Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Every thread of caste and occupation in India is intrinsically linked to the migration patterns. Migration of the upper caste is more of an economic, while the lower castes are both social and economic. Differential distribution of resources deprived the Dalits, reduced them to degraded social status. To escape from the clutches of caste discrimination, Dalits migrated to different places. In this context, this study unravels the lived experiences and socio-economic changes among the Odia Dalit migrant workers in Hyderabad city and how they reconstruct their identities in the urban landscape, reasons leaving their home, challenges, and difficulties in new social space. The study employed a qualitative research approach assisted by in-depth interviews and informal discussions. Hyderabad city is chosen for this study, as it attracts migrant workers across the country, and a majority of the Odia migrants are found working in different industrial sectors. Study shows migration offered an opportunity not only in economic and employment spheres but also in the socio-cultural spheres. The city gives a space to escape from caste discrimination, and significantly improved their lifestyle but fear psychosis of caste identity is prevalent. To escape their Dalit identity, they identify themselves as other backward classes (OBCs) or Khandayat. Improvement in economic life has little impact on the social structure. Migration brings wealth but not the alteration in caste structure. Methodologically and conceptually, the study contributes to the knowledge of the lived experience of the Odia Dalit migrants in city space, how they identify themselves, and how they make sense of themselves and others, and how Hyderabad shapes their experiences.
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Oppari: A Tamil Musical Elegy Laced with Caste Prejudices and Identities
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Though popular culture is celebrated among people across the country, the admiration for folklore and performing arts is very limited. In the domain of folklore, performing art forms are categorized and stratified based on ‘who is performing it’ or ‘who is eligible to perform’ with a benchmark of the social status of purity and pollution. This article discusses and reflects the dilution of casteism and fabricated caste identities and prejudices in oppari, ancient folklore and a musical dirge song performed in Tamil Nadu, which is considered as a polluted, discriminated cultural outcome and custom to be performed and etched with people belonging to oppressed classes in society. It also keeps a close lens and discussion on change in oppari, the role of casteism and its revamp in the contemporary scenario and sociocultural aspects of oppari within the realm of caste and performance.
Though popular culture is celebrated among people across the country, the admiration for folklore and performing arts is very limited. In the domain of folklore, performing art forms are categorized and stratified based on ‘who is performing it’ or ‘who is eligible to perform’ with a benchmark of the social status of purity and pollution. This article discusses and reflects the dilution of casteism and fabricated caste identities and prejudices in oppari, ancient folklore and a musical dirge song performed in Tamil Nadu, which is considered as a polluted, discriminated cultural outcome and custom to be performed and etched with people belonging to oppressed classes in society. It also keeps a close lens and discussion on change in oppari, the role of casteism and its revamp in the contemporary scenario and sociocultural aspects of oppari within the realm of caste and performance.
The Games People Play: A Psychological Analysis of Dalit Victimization in Ozhivudivasathe Kali
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Ozhivudivasathe Kali is a 2003 Malayalam short story written by Unni R. which shot into limelight with the release of the Kerala State Award winning film with the same title by Sanal K. Sasidharan. As the title suggests, the story recounts an ‘off-day game’ played by four middle-aged men in a dingy lodge. The drunken revelry soon turns into a cruel game exposing the fissures that exist under the guise of equality and acceptance. It echoes Golding’s Lord of the Flies and is a scathing and unsettling expose of the Kerala mindscape where Dalits still continue to be considered less human. A deadly game where the victim is ruthlessly hounded and finally killed for his ‘fault’ of being different, the story is arresting for its foreboding tone, given the way reality is shaping out all over the world these days where being the ‘other’ is an invitation to harassment and even decimation.
