Journal of Sociology and Social Work

Chengara struggle: Critique of Land Alienation in a Caste Endowed Epoch of Kerala, South India.
Libina K. Sebastian

Abstract
This paper discusses the caste system and its influences over land and labour relations in the state of Kerala. This study reveals the grim reality of the land alienation of Dalits, who belongs to the lower stratum of the caste hierarchy and compelled to lent their labour power to the land lords in the history and land owning upper castes or plantation corporations now and live as a tenants, without ownership over cultivable land. Chengara struggle addresses the land question spanned in colonial and post-colonial period of Kerala state, where globally glorified land reforms have been taken place. The land reform policies spread glares to their life meanwhile failed in brining structural changes as well.

Full Text: PDF     DOI: 10.15640/jssw.v7n1a7