SINHAS Vol 30 No 1 Ghamber Nepali
Politics of Participation: How Caste Matters in Cultural Capital of Dalit Leaders in Nepal
Ghamber Nepali
Abstract
This study investigates how the caste system shapes the political participation of Dalit leaders in Nepal, with a particular focus on the role of cultural capital in accessing and navigating central political party structures. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in Bourdieu’s theory of practice, the research combines a perception survey and in-depth interviews with Dalit leaders across major national parties. The study reveals that while Dalit leaders have gradually acquired cultural capital, their participation remains constrained by entrenched caste hierarchies and intra-Dalit disparities—mainly the marginalization of Madheshi Dalits and Dalit women. Political inclusion remains largely symbolic, with only 6 percent of central committee positions held by Dalits, and minimal access to executive or decision-making roles. Many respondents report facing caste-based discrimination and tokenism within their parties. The research reframes Bourdieu’s theory by emphasizing how Dalit cultural capital often functions as resistance rather than reproduction of elite norms. Finally, the study calls for reparative justice through special rights, not just reservation, to enable meaningful participation. Structural transformation of political parties and equitable redistribution of socio-cultural capital are essential to dismantling caste-based marginalization and fostering Nepal’s evolving democracy.
Keywords: Caste system, cultural capital, Dalit leaders, political participation
Politics of Participation: How Caste Matters in Cultural Capital of Dalit Leaders in Nepal
Ghamber Nepali
Abstract
This study investigates how the caste system shapes the political participation of Dalit leaders in Nepal, with a particular focus on the role of cultural capital in accessing and navigating central political party structures. Employing a mixed-methods approach grounded in Bourdieu’s theory of practice, the research combines a perception survey and in-depth interviews with Dalit leaders across major national parties. The study reveals that while Dalit leaders have gradually acquired cultural capital, their participation remains constrained by entrenched caste hierarchies and intra-Dalit disparities—mainly the marginalization of Madheshi Dalits and Dalit women. Political inclusion remains largely symbolic, with only 6 percent of central committee positions held by Dalits, and minimal access to executive or decision-making roles. Many respondents report facing caste-based discrimination and tokenism within their parties. The research reframes Bourdieu’s theory by emphasizing how Dalit cultural capital often functions as resistance rather than reproduction of elite norms. Finally, the study calls for reparative justice through special rights, not just reservation, to enable meaningful participation. Structural transformation of political parties and equitable redistribution of socio-cultural capital are essential to dismantling caste-based marginalization and fostering Nepal’s evolving democracy.
Keywords: Caste system, cultural capital, Dalit leaders, political participation