Are Savarna feminists the White feminists of India?

This seminar seeks to critically engage participants in a reflection on the complexities of "Indian feminism", often proclaimed as decolonial and anti-racist, yet fundamentally rooted in upper-caste (savarna) privilege and interests. This framework exposes a troubling complicity with white supremacy, intricately linked to Hindu supremacy and Brahmanism, anti-Blackness and Islamophobia.

Through the lens of Bahujan feminism, this event will amplify the voices of caste-oppressed individuals, including Adivasi communities and religious minorities, using Kerala as a focal point for our discussions. Does identifying the upper-caste hegemony within Indian feminism risk the revolution devouring its children? Who are the forgotten Emmett Tills and unsung Tarana Burkes of India? Are savarna feminists acting as the foot soldiers of white feminists, and does the trend of “very demure” aesthetics reflect a savarna rape fantasy?

Additionally, we will explore the historical solidarity and exchanges between Bahujan feminisms and Black feminisms, offering a critique of the saviourism inherent in both White and Savarna feminist movements. The seminar will conclude by advocating for a term that captures the unique misogyny faced by Bahujan women, fostering a deeper understanding of the intricacies within feminist discourse in the Indian context.

This event will be particularly useful for those interested in feminism, gender, casteism, and racism.

Please note this is a hybrid event and can be joined either in-person or online via Zoom.

Links

• Department of Education, Practice and Society

Image

Nikhita S via Unsplash.