Ozhivudivasathe Kali is a 2003 Malayalam short story written by Unni R. which shot into limelight with the release of the Kerala State Award winning film with the same title by Sanal K. Sasidharan. As the title suggests, the story recounts an ‘off-day game’ played by four middle-aged men in a dingy lodge. The drunken revelry soon turns into a cruel game exposing the fissures that exist under the guise of equality and acceptance. It echoes Golding’s Lord of the Flies and is a scathing and unsettling expose of the Kerala mindscape where Dalits still continue to be considered less human. A deadly game where the victim is ruthlessly hounded and finally killed for his ‘fault’ of being different, the story is arresting for its foreboding tone, given the way reality is shaping out all over the world these days where being the ‘other’ is an invitation to harassment and even decimation.
Discrimination in Educational Institutions: A Case Study of Bihar
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
According to the state government report, 4% of Scheduled Castes (SCs) population in Bihar is able to study up to the graduate level or above, and the representation of SC communities is negligible in senior positions in government jobs in the state. In this report, discrimination and poverty have been identified as a contributing cause for the current situation of SCs in Bihar. In this context, this study examines the level of discrimination and constraints that SCs students face at school and college levels in Bihar. The analysis done in this article is based on primary data collected from five districts, namely, Kaimur, Gaya, Siwan, Katihar and Patna of Bihar state. This study examines the level of achievements, constraints and discrimination faced by SCs students at different institution levels and identifies the reasons behind the existing situation. The study finds discrimination between SCs and Non-SCs students in case of use of service/ facilities available at educational institutions in Bihar, state. SCs students get less benefits from education, as they face problems related to classroom teaching and understanding. Considering these facts, the state government should provide free guidance/counselling, vocational training and capacity building classes to SCs students in Bihar.
According to the state government report, 4% of Scheduled Castes (SCs) population in Bihar is able to study up to the graduate level or above, and the representation of SC communities is negligible in senior positions in government jobs in the state. In this report, discrimination and poverty have been identified as a contributing cause for the current situation of SCs in Bihar. In this context, this study examines the level of discrimination and constraints that SCs students face at school and college levels in Bihar. The analysis done in this article is based on primary data collected from five districts, namely, Kaimur, Gaya, Siwan, Katihar and Patna of Bihar state. This study examines the level of achievements, constraints and discrimination faced by SCs students at different institution levels and identifies the reasons behind the existing situation. The study finds discrimination between SCs and Non-SCs students in case of use of service/ facilities available at educational institutions in Bihar, state. SCs students get less benefits from education, as they face problems related to classroom teaching and understanding. Considering these facts, the state government should provide free guidance/counselling, vocational training and capacity building classes to SCs students in Bihar.
Determinants of Financial Inclusion Among Dalit Women in Kancheepuram District, Tamil Nadu
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Over the years many efforts were made to improve the status of financial inclusion of people. Financial inclusion measures access and usage of financial products such as deposits, loans, insurance products and quality of financial services. Financial inclusion is the process of providing financial services to the people who are outside the formal financial system. High levels of financial inclusion improve economic development and equitable distribution of wealth. This study focuses on status of financial inclusion among Dalit women in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. It was found that education level of the people; government initiatives such as general credit card, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana; satisfaction of the self-help group model; financial practices and financial literacy were positively and significantly associated with financial inclusion. Usage of non-bank agencies and cultural barriers were negative and insignificant.
Over the years many efforts were made to improve the status of financial inclusion of people. Financial inclusion measures access and usage of financial products such as deposits, loans, insurance products and quality of financial services. Financial inclusion is the process of providing financial services to the people who are outside the formal financial system. High levels of financial inclusion improve economic development and equitable distribution of wealth. This study focuses on status of financial inclusion among Dalit women in Kancheepuram district of Tamil Nadu. It was found that education level of the people; government initiatives such as general credit card, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana; satisfaction of the self-help group model; financial practices and financial literacy were positively and significantly associated with financial inclusion. Usage of non-bank agencies and cultural barriers were negative and insignificant.
