The promise of Land: Dalits, social policies and new statehood in Telangana, India

My proposed research will look at the dynamics of caste hierarchy in a new sub-national state in southern India, Telangana, by exploring the following two questions: 1. How Dalits (former untouchable caste) struggle to demand land through organized land movements and more informal politics? 2. How Dalit identities are being (re)shaped through land policies of the new subnational state.

Dalits in Telangana, a newly formed state in 2014, were optimistic that state policies would improve their situation, including access to land. During the Telangana statehood movement, many Dalits believed that the new state would benefit them economically and socially, so a separate Dalit-led movement was unnecessary. The struggle for Telangana was intense, with tragic events, such as backward-caste student suicides, as well as suicides by public sector employees from indigenous groups.

However, critics, such as eminent scholar Kancha Ilaiah, claim that upper-caste leaders used these sacrifices to push for a separate state while ignoring Dalit interests.

Through this study, I aim to contribute to the understanding of caste inequalities, contemporary politics of secession and state-formation, and the consequences of such politics for social struggles and policies for Dalits. It has been nearly ten years (2014-2023) since Telangana was formed and there have not yet been any systematic study about how the policies of the new state have addressed economic and social challenges of Dalits; that is whether they have enabled progress for Dalits or are continuing their marginalization of Dalits from the mainstream.

My research aims to fill this gap. A second important contribution will emerge from my methodology of using literature and political discourse in Telugu produced by Dalit scholars and activists with the aim to decolonise knowledge production in India. Beyond contributions to academic debates, I would like to help upcoming scholars who would like to study about land and caste relations through my research.

I wish to do a qualitative study, with primary data gathered through formal and informal interviews of Dalits (both land-owners and agricultural laborers) from/in Warangal, Nizamabad, and Bhadradri Kothagudem (areas with a preponderance of land disputes). Interviews will be carried out orally and, with permission, recorded and later transcribed (access to potential respondents will be secured via professors, activists, and NGO's).

IMPACT POTENTIAL: As my research addresses the issues of land and caste-based marginalization specifically in the State of Telangana, my aim is to drive tangible changes in social policies and initiate ideas for social mobilization and collective action towards a positive shift in policy-making processes. I would like to theoretically contribute to literature on land and marginalization in India, and contemporary politics of secession more generally which will provide valuable insights for upcoming scholars, exploring caste in Telangana in particular.

Although my research focuses on the state of Telangana, I aim to reach out to a global audience interested in the dynamics of state, land, and marginalised communities, such as movements of indigenous peoples in South America and other parts of Asia, which have been vibrant. I also foresee engaging with policymaking. I plan to collaborate with the local government of Telangana, such as the Department of Scheduled Caste Development, using the findings of my study to highlight shortcomings in policies and actively participate in the reformation of the different ways in which local policy-making could account for ground realities.

Finally, my research intends to be a resource for aspiring Dalit scholars interested in delving into the complexities of land and caste inequalities.