Caste in Contemporary India

Jodhka, Surinder S.

doi:10.4324/9781315095943

Cited by 23 publications

(40 citation statements)

References 0 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

Contrasting

Order By: Relevance

“…We need, in other words, to analyse caste privilege as well as discrimination and to foreground the relational nature of caste identities in seeking to understand contemporary manifestations and dynamics of caste. Following Jodhka (2015), the contributions to this volume emphasise the necessity of analysing caste in the present and as an evolving form of human relations, rather than as a remnant of tradition that will wither away of its own accord.…”

Section: Defining and Experiencing Castementioning

confidence: 99%

Caste: experiences in South Asia and beyond

Gorringe

Jodhka

Takhar

2017

Contemporary South Asia

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

This special issue of Contemporary South Asia seeks to capture the diversity and situatedness of the caste experience and deepen our understanding of caste dynamics and lives in the twenty-first century. In this Introduction, we highlight the continuing salience of caste, offer an overview of theoretical understandings of caste and foreground the importance of analysing caste in the present as a dynamic form of human relations, rather than a remnant of tradition. Following on from this, we highlight the increasingly global spread of caste and reflect on what happens to castebased social relations when they traverse continents. In conclusion, we introduce the papers that make up this special issue. Taken together, they speak to changes in attitudes towards caste, but also the persistence of caste-based identities and dynamics in India and Britain. Even though the papers presented in this special issue work with the assumption of caste being a reality in and among the Indians, caste-like status hierarchies have existed in most, if not all, societies, and they continue to persist and intersect with other forms of differences/inequalities.

show abstract

Section: Defining and Experiencing Castementioning

confidence: 99%

Caste: experiences in South Asia and beyond

Gorringe

Jodhka

Takhar

2017

Contemporary South Asia

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Caste still 'matters' in urban India too (Jodhka and Manor 2017). In the writing on caste, it has been argued that caste has evolved and changed but not dissolved or disappeared (Fuller 1996;Jodhka 2015;Vaid 2012). Change has been observed in the economic domain, with a weakening of traditional systems of patronage, a disassociation between caste and occupation (Gupta 2004;Srinivas 2003) and a decline in the power of the locally dominant castes (Manor 2012).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

‘Flexible’ caste boundaries: cross-regional marriage as mixed marriage in rural north India

Chaudhry

2018

Contemporary South Asia

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Based on ethnographic fieldwork in a village in the north Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, this article focuses on cross-regional marriage (those that cross caste and linguistic boundaries and entail long-distance migration) as mixed marriage. It queries the 'acceptance' of women sought beyond traditional boundaries of caste in a context where caste endogamy is the norm and breaches are otherwise not tolerated. It argues that while the caste of the women is overlooked when the alliance is made, their caste does not cease to be a concern in the caste-bound rural communities into which they marry. A discourse of caste, centred on food transactions, derogatory remarks about skin colour and in the refusal to marry the children of cross-regional couples, serves to mark difference and make claims to status. While there has been a decline in certain exclusionary caste practices in the village, a sense of hierarchy is retained.

show abstract

“…A recent study in India based on a sample of 1000 companies reported that as many as 92.6% of Indian corporate board members were from two broad clusters of the 'upper castes' (mainly Brahmins 44.6% and Vaishyas 46%,) and these two together comprise less than 15% of the Indian population. In contrast, lower castes like the Shudras only comprise 3.5% of these senior positions (Jodhka, 2015). The caste system determines not only the social division of labour but also sexual division as well determining what occupations are acceptable, for example, for women to undertake (Deshpande, 2002).…”

Section: Reproduction Of Caste Class and Persisting Inequality In Indiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In fact the caste system has retained influence in modern times even among educated urban groups (Banerjee et al, 2009) and economic inequalities across caste groups have also witnessed further escalation (Jodhka, 2015). Historically the highest caste in the Indian caste hierarchical system -the Brahminshad the greatest amount of human capital in terms of education compared to the lower castes like the Shudras.…”

Section: Reproduction Of Caste Class and Persisting Inequality In Indiamentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The dominant view of thinking about caste was from an evolutionally frame where the underlying assumption was that caste would disappear 'automatically' with the dawn of modernization replacing it with 'modern' structures based on individual achievement (Jodhka, 2015). In fact the caste system has retained influence in modern times even among educated urban groups (Banerjee et al, 2009) and economic inequalities across caste groups have also witnessed further escalation (Jodhka, 2015).…”

Section: Reproduction Of Caste Class and Persisting Inequality In Indiamentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A tour of India in one workplace: investigating complex and gendered relations in IT

Dhar-Bhattacharjee

Richardson

2018

ITP

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

A tour of India in one workplace: investigating gendered and complex relations in IT AbstractPurpose: This paper investigates the situation of women working as IT professionals in different regions of India within Multi-National Enterprises (MNEs). The research is part of a cross-national study that compared gendered relations in the UK and Indian IT sector. The complex roles that region, class and caste and gendered values and norms have in shaping women's work and lives in India are discussed. Design/methodology/approach:The cross-national research assumed common themes as part of a programme of in-depth interviewing and observations during site visits. The 'safari method' was adopted by a sole field worker with intimate knowledge of languages and cultures of both India and UK. In-depth interviews and observations were conducted at 5 IT MNEs in 4 cities in India. The research considered notions of intersectionality and difference -how the lived experiences of Indian women are shaped by gender relations and are interconnected with other dynamics like caste and class on regional and cultural differences in India that impact on working in IT MNEs. Findings:The IT sector in India offers opportunities for middle and upper class women professionals with barriers often experienced by women working in IT in Western countries not replicated in India. Nevertheless this has not meant significant improvements in gendered relations at work or in Indian society at large. The role of women at home and within a patrifocal society shapes their experiences at work. There are significant differences in organisational culture even within MNEs sharing common legislative and policy environments. There are also particular influences of regional, class and caste differences manifest in IT workplaces, contributing to inequality. Originality/value:This paper adds to the understanding of the situation of women in IT including within MNEs offering insights into the workings of global capitalist enterprises. The research should lead to an appreciation of the complexity of social differences and whether opening up opportunities for women professionals in India can contribute to inclusive growth or will maintain current patterns of inequality.

show abstract

Caste in Contemporary India

Cited by 23 publications

References 0 publications

Caste: experiences in South Asia and beyond

Caste: experiences in South Asia and beyond

‘Flexible’ caste boundaries: cross-regional marriage as mixed marriage in rural north India

A tour of India in one workplace: investigating complex and gendered relations in IT

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About