REGISTER HERE: https://bit.ly/GlobalAntiCaste
Welcome to the March edition of the monthly panel series organized by the Global Anti-Caste Thought Graduate Working Group, and co-hosted by Fatima Ambedkar Birsa Periyar Phule Savitribai Students & Workers Association. The fourth panel is titled "Philosophies of Caste, Class, Gender & their Modus Operandi". It is scheduled for 28th March, 2025 at 10:30am EST and 8:00pm IST.
The speakers are:
Vaishali Khandekar
Vaishali Khandekar is a senior doctoral candidate at the Indian Institute of Technology, Hyderabad specializing in political sociology, political violence and the intersection of caste and social movements in northern India. Her research looks at the changing nature of caste politics in Uttar Pradesh through an ethnographic study of the Bhim Army organisation in Saharanpur, western UP. She also examines the intergenerational transitions in Dalit politics and the Dalit political actor in Uttar Pradesh. Her broad research areas are area studies, critical caste studies, elite studies with some scattered interest in psephology. Vaishali holds a postgraduate degree in Sociology from University of Hyderabad and a Graduation from Ramjas College, University of Delhi.
Mayura Saavi
Mayura Saavi is an independent journalist and development communications professional. Their work focuses on the intersection of gender, caste, culture, mental health, and films. They hold a Master’s in Media & Cultural Studies from Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai, and a Bachelor’s in Mass Media (Journalism) from Mumbai University. With 14 years in media, their work spans radio, TV journalism, documentary filmmaking, and as a faculty for mass media training. They are currently working full-time with the Media and Content Team at Mariwala Health Initiative.
Mayura co-founded Equity Media Collective, an initiative to foster creative expression for social change with media, art & cultural outreach, and research by the Foundation for Participatory Development Communication and Research (PDCR).
Prajwal Gaikwad
Prajwal Gaikwad is a Doctoral student of Gender Studies at University of Hyderabad. Their Doctoral work focuses on the study of transitions in the non-Brahmin religious traditions in Western India. They are looking at the socio-cultural politics of the Goddess worshipping traditions and community formation. Their academic interests focus on Phule-Ambedkarian studies, Queer Studies and Carnival Studies. They were elected as the Students Union President of University of Hyderabad, first Dalit-queer person to head the Union in the country. Prajwal has also been an active part of Ambedkarite Students movements at Fergusson College, Pune and at University of Hyderabad committed towards the cause of Social Justice.
The panel will be chaired by Prajwal Gaikwad and moderated by Sandra George.
Sandra George is a PhD scholar in Political Science at Rutgers University, specializing in gender studies, minority politics, and political violence in South Asia. Her research explores the intersections of right-wing populism and minority communities, focusing on Christian engagement with right-wing organizations in India. She also examines the transnational dimensions of far-right ideologies. Sandra holds a Post-Graduation in Political Science from the University of Delhi and a Graduation from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi. She has been selected to receive the esteemed IQMR 2025 grant and is currently preparing for fieldwork in India.
The panel is hosted by the Global Anti-Caste Thought Graduate Working Group, Global Asias, Rutgers University and co-hosted by Fatima Ambedkar Birsa Periyar Phule Savitribai Students and Workers Association, Rutgers University.