Anti Caste Movement

Dalit writing, global contexts: S Joseph combines critique and compassion in My Sister’s Bible

In Communist Kerala, S Joseph emerged as the forerunner of the Malayalam Dalit literary tradition. He was able to challenge Brahminical poetic traditions while offering verses that soothed the wounds of the lower caste people

Caste Matters author Suraj Yengde: 'There's a new class of global Brahmin of each society'

Through the story of his life growing up in a basti, the discrimination Dalits face everyday and the love and creativity that binds the community together, Suraj Yengde challenges many notions in his book Caste Matters. In this conversation, he speaks about his experience as a Dalit in the West, the radical rebellion that is Dalit love, and how Brahmin participation in the anti-caste movement can be made more meaningful.

Dalit writing, global contexts: Neerav Patel's Severed Tongue Speaks Out skewers casteism, with humour

Even as a bilingual writer (English and Gujarati) and despite being possessed of a poetic imagination far more creative than his contemporary Arun Kolatkar (upper caste, and bilingual), Neerav Patel wasn’t exempt from the prejudiced and casteist nature of Indian literary criticism. Savarna critics immortalised Kolatkar and invisiblised Patel.

Discourse around Zomato controversy fails to acknowledge role of caste in dictating our experiences with food

The Zomato controversy turns weary if it is reduced to yet another story brimming with stale clichés of communal cleavage or pious exemplars of communal harmony

Mumbai doctor Payal Tadvi's death has vital lessons for the anti-caste movement and its future

The anti-caste movement, I guess, forgot to tell those like Dr Payal Tadvi, when they were alive, that it needs them — now and always; it forgot to tell them that their lives are precious.

The Radical in Ambedkar studies Babasaheb in context of global resistance, but is limited by privileged perspectives

The Radical in Ambedkar argues for a possible solidarity between the Dalit and African-American struggles against racist, castiest oppression by discussing similarities and differences between these two movements

Dalit shahirs of Maharashtra: Prahlad Shinde's dual approaches to music

Prahlad Shinde sang many of the Ambedkarite movement’s songs. But he also sang ‘devotional’ and ‘folk’ songs which brought him widespread popularity.