“To resist, first we must see”: unlearning caste privilege among university students
摘要
This study explores attitudes expressed by students at several higher education institutions in India, focusing specifically on perceptions of caste dynamics. Through focus groups and follow-up interviews, we sought to understand whether upper-caste students were open to relating caste background and possessing a degree of privilege. It became clear that these students are not routinely invited to share their thoughts about caste in an informal or provisional manner. Our data allow us to compare the perceptions of an in-group’s sense of caste in India with the sense of race or defense of colorblindness observed among white students in the USA. Many students consider reservations or affirmative action policies as impediments to meritocracy, echoing wider societal aversions to confronting caste-based inequities. Their education did not provide them with substantial reasons for reservation policy beyond the obvious rural–urban educational and infrastructural divide, along with varying conditions of economic deprivation. We found many students believe caste in contemporary times is centered more on family reputation than on religion. They reflected on the potential of intercaste marriage as a means of intervening in caste hierarchy. The findings call for a transformative approach to diversity and inclusion, recognizing the intricate intersections of caste, privilege, and social justice within higher education. They underscore the need for dialogue on caste contexts within Indian academia to create a more equitable environment for social and academic success.