Based on archival research and ethnography, Joel Lee explores the contradictory nature of the latent and manifest religion of Dalit communities from the 583 clans of the Awadh region.

Are the morals and ethics of our society more accommodative towards informality, brokers, mediators along with corruption and sustained exploitation? And what happens to the constitutional promise of equality, fraternity and justice?

How does the arrest of a politician violating the law and rights of a woman affect the dignity of a caste? How do rapists and murderers simultaneously become victims deserving of solidarity?

James Staples's 'Sacred Cows and Chicken Manchurian' pursues and makes a case for in-depth ethnographic research on dietary politics and processes.

Studies of how rural democracy works in ‘progressive’ Maharashtra suggest the very high turnout for gram panchayat elections masks continuing inequality and incivility.

Beyond the materialist discourses of development and corruption, it is in the realm of the politics of identity that the fight for ethics is turned into a concrete political action. 

Both ‘The Discreet Charm of the Savarnas’ and ‘Mr. Misunderstanding’ warn us of caste travelling and dominating through liberal-progressive Savarnas – locally and globally.

While Muslims are generally under siege in an ideal Hindu democracy, the fault lines of caste cannot be dormant for long; caste is an insurgent Hindu quality. After all, there is no Hinduism without caste and there can be no caste without untouchability. 

Castes are not always at war in villages, nor do ex-untouchables face physical violence every day. Caste power also operates through peace and politeness.

CAA is driven by hate for Muslims and not genuine love for Hindu refugees. A sincere policy for refugees should be driven by humanism and compassion.  

Unless we study the humanities and social science, we may run the risk of being a great culture and society in perpetual perceptual hallucination.

The Bhim Army is part of the Ambedkarite tradition of politics; it is not necessarily a challenge to Mayawati and may in fact help consolidate the BSP.