Paper short abstract:

This paper explores linkages between politicians, organized crime and bureaucracy in contemporary Indian politics, and shows how these apparent linkages are socially and culturally understood in Indian everyday life.

Paper long abstract:

This research explores linkages between politicians, organized crime and bureaucracy in contemporary Indian politics, and shows how these apparent linkages are socially and culturally understood in Indian everyday life. I begin with asking why some people prefer a strongman or dabang (frightening and dominating) over a gentleman politician. Further, how does a dabang or 'criminal' visualise his role in politics? Using recent field research conducted in the 2011 and 2013 in western Uttar Pradesh, this research uncovers a complex picture of interlocking relationships between politics, crime and violence. Through a detailed life history of a strongman as well as an elected political leader in western UP, this research shows the ways in which qualities of dabangai are legitimised. A dabang politician is often serves as a link between people and the inaccessible state, and a protector and social healer. This research brings out how the categories of 'legal' and 'illegal' often not only overlap but also directly feed off each other. While efficiency and care are attached positive values, dabang persona is legitimised by idioms of caste-community, social justice, equality and rights.