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Surviving in My World: Growing Up Dalit in Bengal by Manohar Mouli Biswas, edited and translated in English by Angana Dutta and Jaideep Sarangi, Stree Samya Books, 2015; pp 150, ₹ 280.
Suppressed for long, autonomous Dalit politics is finding its voice in West Bengal through the organisational strength of the Matua Mahasangha. This article takes a look at the recent developments in this organisation and how it is projecting Dalit demands in the run-up to the coming legislative assembly elections in the state.
The new politics of caste in West Bengal has the potential to dislodge the traditional bipolar political discourse in the state. While bhadralok politics is still dominant, the question of caste is growing in importance; whether it finally comes of its own is difficult to foretell.
The new politics of caste in West Bengal has the potential to dislodge the traditional bipolar political discourse in the state. While bhadrolok politics is still dominant, the question of caste is likely to play a crucial role in this election.
Caste has never been a relevant category in the politics of West Bengal. That has now changed with the political assertion of the Matua Mahasangha which represents the organised voice of the Namasudras.
