Peoples Telangana

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Understanding Caste Negation: A Guide to Modern Social Realities

1. Defining the Concept: What is Caste Negation? In contemporary sociological discourse, Caste Negation is identified not as a simple factual disagreement, but as a sophisticated discursive strategy . It encompasses the various rhetorical methods used to deny, minimize, or dismiss the persistent relevance of caste as a structural system of hierarchy and discrimination. By framing caste as an archaic or exaggerated issue, these arguments serve to insulate existing power dynamics from critical scrutiny. These arguments typically emerge through three primary analytical lenses: • Savarna (Upper-Caste) Perspectives: Rooted in a lack of lived experience with systemic exclusion, often misinterpreting the absence of personal prejudice as the absence of structural oppression. • Liberal Meritocratic Individualism: A framework that prioritizes individual achievement while systematically ignoring the inherited advantages and "head starts" pro...

What role does digital media play in spreading caste negation narratives?

Digital media serves as a primary platform where caste negation narratives are constructed and disseminated , often originating from upper-caste, liberal meritocratic, or modernisation-focused perspectives. These digital spaces facilitate several key discursive strategies that serve to maintain privilege: • Amplifying the "Caste-Blind" Narrative: Social media allows individuals to widely broadcast claims of "caste-blindness," where they present their personal non-recognition of caste as a progressive stance. This digital performance often involves mistaking inherited caste privilege for personal neutrality or merit , effectively shielding the speaker's social standing from systemic scrutiny. • Promoting Exceptionalism over Systemic Data: Digital media is a major site for denial through exceptionalism , where personal anecdotes (e.g., "I have Dalit friends") are used to invalidate systemic data like National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) reports on...

The Invisible Wall: 5 Surprising Ways We Deny Caste in Modern India

In the glass-walled offices of Gurugram and the high-end bistros of South Mumbai, a convenient amnesia permeates social discourse. "Caste doesn't matter anymore," is the standard refrain of the modern professional—a claim that suggests India has finally transitioned into a pure meritocracy where talent is the only valid currency. However, this narrative often masks a sophisticated phenomenon known as caste negation . Rather than an outright disappearance of hierarchy, we are witnessing a set of discursive strategies designed to downplay or dismiss the ongoing relevance of caste as a structural reality. While many urban Indians believe they are living in a post-caste era, the arguments used to ignore caste often serve a specific, hegemonic purpose: shielding the inherited privileges of the few from the scrutiny of the many. Here are five surprising ways we maintain the invisible wall of caste in modern India. 1. The Myth of the "Post-Caste" Society A p...

From Satirical News to the Senate: 6 Impactful Takeaways from the Rise of Teenmar Mallanna

The political trajectory of Chintapandu Naveen Kumar—universally recognized by his screen name "Teenmar Mallanna"—represents one of the most jarring arcs in contemporary Indian politics. Long before he walked the halls of power, Mallanna was a fixture in Telangana households, a satirical news presenter on V6 who channeled the raw, unvarnished anger of the Telangana agitation into a microphone. Today, the satirist has become the story, transitioning from mocking the establishment to sitting within it as a member of the Legislative Council (MLC). His victory in the "Graduates' Constituency" is the ultimate political Rorschach test. It raises a definitive question for the educated voter: is Mallanna a vital anti-establishment force born of frustration, or a symptom of a deepening populist anarchy? 1. The "Crime-O-Meter" Paradox: 56 Charges and a Seat in the House Mallanna’s legal profile, as detailed in his MyNeta affidavit, is a study in extremes. In a c...