Inheritance, Hierarchy and Caste
Origins of Political Decay in India
- Dhananjay Soindaji Wanjari - IRS Officer, and the Additional Director and Faculty of the Planning and Research Division at the National Academy of Direct Taxes, Nagpur, India
Dhananjay Soindaji Wanjari’s book is essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the challenges facing Indian democracy today. Wanjari sees these challenges not as recent developments but rather as the culmination of deep caste divisions within the Indian society. While caste is certainly not a neglected topic among scholars, Wanjari succeeds in restoring forward caste power to its place as the central and continuing challenge to the consolidation of democracy in India.
Dhananjay Soindaji Wanjari’s Inheritance, Hierarchy and Caste offers a well-argued analysis of the intersections of state, society and caste in the Indian society. His exploration of the contentious claims about political decay and the illiberal turn in Indian politics are sure to be provocative, and they will stimulate more thought on the democratic remedies for the challenges facing India’s socio-religious institutions and political life. His book represents a comprehensive and creative examination of the vexed relationship between the state and society, and religion and civil politics in India.