Paper short abstract:

The essay studies a new phenomenon of Judaisation among Indian untouchables in the context of its relations with social hierarchy and state politics of caste. Focused on the Bnei Epraim community in Andhra Pradesh, the essay uses the fieldwork data gathered by the author and personal interviews.

Paper long abstract:

The paper discusses two aspects of the Judaising movements in India with regard to the Bnei Ephraim community of Telugu untouchables in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. Based on the existing research (primarily Yegorova and Shahid studies) and author's field work in the village of Kothareddypalem conducted in November-December 2012, this essay considers the impact that "Judaisation" of the concerned Madiga untouchable group has made on its social and hierarchical status in their native village and beyond.

Further, the paper also researches the legal aspect of the issue with potential circumstances that Judaisation movements among India's socially backward communities has created for the state and its caste policies, with a special view on the reservation issue. The work approaches the history of Bnei Ephraim as an untouchable community claiming the status and rights that characterize other Jewish communities of India, but at the same time being a subject of reservation.

Among the work's major themes is the emergence of India's Judaising movements and its self-identification in the framework of social hierarchies and politics of caste on the local and union levels. Particular attention is drawn to the social change caused by the development of these movements as well as both local and international reaction on its activities.