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...
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...