14.2 Dalit-Movements

Dalit Movements

2020-04-27 15:28:20

Factors that Led to Dalit Consciousness

  • Constant hared and discrimination from various centuries that has been generated. D labourers have been exploited, their lives have been degenerated and have been excluded from mainstream society.
  • These movt had roots in the Vedic period ex various Shramana sects. Gave a socio-religious sanction to the movt.
  • Introduction of English and Western Education which brought them towards ideas of equality, justice, liberty.
  • D were favoured during British policy of divide and rule. BR policy of classifying caste helped mass mobilisation among them.
  • Better communication network provided for linking of D from different geographical locations.
  • New opportunities since 19th century gave them an opportunity for upwards economic mobility.
  • Social reform movt of Jyotiba Phule and Sri Narayan Guru.
  • Bhimrao Ambedkars actions and his movts for Dalit upliftment.

Dalit Panthers

  • Started in early 1970s in Maharashtra. Party formed in 1972.
  • Precursor
    • Youth movt were picking up ex formation of Yuva Kranti Dal in 1967.
    • D youth questioned the post Ambedkar leadership of Republican party of India.
    • D literature blossmed such as magazines.
  • Inspired by the Black panther Party which supported it and wrote about it in the US Black Panther Newspaper.
  • Founded by JV Pawar and Namdeo Dhasal calling the movt as radical departure from earlied D movts.
  • Reasons for their emergence
    • Many offshoots of Ambedkarite movts emerged having different ideas.
    • Constitutional provision were only but theoretical in nature
    • Political consiousness among D groups sent them towards Parliamentarianism.
    • Militant insurgency movt was gaining popularity ex Che Guevara, Fidel Castro in Cuba.
  • Focused on Economic and Social Justice. Its mem were Working class people
  • Most mem were SC or Buddhists. Leaders were literary figures.
  • Published their journal Sadhana. They called for boycotting 25th indepedence day as Kala Swatantra Din/ Black Independence Day.
  • Tried to link their struggle w/ other opressed people of their world.
  • Leftist in their ideology but not Marxist who wanted Amedkarite methods for socio-politcal change
  • Criticism
    • lacked proper channeling of anger to achieve their goal
    • Reflected TV mentality, neglected economic foundation.
    • Showed lack of clarity.
    • Militancy remained confined to their speaches and writings did not manifest into actions.
    • Clash among the ideas of Ambedkar who forbade violent actions and those of Ambedkarites who wanted more militancy.

Kashiram's Movt Bahujan Samaj Party BSP

  • KR quit his job at DRDO and estd SC, ST, OBC and minorities mployees welfare Association in 1971.
  • In 1973 he estd Backwar and Minority Communities Employees Federation BAMCEF in 1976.
  • In 1980 he created a show named Ambedkar Mela.
  • 1981 He started Dalit Soshit Samaj Sangharsh Samiti DS4
  • 1984 BSP was founded as a full fledged political party.
  • Identified all SC, ST, OBC and Religious minorities as Bahujans.
  • Gave impetus to Dalit politics but he Identified them only on Basis of caste and community.
  • Idealised Ambedkar as a strategist.
  • KR approves of his sole ideology that political power of his party could solve all dalit problems. Hardly cared for democracy.
  • Did not have a manifesto and wanted to maximise power by nay means.
  • Wanted to replicate Ambedkars movt of 1920s.

Untouchability Offences Act 1955

  • To spell out Article 17 of constitution.
  • Penalises manifestation of untouchability in any form
  • Provides penalties for the offences like preventing use of public spaces viz temples etc
  • Prevents Enforcement of social disabilities.

Dalit movements

  1. Discuss the factors that led to the growth of Dalit consciousness and mention the major
    movements aimed at their empowerment. [2010, 30m]

  2. "In exercising its exclusive power, the Parliament additionally enacted the Untouchability
    (Offences) Act in 1955." Comment. [2008, 20m]

  3. "Dalit Movements for empowerment in independent India have essentially been for
    carving out political space through electoral politics." Discuss. [2014, 10m]

  4. Analyse various trends in Dalit Movements in various parts of post-independent India.
    [2018, 20 Marks]