Dalit writers continue to bear the brunt of discrimination

Both caste and gender work against Dalit women writers

By Vindhya Pabolu

Dalit writers continue to face discrimination despite gaining prominence in the field of literature.

Chesta Rajora, a Dalit writer, explained to The Observer how difficult it is for her to get her work published. “They reject my work because I belong to a Dalit community.” She feels pained that even today people like her face discrimination.

“Fundamentally, discrimination is structural. Secondly, on a much more discursive level, the type of literature being taught on campuses, the university curricula, and the path the academy has been pursuing have all been anti-Dalit. Dalit writers are not provided spaces where they are encouraged or trained to write,” Rajora said.

As per a research paper published by the Indian Institute of Dalits, Dalit writers have been discriminated against for long. They are not allowed to attend writers’ forums

It’s challenging for women Dalit writers to find the space to write and be heard. They are discriminated on grounds of caste and gender. For a long time, they endured social stigma and isolation from society, especially from upper-caste Hindus. Their harsh life made their position as writ- ers even more difficult. But now they are gaining prominence.

Rajora said institutions do not encourage students to read about Dalit literature.

“That kind of epistemic erasure is very much present. When it came to me, the issue wasn’t one of encouragement but rather one of space; if I produce my work, who would decide where to publish it? This was the structure in place prior to 2016, when a certain incident rattled universities. After that, I noticed that conversations were taking place… in liberal areas. Eventually, it developed into a problem that needed to be resolved. Nonetheless, epistemic erasure was still present.”

Readers choose their books based on their interests.

Divya Pratha, who likes to explore the fantasy world is uninterested in Dalit literature, She expressed her disbelief about the agony of Dalits.

Srikar Potturi, who reads Dalit literature, said: “I find it strange how one part of a community is oppressed. The first book that I read was Annihilation of Caste by Dr B.R. Ambedkar. After reading it, I realised the importance of this topic.”

About the current situation, Rajora said it is slightly better as many publications and magazines run by upper-caste editors welcome Dalit writers, regardless of their political views.

“I won’t go to…until I have networks there. However, we also have various Dalit publications... Publication.”

Moyeen V.N., an author, said: “The outside world is full of politics. As writers, we face a lot of issues to get a book published. Looking at history, it’s a never-ending issue. I never write anything about communities and the oppression (the face) because all these are sensitive issues. Most of the people aren’t much into these because of the complexity and depth.”

Pratha shared: “It’s a complex topic. It takes a lot of time to understand and digest it. After some time, we don’t find it as interesting to read them anymore. For fiction, it talks about fantasies, which I find quite interesting. Our college also didn’t talk much about Dalit literature,”

Chitti Babu P, an author, said: “It’s a sensitive topic, so I would prefer talking to someone who know more about the topic instead of reading books.”

Laws have been enacted for Dalits to protect their right to security of life: Protection of Civil Rights Act, and the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The Indian Constitution bans of untouchability under Article 17.

A research paper states that the term “Dalit literature” was first used in 1958 at the first Dalit conference in Bombay. The social struggle became the origin of Dalit literature.

In 20th century, a democratic movement arose that wanted a fair society for all humans would be on the same ground irrespective of their caste, colour, and nationality. It was a challenge to the caste system, which was the reason for oppression of Dalits.

Vasundhara, a political science professor at Andhra Mahila Sabha, Osmania University, said: “Over the years, they have been facing a lot of issues. Writing is the medium they used to bring them to attention. To silence these people, higher caste people try to suppress them because they hate the fact these people are rising. The writers still have to come out and continue to voice out their problems and let the outside world know that all should be treated equally before the law.”

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Fundamentally, discrimination is structural.

Secondly, on much more discursive level, the type of literature being taught on campuses, the university curricula, and the path academy has been pursuing have all been anti-Dalit. Dalit writers are not provided spaces where they are encouraged or trained to write.

- Chesta Rajora

The world is full of politics. As writers, we face a lot of issues to get a book published. Looking at history, it’s a never-ending issue. I never write anything about communities and the oppression (the face) because all these are sensitive issues. Most of the people aren’t much into these because of the complexity and depth.

- Moyeen V.N

Writing is the medium used by Dalit writers to bring them to attention. To silence them, higher caste people try to suppress them as they despise their progress. The writers still have to come out and continue to voice out their problems and let the outside world know that all should be treated equally before the law

- Vasundhara

An article published by The News Minute shows how lessons written by Dalits, progressive writers and people who speak against communal violence were replaced with lessons on RSS ideologues.

Social reformers like Ambedkar and Jyotiba Phule raised their voice against the oppression and discrimination faced by Dalits. Literature became the prominent medium to explore and address the issues and difficulties of the community. vindhya.p@iijnm.org

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