Politics as Social Text in India: The Bahujan Samaj Party in Uttar Pradesh

This book explores the emergence of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as an alternative political force in Uttar Pradesh, focusing on the historical continuity of Dalit social justice movements and organizational politics from pre- to post-colonial India. It analyzes the political leadership of Kanshiram and Mayawati, the strong party organization, and how they evolved an empowered Dalit ideology and identity by grassroots mobilization and championing Dalit icons and history. It also explores the partys strategies, slogans, and alliances with other political parties and communities and its political maneuvers to retain its influence over the electorate.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 242 pages
Publication date: 25 September 2023
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This comprehensive book delves into the fascinating journey of the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) as a transformative political force in Uttar Pradesh. It explores the deep-rooted historical roots of Dalit social justice movements and organizational politics, spanning from pre- to post-colonial India, and their eventual institutionalization as a prominent political entity with the rise of the BSP in the state since the 1980s. The volume examines the emergence of a new era of Dalit-Bahujan politics, characterized by the ethnicization of caste groups to form a cohesive bahujan samaj. It scrutinizes the focused political leadership of figures like Kanshiram and Mayawati, the robust party organization, and their remarkable ability to cultivate an empowered Dalit ideology and identity through grassroots mobilization and the celebration of Dalit icons and history. The author also delves into the party's strategic approaches, catchy slogans, and alliances with various political parties and communities, as well as its intricate political maneuvers to maintain its hold over the electorate. Furthermore, the book adeptly identifies the factors contributing to the political marginalization of the BSP in contemporary times, particularly in the context of the ascendancy of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in the state.

This book holds immense value for researchers and scholars engaged in the fields of political science, sociology, Dalit and subaltern studies, exclusion studies, and the intersectionality of caste and class. It provides valuable insights into the dynamics of social change, identity politics, and the challenges faced by marginalized communities. Policy makers, think tanks, and NGOs actively working in the domains of caste, marginality, social exclusion, and identity politics will also find this book to be a valuable resource for their research and advocacy efforts.

In conclusion, this book offers a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the Bahujan Samaj Party's emergence as a political force in Uttar Pradesh, shedding light on the historical roots.

Weight: 453g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367753085