New Books Network Suraj Milind Yengde, "Caste: A Global Story" (Hurst, 2025)
Dec 25, 2025
Suraj Milind Yengde, an Assistant Professor and author known for his work on caste and race, dives into the global implications of caste discrimination. He connects anti-caste movements in India with African-American political thought, shedding light on how migration reshapes identity. Yengde explores parallels between caste and race, discusses the impact of Dalit literature, and reviews recent caste activism in the U.S. His insights into the evolution of caste perspectives are particularly compelling, revealing the diverse struggles against systemic hierarchies.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Personal Origin Of The Book
- Suraj Milind Yengde describes growing up in Nandade and being introduced to global anti-caste politics by his father watching Kofi Annan on TV.
- That early exposure and later archival work during COVID sparked the global-focus book project.
How Modern Anti‑Caste Politics Formed
- Suraj traces modern anti-caste struggle from 19th-century colonial encounters to organized 20th-century movements.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar emerges as the national leader who centralized and nationalized Dalit politics within the freedom struggle.
Caste And Race: Parallel Systems
- Yengde connects caste and race as modern, systemic hierarchies that shape resource distribution and identity.
- He emphasizes both parallels and distinct historical trajectories, focusing on Dalit–Black comparisons in political struggle.