LSST Elephant & Castle Lecturer Dr Dhaneswar Bhoi Presents on Indian Caste Dynamics at Oxford University

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Oxford University welcomed LSST’s Elephant and Castle Lecturer Dr Dhaneswar Bhoi for an erudite discourse on the pervasive and often insidious nature of caste dynamics in historic and contemporary Indian society. The event, which took place on 14 June 2024, delved into the nuances of caste through the lens of lived experiences and emotional resonances, as encapsulated in Dr Bhoi’s seminal and transformative work, ‘Caste in Everyday Life: Experience and Affect in Indian Society’. 

 

The event, co-organised by the Oxford Ambedkar Initiative and the University of Oxford, was an intellectual confluence of some of the most distinguished minds in sociology, psychology and South Asian studies. It was headlined by Dr Bhoi, a luminary in social psychology at LSST and an Honorary Fellow at the University of Edinburgh.  

Ali Jafar Zaidi, Deputy CEO of LSST, said: ‘We are immensely proud of Dr Bhoi’s contributions to the field of caste systems and social psychology and his unwavering dedication to shedding light on critical social issues. His research enriches academic discourse and offers a deeper understanding of the complexities of caste dynamics. Events like this underscore the vital role that scholarly work plays in addressing societal challenges and promoting intellectual growth. Dr Bhoi’s work exemplifies the calibre of scholarship we strive to support at LSST.’ 

Syed Rizvi, Academic Dean of LSST Elephant and Castle and Dean of Learning & Teaching, said at the event: ‘Dr Bhoi is a revered authority in the intricate domain of caste systems and caste experiences. His literary magnum opus titled, ‘Caste in Everyday Life: Experience and Affect in Indian Society’ is exceptional work that is poised to profoundly impact the multifaceted manifestations and experiences of caste within social life. We are delighted his work is now readily accessible to academics, researchers and students worldwide.’ 

View the event here: 

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Adding a scholarly voice from within Oxford’s academic community, Asang Wankhede, a D.Phil. candidate in Law and Associate Editor of the Oxford University Commonwealth Law Journal, brought a moderator’s perspective to the discussion, enriching the debate with his academic rigour and contextual expertise.  Asang said: ‘Dr Bhoi’s timely intervention recognises the pervasiveness of caste discrimination in all aspects of life. The book displays Dr Bhoi’s deep understanding of caste and social sciences methodology. It makes an original contribution to the field of knowledge by providing empirical accounts of everyday realities of caste from sound theoretical lenses.’  

 

A message from Professor Eleanor Nesbitt, Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick 

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Joining him was Professor Hugo Gorringe, Head of the Sociology Department and former Co-Director of the Centre for South Asian Studies at the University of Edinburgh. Professor Gorringe is also co-editor of ‘Caste in Everyday Life: Experience and Affect in Indian Society’ who has dedicated his extensive research to caste movements and social justice. 

A message from Professor Jens Lerche, Emeritus Professor at SOAS, University of London 

 

The dialogue was further enriched by the participation of eminent discussants, including Professor Eleanor Nesbitt, Emeritus Professor at the University of Warwick, whose work on Sikh studies and religious and cultural pluralism provided a vital contextual backdrop for understanding caste dynamics. 

Professor Jens Lerche, Emeritus Professor at SOAS, University of London, known for his critical engagement with agrarian change and labour relations in India, also contributed extensive knowledge to the deliberations. 

Concluding the assembly of erudite voices was Dr Jesús Chairez-Garza, a Lecturer at the University of Manchester. Dr Chairez-Garza’s research into the historical and contemporary implications of caste underscored the enduring academic relevance of caste systems and social stratification. 

‘This academic congregation not only celebrated our book’s publication but also fostered an in-depth understanding of the quotidian realities and dimensions of caste in Indian society,’ said Dr Bhoi. ‘The Oxford Ambedkar Initiative, in organising this event, continued its commendable tradition of fostering critical dialogue on pressing social issues, thereby contributing significantly to the academic and public discourse.’ 

 

 

The hugely successful event was a seminal moment in studying caste systems, offering insights and fostering a deeper understanding of a phenomenon that continues to shape lives and societies in complex ways.  

 

For further information on Dr Bhoi and his academic work, please visit:  https://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/dhaneswar-bhoi. 

For additional information regarding Caste in Everyday Life or to engage with Dr Bhoi in discussions related to this groundbreaking work, please direct inquiries to LSST’s Public Relations Manager via kunal.mehta@lsst.ac. 

To find out more about Dr Bhoi’s recent book ‘Caste in Everyday Life: Experience and Affect in Indian Society’ visit: https://www.lsst.ac/news/lsst-elephant-and-castle-celebrates-profound-scholarly-achievement-dr-dhaneswar-bhoi-publishes-transformative-work-on-caste-in-everyday-life/   

 

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