Synopsis
"Re-Imagining Sociology in India: Feminist Perspectives," edited by Gita Chadha and M.T. Joseph, is a comprehensive exploration of the intersections between sociology and feminism within the Indian context. Published in 2018 by Routledge India, the book seeks to reframe the discipline of sociology by foregrounding feminist perspectives, which have often been marginalized or overlooked in mainstream Indian sociological discourse. It serves as both a tribute to the pioneering women sociologists in India and a critical examination of how feminist thought can reshape sociological inquiry, pedagogy, and practice. The editors, both affiliated with the Department of Sociology at the University of Mumbai, bring together a diverse group of Indian scholars to reflect on the specificities of the Indian social sciences, emphasizing the need to address gender as a central category of analysis.
The book begins by delving into the historical contributions of early women sociologists in India, retrieving their lives and work to ask probing questions about the nature of their feminisms and their sociologies. It highlights figures such as Neera Desai, C. Parvathamma, and Ratna Naidu, whose intellectual legacies are reconsidered not only as contributions to sociology but also as acts of feminist resistance within a male-dominated academic sphere. These women navigated systemic marginalization, and their experiences reflect broader patterns of exclusion faced by women in the discipline across India. By focusing on the University of Mumbai’s sociology department—one of the oldest in the country—as a case study, the book illustrates how the small numbers of women, the erasure of their contributions through the construction of male legacies, and the disabling conditions they encountered were not unique but indicative of a nationwide trend. This historical mapping sets the stage for a broader argument: that feminist perspectives are essential to rethinking sociology’s foundational assumptions and practices.
A significant portion of the book is dedicated to the lived realities of women sociologists, exploring their experiential challenges in the field, as well as the pedagogical and methodological innovations they have introduced. The text emphasizes the transformative potential of feminist pedagogy and mentoring, arguing that these processes can foster critical approaches to knowledge production in both sociology and feminism. The editors and contributors examine how feminist interventions can shift the classroom dynamic, making it a space for questioning patriarchal norms and intersectional hierarchies. This focus on pedagogy is complemented by discussions of methodological frameworks that prioritize women’s voices and experiences, as well as artistic engagements that challenge conventional academic forms. These elements collectively underscore the book’s commitment to reimagining sociology as a discipline that is more inclusive, reflexive, and attuned to social transformation.
The volume is structured around three thematic areas—science and health, gender and sexuality, and law and consent—each of which is reframed through a feminist lens. In the realm of science and health, contributors explore topics like mental illness and medicine, asking how feminist perspectives can illuminate the gendered dimensions of these fields. The section on gender and sexuality tackles issues such as masculinity and environmental concerns, revealing how feminist sociology can expand the discipline’s scope to include previously underexplored domains. Finally, the exploration of law and consent/desire addresses the intersections of legal systems, power, and gendered agency, offering fresh insights into how feminist thought can inform sociological analyses of justice and autonomy. Across these themes, the book showcases the diversity of Indian feminist scholarship, drawing on scholars from varied social backgrounds and regions to highlight the multiplicity of feminist sociologies in India.
Ultimately, "Re-Imagining Sociology in India: Feminist Perspectives" positions itself as a continuation of the legacy of feminist sociologist Sharmila Rege, whose emphasis on intersectionality as a core analytical tool resonates throughout the text. It also honors Kamala Ganesh, a prominent Indian feminist sociologist, by celebrating the courage and conviction of women who have challenged disciplinary boundaries. The book argues against the creation of fixed legacies, instead advocating for the explicit naming and integration of feminism within sociology. It contends that such a move is necessary to address the entrenched patriarchal structures within academic institutions and to make sociology more responsive to the complexities of gender, power, and social change in India. Aimed at students, teachers, researchers, and practitioners in sociology, women’s studies, gender studies, and postcolonial studies, this work offers a nuanced, critical, and contextually rich contribution to the global conversation on feminist scholarship and sociological imagination.