Indian Dalit Literature: Quest for Identity to Social Equality

Abstract

India is one of the fastest growing countries in the world; yet it is notorious for its rigid caste system. This paper examines the history of suppression, condition of the suppressed and origin of Dalit writings. It includes the study of movement and scope of Dalit Literature. It is widely believed that all Dalit literary creations have its root in the Ambedkarite thoughts. The paper also dissects the stark realities of Dalit and their commendable attempts to upraise socially. This literature show dramatic accounts of social-political experiences of Dalit community in the caste based society of India. It traces the conditions of the Indian social factors that surround the Dalits and their interactions with Dalits as well as non-Dalits. It explores how Dalit community struggled for equality and liberty. Due to strong Dalit movements as well as hammering on upper caste society, Government and thinkers through Dalit literature, a positive approach towards equality upcoming in social life of Dalit community now days. Discrimination on the basis of caste and gender are banned by law. This is a journey of oppressed from quest for identity to social equality through their literature.

Keywords: Dalit, castes, untouchables, oppressed, autobiographies