Ongoing Major Research Project: “Mapping Social Exclusion and Right to Representation: A

Study of Students’ Union Body in Central Universities in India”. The Project is sponsored by the

University Grants Commission, India.

“The Atrocities Against Dalits: Emerging Patterns”: A Study of Bihar, Haryana, Punjab and Uttar Pradesh”. The study was sponsored by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India and the Indian institute of Dalit Studies, New Delhi. (Project Report Submitted)

“Role of Local Institutions and Poverty Eradication in Bhojpur, Chittoor and Kalahandi”. The

Study was sponsored by the Planning Commission, Government of India, 2004 ( The Study is

Currently Being Updated with the support of the Council for Social Development, New Delhi)

“Industrial Pollution in Delhi: A Study of Sahibabad”. Coordinated the Project Sponsored by the

Department of Political Science, University of Delhi, 2001

Ph.D- “B.R. Ambedkar’s Perspectives on Human Rights”, University of Hyderabad, 2006

The study focuses on the evolution of Ambedkarism as an ideology. The attempt is to analyse the

transformative nature of the Human Rights discourse in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s works. His ideas as

reflected in the drafting of the Indian Constitution played a crucial role in modernizing and secularizing

Indian society. The current upsurge of neo-fascist dogmas are trying to undermine the rational principles

for which Dr. B.R. Ambedkar struggled.

M.Phil: “Factionalism in Andhra Pradesh: A Case Study of Padirikuppam in Chittoor District”, University of Hyderabad, 1996

The work tries to analyse the political economy of Andhra Pradesh and its linkages with the factional

groups in the region. The intense political rivalry leads to further marginalization of the already deprived

groups both in terms of access to political power and right to use resources.

Research Projects

These can be grouped broadly into

Issues of Social Exclusion and Right to Representation

Governance and Inclusive Development

The research scholars under my supervision have also wrote their dissertations and theses on

themes revolving around Human Rights, Culture, Gender, Dignity, Self-Respect and Marginality

Papers Taught

Compulsory papers for MA Students

Interpreting India

Modern Indian Political Thinkers.

Optional Papers for MA Students

Democracy and Human Rights in India

Theory and Praxis of Social Exclusion (From 2011)

Democracy and Development Politics in India (from 2003-2004)

Gandhian Thought and Action (from 2001-2003)

Optional Paper for M.Phil Students

Dalit Politics in India (Opted for Two Years)

Conceptualizing Human Dignity (Current Academic Year)

‘Negotiating Citizenship: The Dalit Perspective’, a Three day national seminar on ‘Citizenship, Nationality and Globalisation’ organized by Department of Philosophy, Dravidian University, Kuppam, AP, to be presented on 16-18^th September 2010.

Participated in consultation on ‘Interfacing for Emancipation: Dalit Theologians and Activists in Conversation for Collaboration’ organized by, The Collective of Dalit Ecumenical Christian Scholars (CODECS) in collaboration with South Asia Theological and Research Institute (SATHRI), the Ecumenical Christian Center (ECC), the Student Christian Movement in India (SCMI) and the World Council of Churches (WCC) during 5-9 August, 2010 at the Ecumenical Christian Center, Whitefield, Bangalore.

‘Caste Violence in Uttar Pradesh: Emerging Trends’, National Seminar on ‘Human Rights in India: Dalits and Minorities’, Center for Human Rights Studies, University of Hyderabad, Hyderabad on 20-21^st February 2010.

‘Mapping Dalit Atrocities in Bihar’, National Conference on ‘Exclusionary Perspectives for Muslims and Marginalised Groups’, organized by Center for Study of Social Exclusion and Inclusive Policy, Maulana Azad National Urdu University, Hyderabad on 22-24^th February 2010.

“The Thoti’s Stick: Re-hegemonizing the Self “, National Seminar on “Research Trends in Castes and Tribes of Southern India: A Centenary Seminar”. Programme for the Study of Discrimination and Exclusion, SSS, JNU, 24-25 November 2009.

“Ambedkar’s Perspectives on Human Rights”, National Seminar on ‘Ambedkar as a Social Theorist’, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow, April 14-15, 2009

 “Ambedkarism as an Ideology”, Workshop organized by the United Dalits Students Front, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, April 9-14, 2009

“Middle-Class Apathy and the Political Economy of Andhra Pradesh”, National Seminar on ‘The Middle Class Discourse, Mass Politics and the Making of the ‘Global’ India’, Punjab University, Chandigarh, March 26-27, 2009

“A Transformative Perspective on Human Rights”, National Seminar on “The Human Rights Discourse in India”, Centre for Federal and Human Rights Studies, Jamia Hamdard University, March 20-21, 2009

“Identity Politics in Andhra Pradesh”, National Seminar on ‘Identity Politics’, Motilal Nehru College, University of Delhi, March 28-29, 2008

“Everyday Exclusion in Institutions of Higher Learning: Experiences from Hyderabad University”, National Seminar on ‘Social Exclusion’, Zakir Hussain College, University of Delhi, March 20-21, 2008

“Ambedkar and Political Rights”, APISA International Conference on Social Justice, Developing Countries Research Centre, Delhi University, November 23-24, 2007

“Telugu Dalit Writings and Gender Consciousness”, National Conference on ‘Narratives of Women and the Indian Nation’, Daulat Ram College, University of Delhi, November 20-22, 2007

“Politics of Poverty and Grassroots Governance: The Andhra Pradesh Experience”, The International Conference on ‘Local Governance and Public Policy: An India-China Interaction’, Department of East Asian Studies, University  of Delhi and Institute of Chinese Studies, New Delhi, October 15-16, 2007

“Is Society Civil: Education and Disempowerment”, Osmania University, Hyderabad, March 23-24, 2007

“Freedom and Development: An Ambedkarite Critic of Amartya Sen”, National Seminar on ‘Economic Development, Globalisation and Marginalized Sections’, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Central University, Lucknow, November 28-29, 2006

“Religion, Ecology and Human Rights”, (Joint Paper with Dr. Shailaja Menon), National Seminar on ‘Human Rights in the Era of Globalization’, Hyderabad Central University, Hyderabad, November 3-4, 2006

“Chittoor: State Institutions and Poverty”, National Seminar at Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University, Aurangabad, 2004

“Invisible Displacement: A Study of Dalit Displacement in Andhra Pradesh”, The 14^th Grassroots Politics Colloquium, on ‘Development and Displacement’, Developing Countries Research Centre, University of Delhi, February 13-14, 2003