Secularism, Modernity, Nation

The emphasis on the language of 'merit', 'efficiency' and class has enabled the upper caste discourse to repress successfully the category of caste. But in the post-Mandal period, the 'secularity' of caste and the dalit movement have proved effective in combating the rising Hindutva forces, even making 'caste' respectable. However, even as the radical and secular potential of caste is stressed, there is little attempt to theorise the question of caste. This paper explores the theoretical implications of a radical, secular politics and to unravel the existentialist dilemmas of dalit politics.