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Proquest Dissertations DYNAMISM OF DALIT EPISTEMOLOGY: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CASTE AND CLASS By Dil B. Bishwakanna "DB Sagar" Submitted to the Faculty of the College of Arts and Sciences of American University in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Arts In Sociology Chair: ~);&-~~~ Dr. Bette . Dickerson /!_~ Dr. Russell A. Stone De~p.~'ff the Colleg>;of Arts and Sciences \Uce-.1er \6 I L ccn Date 2009 American University Washington, D.C. 20016 AMERICAN U.~IVERSITY liBRARY UMI Number: 1481836 All rights reserved INFORMATION TO ALL USERS The quality of this reproduction is dependent upon the quality of the copy submitted. In the unlikely event that the author did not send a complete manuscript and there are missing pages, these will be noted. Also, if material had to be removed, a note will indicate the deletion. UMI 1481836 Copyright 2010 by ProQuest LLC. All rights reserved. This edition of the work is protected against unauthorized copying under Title 17, United States Code. --Pro uesr ProQuest LLC 789 East Eisenhower Parkway P.O. Box 1346 Ann Arbor, Ml48106-1346 To My Father, Mr. Bhim B. Bishwakarma and My Mother, Mrs. Mayadevi Bishwakarma With gratitude for Their love and sacrifice ©COPYRIGHT by Dil B. Bishwakarma "DB Sagar" 2009 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED DYNAMISM OF DALIT EPISTEMOLOGY: INTERACTIONS BETWEEN CASTE AND CLASS BY Dil B. Bishwakarma "DB Sagar" ABSTRACT Nearly 4.5 million Dalits have been segregated, oppressed, and excluded from mainstream processes even after the changed political circumstances in Nepal because the caste system blocks sociopolitical transformation and has more influence on the existing society and state than class. Marxism/conflict theoretical ideology explores the critical inquiry of caste/class-based social structure and a vision of human emancipation and self-realization. The emergence of class struggles has not been able to resolve potential caste/communal struggles between dominant and subordinate groups. This study is grounded in qualitative research methodology to examine the variables that interact or clash between two fundamental social dogmas: caste and class as they relate to Dalit epistemology. Dalit epistemology is an alternative idea that provides positive thoughts and strategic directions to empower and organize Dalits from the bottom up by developing consciousness of Dalithood to transform communal battles toward democratic ballots in broader coalitions with other subordinate groups and progressive forces. 11 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS Writing this thesis project was a mutual effort, and I would like to thank everyone who has supported it to its completion. I do not think I could have accomplished my academic goal from the American University, a leading institution of learning in the United States, if my wife Kamala K. Bishwakarma would not have encouraged me with her passion and dedication while handling our everyday lives. During my time in school, she sacrificed and struggled with my time and financial constraints as well as my emotions and ambitions for Nepal's Dalit movement and politics-perhaps because of her deep love and passion for me as well as her belief in me. Similarly, this would not be possible without supports of my younger brother, Rajan Lohani who handled business and family back home, I appreciate his supports. One of the greatest regrets in my life is that I never had the chance to share the fulfillment of my academic dream and happiness with my father and mother, Bhim and Mayadevi Bishwakarma. My parents taught me to have a dream and to rise up from poverty, injustice, discrimination, and domination and to explore a course of human emancipation with the help of education. Their dream and struggles shaped the foundation that nurtured me. I especially acknowledge the courage and sacrifice my parents offered. They never asked for anything from me, and they devoted their entire lives to my happiness. They continue to be the candlelight that leads me to my future. I lll miss them every moment and feel their love even though they are not physically present with me. I believe they are blessing me from heaven. I am very grateful to Dr. Bette Dickerson, sociology professor at the American University, who has been interested in and involved with the Dalit issues, which she likens to the African American issues in the United States. This may be one of the reasons Dr. Dickerson gave me special encouragement to pursue academic studies and agreed to be Chair of my thesis committee. I have been inspired by her leadership, which enabled me to form a critical framework of my own experiences and ideas. My special thanks go to Dr. Russell A. Stone, sociology professor at the American University, who promptly accepted my request to be a member of the thesis committee. Dr. Stone provided me with substantial input and offered helpful suggestions. I am also indebted to Dr. Salvador Vidal-Ortiz, sociology professor at the Ame~ican University, for his guidelines on developing my thesis proposal. Similarly, my sincere thanks go to Department of Sociology and its Chair, Dr. John Drysdale, as well as to my professors