The present book focuses on caste-based atrocities, prejudices and discrimination discourses in India. Though the nature of humiliation and discriminations has changed but the people mindset has not changed towards the lower strata of the society. Atrocities on dalits have increased in post-colonial era besides having strong legislations to prevent atrocities and affirmative measures across the country. The credentials of Sukhadeo Thorat, the most penetrating mind since B. R. Ambedkar, in analysing Indian society, economy and polity in all their correlates and dynamics, are unexceptionable and unquestionable. His article which forms the first chapter of the book is wide-ranging, insightful, thought-provoking and inspiring. There are fifteen articles prepared by well-known scholars. The range of the articles from rural reality to education and media analyses caste dynamics and persistence of caste in society of India. The book consists of fifteen research papers which were presented at a conference on the issues of caste based discrimination, atrocities against dalits and caste as a everyday practice in Indian society held in Tuljapur in June 2015. The issue of caste atrocities on dalits is the age old phenomenon in Indian society. The present volume deals with this issue of caste atrocities in various forms such as social, political, cultural, educational, and economic phenomenon of the dalits in contemporary society. The book analyses the issues and challenges in the context of modern society of India. There is a wide range of papers presented by scholars, researchers and well known academicians. There is a detail account of ontology of caste practices in society of India. This book will be useful for academicians, social activists, development professionals, researchers, policy makers and students of social sciences- mental moral and humanities and social work disciplines as well.

Dr. Ramesh Jare (M.A. TISS), Ph.D. in Social Work) he is with School of Rural Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) as a Associate Professor. He is the Academic Convener and Programme Convener of MA Social Work with Specialization in Rural Development. He has extensively worked with rural communities on different issues i.e. land, water, sustainable agriculture and watershed management particularly for the rights of Women, Dalits and Tribal communities. He has written several articles, two book, some papers in national and international journals. He has presented his work at various conferences and seminars at national and International level. He has visited Gavale University-Sweden, Kabul University, Afghnistan and presented papers as well. Areas of Interest: Organization of Dalits, Tribal and other Marginal Communities, Local-Self Governance, Participatory Governance, Micro/Participatory Planning, Land, Water and sustainable Agriculture, Food Security, Rehabilitation and Resettlements and Disaster Management. Specialization: (A) Teaching, Training and Community Mobilization in Professional Social Work and local self governance; (B) Policy advocacy on local self Governance and Participatory Democracy; (C) Studies on issues of Dalit ans women rights, Land and water rights; (D) Studies on development of tribes, nomadic and de-notified tribes.TISS Tuljapur Campus, E-mail: rameshjare@tiss.eduDr. Sampat Kale (M.A., Ph.D. in Sociology) is with School of Rural Development, Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) as a Senior Assistant Professor. He is the Programme Convener, MA/M Sc in Sustainable Livelihoods and Natural Resources Governance. He is the in charge of the Social Protection Office of the Tuljapur campus. He is a Life Member of the Indian Sociological Society and the Marathi Samajshastra Parishad. He has written more than two dozens of articles, several books and some papers in national and international journals. He has presented his work at various conferences and seminars at national level. He has visited Karachi-Pakistan, Stockholm-Sweden and presented papers as well. Areas of Interest: Sociology of Development and Change, Sociology of Marginal groups, Rural Development, Voluntary Organization - NGOs, Social Movements, Public policy and Advocacy, Participatory Governance, Good Governance, Transparency and Accountability, Rurban Livelihood and Marginalized, Governance of Natural Resources-Land, Water, Forest& Work, Food Security, Displacement& Development. Specialization: (A) Teaching, Training and Capacity building in local self governance, Rurban livelihoods; (B) Policy advocacy on livelihoods and natural resources; (C) Studies on issues of land rights, water rights, forest and drought; (D) Studies on development of tribes and nomadic tribes and food security; (E) Studies on NGOs and Social Movements. TISS Tuljapur Campus, E-mail: samkale@tiss.edu