THE NEXUS OF CASTE AND GENDER AS A DETERMINANT OF DESIRE IN INDIAN SOCIETY

Caste based inequality sustained through endogamy is a consistent and ingrained part of India Society and people. This paper depicts the inextricable nexus between the layers of intersectional social identity of an individual and their romantic and sexual desires. The graded form of caste and gender based social inequality called Brahmanical Patriarchy as coined by Ambedkar presents the implicit connection between sexual subordination and heterosexual desire based on caste-based norms. It explains how Casteist violent desires are satisfied. Further, to prove the broad application of the interconnection of caste and gender identity with individual’s Desire this paper provides experiences and examples of the LGBTQIA+ community and the Disabled community to cumulatively prove that there exists an inextricable nexus between an individual’s desire and their caste and gender positionality in Indian society be it an upper or lower caste person, differently abled person or a person of the LGBTQIA+ community.