Rethinking State Politics in India

<p>In recent decades, India has been witness to the assertion of geographically, culturally and historically constituted, distinct and well-defined, regions that display ethnic, communal, caste and other social–political cleavages. </p><p>This book examines the changing configurations of state politics in India. Focusing on identity politics and development, it explores the specificities of the regions within states — not merely as politico-administrative constructs but also as conceived in historical, geographic, economic, sociological or cultural terms. Adopting a comparative approach, the book looks at alternative theoretical approaches, the quest for homeland, identity, caste politics and public policy. </p><p>This second edition includes a new Introduction that updates the research in the area, while further developing the theoretical framework.</p><p>One of the first major volumes on federalism in India, including studies from across the nation, this book will be indispensable for students and scholars of political science, sociology, history and South Asian studies.</p> <p>Introduction to the Second Edition—Beyond Nation-State: Framing Regional Politics in India <em>Ashutosh Kumar </em>Introduction <strong>Part 1: United Colours of New States</strong> 1. Rethinking ‘Regional Developmental Imbalances’; Spatial Versus the Socio-Political ‘Region’: The Case of Tribals in Jharkhand 2. Constitution of a Region: A Study of Chhattisgarh 3. The Creation of a Region: Politics of Identity and Development in Uttarakhand<em> </em> <strong>Part 2: Quest for Territorial Homeland</strong> 4. Regions within Region and their Movements in Karnataka: Nuances, Claims and Ambiguities 5. Backwardness and Political Articulation of Backwardness in the North Bengal Region of West Bengal 6. Assertion of a Region: Exploring the Demand for Telengana 7. Region, Caste and Politics of ‘Reverse Discrimination’: The Case of Harit Pradesh 8. Regions Within but Democracy Without: A Study of India’s Northeast 9. Politics of Autonomy in a Comparative Perspective: Punjab and Jammu and Kashmir <strong>Part 3: Caste and Politics of Marginality</strong> 10. <em>Garv Se Kahon Hum Lingayat Hain!</em> Caste Associations and Identity Politics in Maharashtra 11. Emergence of Dalit Organizations in Tamil Nadu: Causes, Forms of Assertion and Impact on the State Politics 12. Affirmative Action, Group Rights and Democracy: The Mala-Madiga Conflict in Andhra Pradesh 13. Caste and Marginality in Punjab: Looking for Regional Specificities <strong>Part 4: State Electoral Politics: Regional Variance</strong> 14. Sub-regions, Identity and the Nature of Political Competition in Rajasthan 15. Negotiating Political Spaces: A Case Study of Karnataka <strong>Part 5: Politics of Public Policy</strong> 16. Political Regimes and Economic Reforms: A Study of Bihar and Madhya Pradesh <em>About the Editor. Notes on Contributors. Index</em></p>