Representation, Hegemony and Governance: Alternative Contestations

In: History and sociology of South Asia, Band 4, Heft 1, S. 75-84

Abstract

This article reflects upon the discourses responding to the hegemony in Indian society, particularly from the perspectives of most marginalised sections, that is, the ex-Untouchables or the present day Dalits. Their exclusion being not merely social but a collaborative exclusion, where exclusion is both in multiple spaces of politics, society, culture, economy; as well as from multiple groups like Brahmins, Vaishyas, Kshatriyas, Shudras, Minorities, etc., their response to the hegemony also remains problematic and perplex. Here it is argued that in the modern times, apart from others, Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram confronted it. The former realised that the nationalist agenda during British rule was representing two hegemonic blocs, Hindus led by Congress and the Muslims by Muslim League. Nevertheless, he maintained equi-distance from the duo and worked on alternatives. He could visualise the mounting hegemonic propensity in the Shudra leadership that was pragmatically confronted by Kanshi Ram through the 'beneficiaries of reservation', thus challenging the politics of representation, governance, equity and consequent hegemony as per their times and context.