Dalit Leadership in Panchayats : A Comparative Study of Four States

Contents Preface. Acknowledgements. 1. Introduction Dalit leadership in the new panchayats. 2. Dalit leadership in panchayats in Himachal Pradesh A case study of Shimla and Sirmaur. 3. Dalit leadership in panchayats in Uttar Pradesh A case study of Shivegarh (Rae Bareli). 4. Dalit leadership in panchayats in Madhya Pradesh a case study of Sehore and Satna. 5. Dalit leadership in panchayats in Haryana a case study of Kalanaur (Rohtak). 6. Dalit leadership in the new panchayats a comparative analysis. 7. Summing up. Bibliography. Index. This study is based on the field survey carried out in four states of India on the emerging Dalit leadership in panchayats after the 73rd Constitution Amendment Act. It concentrates on some of the issues like What have been experiences so far of Dalit leaders in panchayats. How do they perceive their newfound role. What are enabling and inhibiting factors. What changes these affirmative actions have brought out at ground levels. What needs to be done to make Dalit leadership more effective so that it brings out positive changes in quality of life of its people. Though situations in different states vary but still there are certain common factors. While education experience family community economic independence and personal initiatives have been found to be enabling factors for the effectiveness of Dalit leadership caste practices is the most important inhibiting factor in all the states. But like many other studies this study has also recognized the potential of Dalit leadership in panchayats. These local leaders have capacities to bring those irreversible positive changes in our social system which could not be achieved by democratically elected state and union governments. 236 pp.…