CHALLENGES AMONG DALIT LEADERSHIP IN PRESENT POLITICS OF INDIA: A SOCIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS (A CASE STUDY OF AGRA CITY)

The word ‘Politics’ is derived from the Greek word ‘Polis’ which means City and State. Politics is a collective activity. Politics is situated in all contexts where there is a power structure and a power struggle to obtain or maintain leadership. In the Indian context, a major part of politics is known as Dalit Politics. Dalit leaders have played a significant role in the lives of lower caste people. They have created a meaningful political identity for Dalits and inspired them in the collective movement for social change. The work of integrating Dalits into the mainstream was done by Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar. He demanded a separate representation for Dalits, which was a strong demand for the political participation of Dalits. On September 24, 1932, an agreement was signed between Dr Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi which is known as Poona Pact. In this agreement, the separate electorate for the Dalit class was abolished and the place of the untouchables in the Legislative Assembly was reserved as the Hindu class. The Puna pact increased the political, ideological, cultural and religious degradation of Dalits which destroyed the real and independent leadership of Dalits to oppose the Brahmanical social system. Kanshi Ram is the one of the Dalit leaders who creating a consciousness among the Dalit community members as a collectivity. The collectivity among the Dalit group showed the meaningfulness of their identity. This seems to be possible due to the active engagement of leaders representing the identity of the followers and directing them to the living standard filled with pride. It was observed that Dalits identify with their leader like Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and Kanshi Ram as role models who started a creative Dalit movement and consciousness, leading to the hope for social change and make our own identity. Due to the lack of effective leadership, Dalit politics currently faces many challenges, including untouchability, social discrimination and economic disparities. The main objective of this research paper is to explores the challenges faced by Dalit leadership in the present politics in India.