New social and political movements of dalits: A study of Meeruf district

This study, based upon fieldwork in selected villages, examines 'new' forms of dalit assertion in Meerut district. Despite a long history of dalit ass ertion, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) has not been electorally successful i n this region, and has had to compete with the Samajwadi Party. Dalit asser tion here has taken different forms, as much socio-cultural as political. T wo forms analysed here are the desire for education to compete with upper c astes, and attempts to control local politics and resource distribution thr ough the new panchayats. The study shows that the traditional structures of rural dominance based upon land and social status are undergoing change. T he traditionally dominant position of the Rajputs, Jats and Gujars has been challenged by the dalits, and to a lesser extent by the 'Most Backward Cas tes' (MBCs), but identity assertion and desire for upward mobility have als o created conflict between the dalits and the MBCs. The article concludes t hat socio-cultural and political assertion by dalits at the grassroots leve l is of greater significance and more helpful to the BSP in establishing it self as a party/movement, than are its electoral successes or capture of po litical power in the state.