Biopolitics of Representation
Abstract
Population enumeration, as a state exercise, enables the classification of citizens into discrete, quantifiable categories that facilitate both governance and ideological control. 1 In Pakistan, this logic is shaped by a rigid Hindu–Muslim binary that subsumes or ambiguously categorizes Dalits—sometimes as Hindus, at other times as distinct from them—leading to epistemic confusion and intra-Dalit contestations. While some anti-caste activists reject Hindu identity altogether, others negotiate it by either seeking subcategorization within Hinduism or discarding the Scheduled Caste label.
Fields of Study & Subjects
South Asian Studies and Diaspora
South Asian Studies and Conflicts
Bangladesh Politics
Society
and Development
Publication details
- Journal / source
- Routledge eBooks
- Pages
- 152–199
- Publication date
- 4 February 2026
- Language
- EN
- Document type
- Book chapter