ABSTRACT
A central question that emerges is whether identity politics is a potent source of political protest endowed with transformational ability to address marginalization and powerlessness; the social indicators for the collective identification of the potential ‘in-group’ with shared experience and grievances. The introduction seeks to outline the theoretical dimensions of the five chapters through the interconnected nature of legitimate authority, representative power and notion of social justice. Certainly, since independence, caste has found creative and innovative ways in a democratizing environment to define itself and act collectively in political arenas. Identity politics has provided in distinct ways channels of communication, political leadership and organization for the affected group to participate in electoral politics. Mobilized around caste, affected social groups have sought to use the resulting political power to chart a political course to increased availability of benefits and patronage and gained a seat at the table and earned social respect. Thus, caste in its modern sense is a normative identitarian category to outline a democratizing politics of representation.
