ABSTRACT
The idea of middle class is liberating for the Dalit's in India for the following reasons. First, the membership of this class is based on acquired virtues rather than ascribed attributes. Second, the membership is based on merit, excellence and efficiency, which are the set rules of competition in a liberal society. Third, since the membership of this class is based on universally defined and accepted rules, it should not create any ill feeling among the people when seeking relative placement in the opportunity structure. Fourth, in this process of mobility it is the individual who is held responsible for success or failure and efficiency or inefficiency. Thus, it is the principle of individualism that becomes the governing principle of social relationships within the middle class. Fifth, the notion of individual right assumes paramount importance in the middle class discourse. Finally, one gets from the above a modern individual who acquires a secular, coherent and undifferentiated identity.
