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VOL. 8, ISSUE 1 (2026)
Seats without power: The paradox of scheduled caste legislative representation in Assam
Authors
Dr. Arup Kumar Deka
Abstract
This article analyses the nature and limits of Scheduled Caste (SC)
political empowerment in Assam, challenging dominant interpretations derived
largely from North Indian experiences. It situates SC politics within Assam’s
distinctive socio-political milieu, where caste is deeply imbricated with
ethnic, linguistic, and regional cleavages. Drawing on a mixed-methods design
that combines longitudinal legislative data (1952–2021) with qualitative
interviews, the study examines patterns of representation and political
practice among SC legislators in the Assam Legislative Assembly. The analysis
demonstrates a persistent disjunction between descriptive and substantive
representation. Although constitutional reservations secure proportional
numerical presence, SC legislators—predominantly from the Kaibarta
community—operate with limited political autonomy. High electoral turnover,
dependence on dominant party structures, and the privileging of migration and
Assamese nationalist agendas constrain the articulation of an autonomous Dalit
political project. The article further highlights gendered exclusion and
intra-caste fragmentation, particularly between Kaibartas and Namasudras,
arguing that formal inclusion in Assam’s multi-ethnic polity has not translated
into substantive empowerment.
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Pages:121-127
How to cite this article:
Dr. Arup Kumar Deka "Seats without power: The paradox of scheduled caste legislative representation in Assam". International Journal of Social Science and Humanities, Vol 8, Issue 1, 2026, Pages 121-127
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