Between Isolation and Autonomy: A Study of the Anti-caste Struggle in the University of Hyderabad
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
The Chinese adage goes: ‘Teach a person how to catch a fish but don’t catch one’. For a long time, Dalits have been represented or led by socio-economically dominant communities in all disciplines and walks of life. However, Dalits have been trying by their own means to maintain their autonomy in all domains. Specifically, in self-respect struggles or anti-caste movements, there are enough examples to reinforce the idea that isolated struggles led by Dalit-Bahujan’s must be acknowledged as autonomous. This article analyses Ambedkar’s engagement with parties led by caste elites, while maintaining his social/political/cultural autonomy. This article also draws attention to how caste elites have tried to appropriate Dalit-Bahujan movements. This article was presented at the South Asia Anthropologists Group (SAAG) Annual Conference. The main idea of this article is to register the autonomy and isolation of Dalit students’ struggle through a case study at the University of Hyderabad. The anti-caste ‘Rohith Vemula’ struggle provides an instance of how political representation was practiced and how autonomy can be maintained in future struggles. The article argues this case out through the author’s experiential opinions as a participant, Ambedkar’s views and the carefully carved out vision of Dalit-Bahujan political movements.
The Chinese adage goes: ‘Teach a person how to catch a fish but don’t catch one’. For a long time, Dalits have been represented or led by socio-economically dominant communities in all disciplines and walks of life. However, Dalits have been trying by their own means to maintain their autonomy in all domains. Specifically, in self-respect struggles or anti-caste movements, there are enough examples to reinforce the idea that isolated struggles led by Dalit-Bahujan’s must be acknowledged as autonomous. This article analyses Ambedkar’s engagement with parties led by caste elites, while maintaining his social/political/cultural autonomy. This article also draws attention to how caste elites have tried to appropriate Dalit-Bahujan movements. This article was presented at the South Asia Anthropologists Group (SAAG) Annual Conference. The main idea of this article is to register the autonomy and isolation of Dalit students’ struggle through a case study at the University of Hyderabad. The anti-caste ‘Rohith Vemula’ struggle provides an instance of how political representation was practiced and how autonomy can be maintained in future struggles. The article argues this case out through the author’s experiential opinions as a participant, Ambedkar’s views and the carefully carved out vision of Dalit-Bahujan political movements.
Book review: Bellapu Anuradha and Gita Ramaswamy (eds.), Prison Notes of a Woman Activist
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Bellapu Anuradha and Gita Ramaswamy (eds.), Prison Notes of a Woman Activist. Ratna Books, 2021, 195 pp., ₹399. ISBN-10: 9352907442, ISBN-13: 978-9352907441
Bellapu Anuradha and Gita Ramaswamy (eds.), Prison Notes of a Woman Activist. Ratna Books, 2021, 195 pp., ₹399. ISBN-10: 9352907442, ISBN-13: 978-9352907441
Housing Condition, Livelihood Pattern and Socio-cultural Life of Oraon, Munda and Santal Tribes in Dooars, Jalpaiguri District, West Bengal: The Migrants from Chota Nagpur Plateau Region
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
The Oraon, Munda and Santal are the three major Scheduled Tribes of the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. During the colonial period (mainly between 1880 and 1930), their arrival from the Chota Nagpur region to the Dooars region (Jalpaiguri district) took place by the British. In the present article, an attempt has been made to assess housing condition, livelihood pattern and socio-cultural life of the concerned tribes. For this purpose, 650 household surveys were carried out with the help of semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, informal interviews and field visits. The study finds that, after being displaced from their homeland (Chota Nagpur Plateau region) and settled for long in the Jalpaiguri district, they undergone many changes in their habitat, economic condition and society, but it did not bring any improvement in their quality of life. The deplorable residence, lack of housing amenities and necessities, inadequate income, illiteracy, loosening of social organization are the major features presently prevalent among them.
