Question

How Dalit Movement was organised in India?

Answer 1

1. Early reform movements: 19th century social reformers like Jyotirao Phule and Savitribai Phule worked for Dalit education and rights. Phule started the Satyashodhak Samaj to challenge Brahmin dominance and uplift lower castes.
2. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s leadership: Dr. Ambedkar was the central figure in organizing the Dalit movement. He led campaigns for temple entry, access to public resources, and against the Manusmriti. He founded political parties like the Scheduled Castes Federation and the Republican Party of India. He converted to Buddhism in 1956 with millions of Dalits to escape caste oppression.
3. Dalit panthers (1970s): Inspired by the Black Panthers in the US, this youth-based group focused on asserting Dalit identity and fighting caste-based violence.
4. Political mobilization: Dalits gained political power through reservation policies and formation of Dalit-led parties like the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP). BSP, under leaders like Kanshi Ram and Mayawati, brought Dalit issues to national politics.
5. Cultural and literary assertion: Dalit writers and poets used literature to express pain and resistance, giving rise to Dalit literature as a distinct genre.