Monika Kapoor
Independent Researcher
Chandigarh, India
Abstract
Over the past quarter-century, urbanization, education, and economic advancement have collectively reshaped marriage practices among Dalit communities in India’s major metropolitan centers. This expanded abstract provides a concise yet comprehensive overview of the study’s theoretical framing, methodology, key findings, and broader implications. Drawing upon the intersectionality of caste, class, and gender, the research investigates how post-2000 socio‑economic transformations have influenced endogamous norms, facilitated intercaste unions, and reconfigured gendered decision‑making in spouse selection. A mixed‑methods approach—combining a large‑scale quantitative survey of 500 urban Dalit adults in Delhi, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with 30 in‑depth qualitative interviews—enabled triangulation of statistical trends with personal narratives. Quantitative analyses reveal a marked decline in caste-based endogamy (from 92% in the pre‑2000 cohort to 68% among individuals born after 1990), a rise in companionate marriage ideals (45% citing love and personal compatibility as their primary motivator), and enhanced female agency (62% of women reporting equal or primary decision-making power in spouse selection). Qualitative insights uncover adaptive strategies—such as hybrid wedding ceremonies blending Dalit rituals with partner‑caste traditions—and highlight persistent institutional barriers, including bureaucratic resistance under the Special Marriage Act and community sanctions that compel some couples to relocate temporarily post‑marriage. Notwithstanding these obstacles, the findings underscore urban Dalits’ resilience and the transformative power of education and economic mobility in challenging entrenched caste hierarchies. This study not only fills a critical gap in caste‑focused matrimonial research but also offers policy recommendations: streamlining legal marriage registration processes, implementing community sensitization programs, and incorporating caste‑equity modules in higher‑education curricula to foster greater social inclusion. By illuminating the dynamic interplay between modernity and tradition, the research contributes to a deeper understanding of how marginalized communities negotiate identity, autonomy, and social change in contemporary India.
Keywords
Urban Dalit Marriage Practices, Caste Endogamy, Intercaste Unions, Partner Selection, Gender Agency
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