Caste as Structure and Contradiction: A Critical Study of An and Teltumbde’s Writings

Abstract

This paper offers a critical examination of how Anand Teltumbde theorises caste in contemporary India. Moving beyond conventional interpretations that treat caste as a declining social hierarchy, Teltumbde conceptualises it as an evolving structure embedded within modern economic and political systems. Through an analysis of key works such as The Persistence of Caste and Republic of Caste, this study demonstrates how caste adapts to neoliberal capitalism, democratic institutions, and identity-based politics. By situating caste within the framework of political economy, Teltumbde reorients Dalit discourse toward structural critique. This paper argues that his work exposes the limitations of liberal narratives of progress and calls for a deeper engagement with systemic inequality.