An Article on Indian Dalit Writers by Dr Mukesh Pareek

Indian Dalit writers are truly inspiring individuals who have fearlessly raised their stultified voices to bring attention to social injustices and caste discrimination. One prominent figure in this sphere is B.R. Ambedkar, who not only fought for the rights of Dalits but also made significant contributions to Indian literature.

Dalit literature emerged as a powerful literary movement in the mid-20th century, aiming to represent the experiences and struggles of Dalits through the written word. This movement has given rise to a plethora of talented Dalit writers who courageously challenge societal norms and advocate for equality.

Dalit as a lexis item:

In the late 1880s, the Marathi word 'Dalit' was  first used by Mahatma Jotiba Phule for the outcasts and Untouchables that were oppressed and on the brink of extreme and severe marginalised in the Hindu society. Dalit is a vernacular form of the Sanskrit दलित (dalita). In Classical Sanskrit, this means "divided, split, broken, scattered".

 Ambedkar, early on in his writings in English, espoused the use of the terms "depressed classes" and "broken men", which could translate into Dalit. But later he assertively stuck to the usage of 'Dalit' when Mahatma Gandhi tried to replace the term with a more generic Harijan (or children of God).

The lexis item Harijan is said to have first figured in the hymn Vaishnava jana by Narsinh Mehta. Many believe that Gandhi's attempt to promote the usage of word was to avoid the stigma associated to other terms like bhangi and chamar, directly relegating the members of the community to the menial jobs they were forced to do over centuries. 

As historian Ramchandra Guha points out in his article for The Telegraph Gandhi did not start using the term Harijan until 1932, when Ambedkar was made to yield on his demand for a separate electorate for Dalits and sign the Poona Pact.Gandhi insisted that the Dalits can be given larger representation in the legislature but they must remain part of the larger Hindu electorate. However, it was not until the 1970s that the term singularly and indistinctly came to be attached with the oppressed class' identity and their political aspirations.

Dalit writers who were noticed for the first time from the rich pages of Indian antiquities were Madara Chennaiah an 11th-century cobbler-saint who lived  and wrote fearlessly in the kingdom of of Western Chalukyas kings .He is regarded by many scholars as the "father of Vachana poetry" and Dohara Kakkaiah, a Dalit by birth, six of whose confessional poems survive till date.

The origins of modern Dalit writing can be traced back to the works of Marathi Dalit Bhakti poets and Tamil Sidhhas who suggest a long surviving tradition of marginalized voices. 

Some notable writings about Dalits include:

1. Mulk Raj Anand: An influential novelist and humanist, Anand wrote extensively about the lives and struggles of marginalized communities, including Dalits, in works like "Untouchable" and "Coolie."

2. Omprakash Valmiki: Valmiki's autobiography, "Joothan: A Dalit's Life," offers a deeply personal and poignant account of growing up as a Dalit in rural India, shedding light on caste discrimination and the resilience of marginalized communities.

3. Urmila Pawar: Pawar's writings, like the collection of short stories "Mother Wit," explore the experiences of Dalit women, highlighting their strength, resilience, and fight against oppression.

4. Kalyan Rao: Known for his bold and thought-provoking poetry, Rao's works delve into the experiences of being an outcast in Indian society and challenge existing power structures.

5. Meena Kandasamy: A contemporary Dalit feminist writer, Kandasamy's writings, such as "When I Hit You: Or, A Portrait of the Writer as a Young Wife," address issues of caste, gender, and domestic violence.

These writers, among many others, have made invaluable contributions to Indian literature by amplifying the voices of Dalits and offering a unique perspective on social hierarchies. Their works provide a deeper understanding of the complexities and struggles faced by marginalized communities in India.

Dalit literature is important for several reasons:

1. Amplifying marginalized voices: Dalit literature is written by authors from Dalit communities (formerly known as "untouchables" in the Indian caste system) who have historically been excluded from mainstream literature and culture. This literature provides a platform for these marginalized voices to be heard and their experiences to be shared.

2. Highlighting social inequalities: Dalit literature often focuses on the social, political, and economic inequalities that Dalit communities face, including caste discrimination, poverty, and lack of opportunities. By bringing attention to these issues, this literature helps to challenge and question the existing social order.

3. Empowerment and self-affirmation: Dalit literature often celebrates Dalit culture, identity, and history, which helps to foster a sense of pride and self-affirmation among Dalits. It also provides a means for Dalit writers to express themselves and their experiences, which can be a powerful tool for empowerment.

4. Creating awareness: Dalit literature has helped to create awareness about the plight of Dalit communities in India and beyond. By sharing their experiences and perspectives, Dalit writers have helped to raise awareness about social issues and create empathy among those outside the community.

Overall, Dalit literature is important because it provides a platform for marginalized voices to be heard, highlights social inequalities and gives a sense of empowerment and self-affirmation to the community.

Politics of Dalit writers:

Dalit writers often have a strong political dimension to their work, given that the Dalit movement in India is closely tied to issues of social justice and equality. Many Dalit writers are activists who use their writing to challenge caste-based discrimination and inequality, and to advocate for greater social and political rights for Dalits.

The politics of Dalit writers can be seen in the themes and topics they explore in their work, which often foreground the experiences and struggles of Dalit communities. These themes include issues of caste discrimination, poverty, access to education and employment, and political representation. In their writing, Dalit writers also question and subvert dominant cultural narratives and representations of Dalit people.

Many Dalit writers are also involved in the larger Dalit movement, which advocates for social and political equality for Dalit communities. Through their writing and activism, they seek to challenge caste-based hierarchies and promote a more just and equitable society.

Overall, the politics of Dalit writers reflect their commitment to social justice and equality for Dalit communities, and often involve a critique of dominant cultural and political structures that perpetuate caste-based discrimination.

Major Dalit Writings:

Dalit literature has a rich and diverse body of work, but here are some major Dalit writings:

1. "Joothan" by Omprakash Valmiki: An autobiographical account of Valmiki's experiences growing up as a Dalit in rural India, detailing the daily humiliations and violence he faced due to caste discrimination.

2. "Annihilation of Caste" by B.R. Ambedkar: A powerful speech and essay by Ambedkar, a Dalit leader and the architect of India's Constitution, in which he critiques Hinduism and the caste system as inherently oppressive and argues for the need to abolish caste.

3. "Castes in India" by Jyotirao Phule: A seminal work in which Phule, a social reformer and Dalit activist of the 19th century, challenges traditional Hindu notions of caste and argues for the need to strive for social equality.

4. "Sujalam Suphalam" by Daya Pawar: A novel that depicts the lives of Dalits in Mumbai's slums, and explores the social, political and economic deprivation faced by the community.

5. "Dalit Panthers: An Authoritative History" by Gail Omvedt: A history of the Dalit Panthers, a radical political organization that emerged in Maharashtra in the 1970s, aimed at promoting political and social consciousness among Dalits.

6. "My Father Baliah" by Y.B. Satyanarayana: A memoir that explores the relationship between a father, a Dalit atrocity victim, and his son, a writer and activist, providing a snapshot of Dalit life in rural southern India.

These are just a few examples of the work in Dalit literature, but there are many other important writers and texts that are worth exploring.