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There are two ways of looking at democracy. One is the view of the state, policymakers and so on, which shows the dissemination and spread of democracy in statistical terms. The other view is the one from the bottom. This view helps us understand and grapple with the reality of the spread of democracy, and enables us to observe the groups and communities excluded from the process of democratic empowerment.

Fractured Tales documents narratives of the voiceless and invisible Dalit castes that have been left out in the 60 years of state-led Indian democracy. Exploring the deepening of democracy among the Dalits of Uttar Pradesh, it argues that the process of democratization of these communities over-represents some groups such as the Chamars and Pasis while neglecting others like the Musahar, Bansphor and Sapera communities. These ‘invisible’ communities are unable to assert their presence in the ever-evolving political contestation between multiple marginal groups. Delving into the politics of visibility, empowerment, and exclusion, the author captures the growing sense of disillusionment among marginalized Dalit communities.

Contents: Preface. Introduction: Tracing Invisibles. 1. A beggar’s song of democracy. 2. Is it a snake or a rope? Democracy and identity politics in India. 3. Democracy, deprivation, and dispossession: multiple narratives of democracy in north India. 4. Margins and politics: narratives of marginalized Dalit castes. 5. With history and without history: Dalit reinvention of the past . 6. Culture and representation: the making of public culture.