for nurturing my academic ideas, enhancing wisdom, and providing overall assistance. I also wish to thank those individuals whose contributions are reflected in my study. I drew much of my inspiration from the many Dalit activists and community members who have dedicated their lives to combating caste discrimination, untouchability, and inequality; and who are dedicated to inclusive democracy, justice, and freedom-they have all touched my spirit and life. They include Rt. Honorable Prime Minister Mr. Madhav Kumar Nepal; Honorable Members of the Constituency Assembly lV ... \ Mr. Hari Shripaili and CPN-UML leader Mr. Bishnu Poudel; and the community members, Dalit leaders and scholars I met in the summer of 2009 during the !CDR/American University's Alternative Break: Nepal program. Although the names of the people I met during this visit are too many to list, I appreciate all their ideas and the experiences they shared with my team and me. Jc have many people to thank for their active participation in the focus group and online discussions-for their ideas, comments, and permission to reproduce copyrighted materials. The discussions I had with them proved to be invaluable. I also want to acknowledge Patricia Hill Collins, a feminist theorist, and her work, Black Feminist Thought (2000), as well as many scholars from whom I have benefited and whose scholarly work I have cited. I also thank my older brother, Mr. Man Bdr. BK, for showing me the academic path, even though we had gone through a critical time. Likewise, I had been benefited from www.nepaldalitinfo.com, an international network for Nepal Dalit resources and its founder Dr. Drona Rasaili, for providing useful information. I also would like to thank Shoshanna Sumka, American University's Alternative Break coordinator and one of my good friends, for her encouragement as well as Alternative Break: Nepal team members, faculty advisor Prof. Iwetta Pyc, and translators. I also thank Precious Frazier, my classmate, for her willingness to be co-leader of the Alternative Break: Nepal program 2009. The Alternative Break: Nepal program helped me to interact with community members, observe subtle elements of caste discrimination and untouchability, and see how the caste system affects the everyday lives of millions of v people in subordinate groups. I especially appreciate Rajan Lohani, who managed all program activities and arranged hospitality in the field. My thanks also go to ICDR (www.icdrforum.org), especially Dr. Mary Cameron, Dr. Steve Folmar, Prof. Thomas E. Weisskopf, Dr. DK Gurung, Chris Taylor, Ashok Bharti; and interns Katie Gale and Randi Guzman, who offered help and generosity. My special thanks go to Vanessa Caceres, my editor for this thesis project. She helped with editing and asked critical questions that made my writing more specific. She was often ready to help, even at the last minute. I appreciate her compassion and readiness. I have not forgotten those who encouraged my elapsed dream and who wrote recommendation letters for admission and scholarship to my academic mission. My sincere thanks go to Dr. Lynn Bennett, lead social development specialist/SACNA, World Bank Nepal office; Dr. David Gellner, anthropology professor at Oxford University, London; Dr. Laurie Vasily, one of my friends; and Mr. Keith Leslie, friend of Dalits, ICDR founder member, and former regional director of Save the Children US. Similarly, I thank Mr. Deepak Jang Bishwokarma, former member of the National Dalit Commission and one of my best friends, for his guardianship and enthusiastic encouragement. Often when I became frustrated, he would motivate and inspire me by illustrating several historical and symbolic positive examples. I thank you all and expect that this study will be helpful in eliminating the pathology of social disease­ untouchability and domination. I also believe the study will provide a positive perspective to members of the society and state in that it validates the identity of the Vl Dalits and highlights the interaction of the fundamental social entities o( caste and class-two wheels of Nepalese society and politics. Finally, sincere thanks go to my father-in-law and mother-in-law Mr. Ram K. Nepali and Ms. Huma K. Nepali for their generosity, encouragement, and love. They often remind me of my academic goal to earn a PhD. I hope I can make it!! Vll TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT ............................................................................... ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ............................................................ iii LIST OF CONTENTS ................................................................. viii LIST OF TABLES ...... 0 •••••••••••••••• 0 ••••••• 0 0 ••••••••••••••• 0 •• 0 ••• 0 0 0 ••• 0 0 ••••••••• x LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS ............................................................................. xi LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS ............ 0 •••••••• oo •• 0 0 ••••••••• 0 0 ••••••••••••••••••• xii GLOSSARY ....... o •••••••••• o •••• o 000 000 000 000 000 ••••••••• o •••• o •• 0 Ooo •••••• o •••••• o ••• xiv Chapter I. INTRODUCTION 0 0 •••• 0 0 0.
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