect of experience, where caste is both explicitly denied and implicitly enacted in subtle ways. However, this form Dalit castelessness is not simply a strategy to escape stigma, but the consequence of a new form of self-making as a modern, middle class, global Dalit, which in turn is borne out of the values and ideas promoted by market centric discourses.

This form of castelessness does not amount to a substantive lack of caste. Rather, the research uncovers the pervasive influence of caste, even in spaces considered modern and progressive, revealing how upper-caste norms and values are often conflated with merit and modernity. Castelessness is itself a form of caste that is experienced differently by Dalits vis-à-vis upper castes. However, castelessness is also a real lived experience for some Dalits and it represents a significant shift in Dalit self-making. In addition, it may signal a new direction in Dalit organizing. The study emphasizes the need to recognize this emerging phenomenon without negating the broader structures of caste inequity that continue to pervade Indian society.

Drawing upon personal experiences, ethnographic insights, and theoretical reflections, this dissertation contributes to the understanding of the persistence of caste in contemporary India and the challenges and complexities faced by the Dalits in their pursuit of social mobility.