CONFRONTING CASTE EXCLUSION: ACADEMIC JOURNEY IN SEARCH OF EQUITY AND DIGNITY

This book encapsulates the academic engagement of Sukhadeo Thorat over the past forty years. Thorat has been deeply involved in researching some of the most contentious issues of inter-group economic inequalities – particularly those linked to caste, tribe, religion, and gender–caste intersectionality.

The book presents Thorat’s lifelong research, condensed into seventeen articles, on the persistent poverty and deprivation faced by discriminated groups, and the roots of these issues in caste-based economic discrimination.

Innovatively, it offers insight into the sources and motivations behind caste economic discrimination, drawing on general economic theories of discrimination and, more specifically, theories related to caste. Based on these theoretical frameworks and a wealth of empirical evidence on caste and untouchability-based economic discrimination, the book also reflects on remedies to address this deeply rooted and enduring problem.

Additionally, it explores a conceptual framework for studying caste-based economic discrimination and its consequences for poverty among marginalised groups – a resource that will be especially valuable to young researchers.

In today’s context of growing demands for caste-, religion-, and gender-based policies, this book is both timely and essential reading for those engaged in research and policymaking on group inequalities and their remedies.