Social Exclusion Of Backward Classes In Andhra Pradesh An Historical Perspective Of Rayalaseema Region

Social exclusion has several dimensions. It exists in various spheres and in many forms. Race and caste have however dominated the discourse on social exclusion. In its simplest understanding, social exclusion is lack of access to resources and consequent inability to utilize them. It is further accentuated by denial of opportunities which enhance access to resources and their utilization. It can, therefore be experienced by anyone who is in a position which is vulnerable to such impeding conditions. Thus, besides caste and race, religion, age, gender, social position and occupational hierarchy-are all potentially volatile to social exclusion. Stratification of human populations occurs at various levels and in many forms. It has a reflection of power dynamics which exist between people and also between population groups. This drives some caste and religious groups to be more advantaged as against others, The young and the elderly population are likely to be less equipped as compared to the adults in the sphere of work. The elders may be the dominating persons within the household;

The concept of Empowerment is a multi-faceted, multi-dimensional and multi-layered. The women’s empowerment is a process by which women gain greater share of control over resource-material, human and intellectual like knowledge, information, ideas and financial resources like money-and access to money and control over decision-making in the home, community, society and nation.1 The Proceedings of the Third International Women’s Conference held at Nairobi in the year 1985, paved the way for emergence of concept of women empowerment and the statesmen of great vision perceived it as a powerful tool for re-distribution of social power and control of resources in favor of women.

The complete alienation of Dalits from resources like land, water, and agricultural implements has led to the collective demand for an equal share in productivity. This book discusses the range of socio-economic and cultural problems faced by the Dalit community. The movement advancing the rights of Dalits took place both before and after independence, however they varied in intensity, and concerned land ownership and fair wages, self-respect, social dignity, and the demand for equal rights. This movement appeared to have significantly changed the very mindset and attitude of upper caste people to restrain themselves and not to resort to any discrimination or humiliation of Dalits. However, this seems to have been only a temporary phenomenon, and the practice of suppression and humiliation continues today. This book explores the circumstances of Dalits in the Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, and the current efforts attempting to achieve more social equality for the caste here.

The essays in this book compare and analyze political processes in eight states within the Indian Union. A long introductory chapter by Myron Weiner sets the stage for individual studies of each state by separate scholars, namely: Myron Weiner (MIT) on Political Development in the Indian States; Paul H. Brass (University of Washington) on Uttar Pradesh; Wayne Wilcox (Columbia University) on Madhya Pradesh; Ram Joshi ( S.I.E.S. College, Bombay) on Maharashtra; Balraj Puri (Editor, Kashmir Affairs) on Jammu and Kashmir Marcus F. Franda (Colgate University) on West Bengal; Lawrence L. Shrader (Mills College ) on Rajasthan; Hugh Gray (University of London) on Andhra Pradesh; and Baldev Raj Nayar (McGill University) on Punjab. Originally published in 1968. The Princeton Legacy Library uses the latest print-on-demand technology to again make available previously out-of-print books from the distinguished backlist of Princeton University Press. These editions preserve the original texts of these important books while presenting them in durable paperback and hardcover editions. The goal of the Princeton Legacy Library is to vastly increase access to the rich scholarly heritage found in the thousands of books published by Princeton University Press since its founding in 1905.

By raising a conceptual debate on ‘New Social Movements’, Pathania examines contemporary student resistance and analyses protest methods, strategies, networks, and the role of various caste, sub-caste groups, and civil society organizations in the struggle for social justice to envision a new cultural politics. The volume also discusses student activism in the aftermath of the suicide of PhD scholar Rohith Vemula at University of Hyderabad and the Azadi (Freedom) campaign at Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. The University as a Site of Resistance scrutinizes the debate on nationalism and processes of democratization of institutional spaces.

The book discusses the socio-cultural-historical, occupational, educational, employment and discriminatory status of one of the most neglected and marginalised communities: the de-notified tribes or ex-criminal tribes of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh. Based on primary data collected from 14 communities in 11 districts in these states, it discusses the current state of affairs concerning de-notified tribes. There is no accurate and comprehensive information available on the present socio-economic status of these communities, either in the literature or with government agencies. This book provides valuable information on how they are faring in post-independence India since their de-notification from the Criminal Tribes Act, 1871.

Contributed papers presented earlier in a conference.