Andre Beteille Passes Away At 91 In Delhi

Renowned sociologist and public intellectual Andre Beteille passed away in Delhi on Tuesday night due to age-related illness. He was 91. His death marks the end of an era in Indian sociology, where his scholarship shaped academic and public debates on caste, inequality, and liberal democracy for over six decades.

Death After Prolonged Illness

Beteille had been unwell for some time and was undergoing treatment at a hospital in the national capital. Confirming his passing, his daughter Radha Beteille told the Press Trust of India that he died peacefully on Tuesday night. His last rites were performed on Wednesday in Delhi, attended by family members and close associates from academic and public life.

Academic Career And Intellectual Legacy

Andre Beteille served as Professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Delhi from 2003 onwards. Born in West Bengal to a French father and an Indian mother, he pursued his higher education at the University of Calcutta before moving to Delhi. He became widely known for his rigorous empirical studies and comparative approach to social stratification, particularly caste and class in India. His methodology bridged sociology with economics, political science, and law.

Major Works And National Recognition

Over his distinguished career, Beteille authored several influential books, including “Caste, Class and Power”, “Society and Politics in India”, and “The Idea of Natural Inequality and Other Essays”. These works remain essential reading for students of social sciences. In recognition of his contribution to literature and education, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005 by the Government of India.

Important Facts for Exams

• Andre Beteille was a leading Indian sociologist known for studies on caste and inequality.
• He authored the classic work “Caste, Class and Power” based on fieldwork in Tamil Nadu.
• He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2005 for literature and education.
• He served as Professor Emeritus at the University of Delhi from 2003.

Tributes From Academia And Public Life

Historian Ramachandra Guha described Beteille as a “moral and intellectual anchor” for generations of scholars. Ashoka University, where Beteille served as chancellor from 2014 to 2017, credited him with shaping its academic foundations with integrity and wisdom. Universities across the country, including the University of Hyderabad, mourned the loss of a scholar whose commitment to liberalism, cultural pluralism, and constitutional democracy left a lasting imprint on Indian intellectual life.