ABSTRACT
This chapter is about the Caste-Based Public Intellectuals (CBPIs) who provide intellectual visions for politics of their respective castes – formation of social and cultural identities, political recognition, articulation of caste issues and mobilization. Differences in the constant and contingent factors – numerical strength, economic conditions and political clouts of castes, their family backgrounds, educational levels and ideologies are reflected in their visions. The CBPIs of the low and intermediary castes question traditional symbols of cultural, economic and political dominance and those from the high castes highlight the virtues of their respective castes.
