Jens Lerche

Is Bonded Labour a Bound category? Reconceptualising Agrarian Conflict in India

This article discusses the position of ‘agrarian struggle’ within agrarian labour relations in India. It is argued that local labour relations and conflicts should be understood within the context of a wider balance of power between the concerned groups, regionally as well as locally. When examining local relations from this perspective, a number of well‐established positions on agrarian conflict can be challenged. The interrelationship between patron‐client relations on the one hand, and (what is here labelled) class‐caste struggle on the other is reassessed, and it is found that they are not mutually opposed. The categories ‘unfree’ and ‘bonded’ labour relations are also reassessed. Such relations do not seem to necessarily entail the dominance normally expected. ‘Bonded’ labour relations may, in fact, not hamper collective initiative among the landless, whereas the ‘ general political dominance of the landed groups certainly may. The article is based on fieldwork data from Uttar Pradesh.

Development Failure and Identity Politics in Uttar Pradesh

Preface Introduction: Democratisation in Uttar Pradesh - Craig Jeffrey Rural Transformation and Occupational Diversification in Western Uttar Pradesh: Economic and Demographic Changes in a Village - Satendra Kumar Underserved and Overdosed? Muslims and the Pulse Polio Initiative in Rural North India - Patricia Jeffery The Elusive Pursuit of Social Justice for Dalits in Uttar Pradesh - Ali Mehdi Agency in Words, Self-representation in Action: Connecting and Disconnecting Dalit and Low-Caste Women With Indias History of Gender and Politics - Manuela Ciotti Political Cooperation And Distrust: Identity Politics and Yadav-Muslim Relations, 1999-2009 - Lucia Michelutti and Oliver Heath On Whose Behalf? Womens Activism and Identity Politics in Uttar Pradesh - Radhika Govinda The Politics of Identity and the People Left Behind: The Mallah Community of Uttar Pradesh - Assa Doron Working Narratives of Intercommunity Harmony in Varanasis Silk Sari Industry - Philippa Williams Democracy and Development in Uttar Pradesh - Zoya Hasan Glossary Index