AFFIRMATIVE-ACTION AND ELITE FORMATION - AN UNTOUCHABLE FAMILY HISTORY

A multigenerational case study of an elite Untouchable family reveals the problems of integration, ''passing,'' and cultural affirmation in the development and democratization process. As a nonvisible minority it is possible to facilitate integration in Indian urban areas by hidi ng caste, while affirmative action programs facilitate upward mobility at the cost of having to proclaim Untouchable caste identity. These c ontradictory imperatives illustrate the difficulties facing elite Unto uchables in achieving emancipation.