Dalit movement is a struggle that tries to counter attack the socio – cultural hegemony of the upper castes. It is a movement of the masses that craves for justice through the speeches, literary works, dramas, songs, cultural organisations and all the other possible measurers. Abundant evidence shows that India’s Dalit and Adivasi communities remain at the bottom of a “broken ladder” for upward economic and social mobility. Despite constitutional guarantees, well-intentioned government policies, and dedicated efforts by funders and NGOs, social mobility remains out of reach for most members of India’s 300 million Dalit and Adivasi communities. Abundant evidence shows that these two historically marginalised groups remain at the bottom of a “broken ladder” for upward economic and social mobility. For them, the status quo isn’t working. This book is an empirical account of the much debated, yet often misconstrued, category of Dalits in India. It primarily concerns itself with the emergent ideological trends and patterns of identities among the middle class Dalits. This is mainly attributed to India’s post-independence period reservation policies. In a changing context of Dalit assertion and the caste-Hindu opposition to Dalit mobility, it is essential to understand the rapid changes occurring, not only in their economic status, but also in their own perceptions of their socio-political status, especially by focusing on their ideology and identity. This helps in recognizing the socio-economic political changes and the mobility process that the Dalits are undergoing, which also enables an understanding of the general process of social change in India.

Kabir Pandey is a researcher and activist focusing on Dalit mobility and caste politics in India. His publications on social movements and identity politics have been published in sociology journals, highlighting issues of social justice and caste discrimination. Pandey's advocacy for marginalized communities underscores his academic rigor and commitment to addressing systemic inequalities through research and activism.