The Oraon, Munda and Santal are the three major Scheduled Tribes of the Jalpaiguri district of West Bengal. During the colonial period (mainly between 1880 and 1930), their arrival from the Chota Nagpur region to the Dooars region (Jalpaiguri district) took place by the British. In the present article, an attempt has been made to assess housing condition, livelihood pattern and socio-cultural life of the concerned tribes. For this purpose, 650 household surveys were carried out with the help of semi-structured questionnaire, focus group discussion, informal interviews and field visits. The study finds that, after being displaced from their homeland (Chota Nagpur Plateau region) and settled for long in the Jalpaiguri district, they undergone many changes in their habitat, economic condition and society, but it did not bring any improvement in their quality of life. The deplorable residence, lack of housing amenities and necessities, inadequate income, illiteracy, loosening of social organization are the major features presently prevalent among them.
The Biopolitics of Caste: Analysing the (Dis)honour Killings in South India
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Even after 75 years of independence, India witnesses the increasing violence unleashed by the upper caste families against the individuals for inter-caste love or marriage. The objective of this article is to critically engage with the operational aspects of Michel Foucault’s biopolitics of caste system in enforcing endogamy in the marital relationship between two individuals. Caste as a social institution governs every aspect of Dalit’s life, ranging from cradle to graveyard. As such, the increasing incidents of (dis)honour killings, from South India, reflect the idea of endogamy, with the ulterior motto of controlling the sexuality of the Dalits and women, thereby ensuring the purity of the caste Hindu society. Thus, the patriarchy is an inseparable element of caste system in controlling the freedom of women in choosing her partner and it is prevalent in sub-castes of Dalit folds also. The question of discrimination and practice of endogamy within Dalit communities should be addressed in marching towards annihilation of the caste.
Even after 75 years of independence, India witnesses the increasing violence unleashed by the upper caste families against the individuals for inter-caste love or marriage. The objective of this article is to critically engage with the operational aspects of Michel Foucault’s biopolitics of caste system in enforcing endogamy in the marital relationship between two individuals. Caste as a social institution governs every aspect of Dalit’s life, ranging from cradle to graveyard. As such, the increasing incidents of (dis)honour killings, from South India, reflect the idea of endogamy, with the ulterior motto of controlling the sexuality of the Dalits and women, thereby ensuring the purity of the caste Hindu society. Thus, the patriarchy is an inseparable element of caste system in controlling the freedom of women in choosing her partner and it is prevalent in sub-castes of Dalit folds also. The question of discrimination and practice of endogamy within Dalit communities should be addressed in marching towards annihilation of the caste.
Understanding Identity, Education and Multi-religiosity Among the Nat Tribe of Paschim Champaran in India
Contemporary Voice of Dalit, Ahead of Print.
Invisible social groups are systematically left out of the process of development and have to make choices that are predetermined. Research suggests that the tribal and nomadic communities have been majorly affected by such processes. Nat, a peripatetic nomadic tribe in India has undergone similar exclusionary process. However, they continue to survive as a social group and maintain their distinguishing character. This study, therefore, is an attempt to understand their survival within the mainstream society by systematically analysing the following sociocultural attributes: identity construction, education and mobility, and multi-religious belonging. The Nat of Paschim Champaran, in the state of Bihar in India, were the focus of the study. Data was collected from 30 respondents and analysed by applying narrative inquiry. The findings suggest that their professional identity as acrobats continues to define their distinctiveness even when a few have chosen to shift towards other forms of livelihood. This distinctiveness continues to negatively influence their access to education and as a result no major change is witnessed in terms of social mobility of the group. However, it is observed that they have intelligently assimilated themselves within the popular culture by adopting multiple identities with respect to religion and which are activated for diverse purposes and at different times.
Invisible social groups are systematically left out of the process of development and have to make choices that are predetermined. Research suggests that the tribal and nomadic communities have been majorly affected by such processes. Nat, a peripatetic nomadic tribe in India has undergone similar exclusionary process. However, they continue to survive as a social group and maintain their distinguishing character. This study, therefore, is an attempt to understand their survival within the mainstream society by systematically analysing the following sociocultural attributes: identity construction, education and mobility, and multi-religious belonging. The Nat of Paschim Champaran, in the state of Bihar in India, were the focus of the study. Data was collected from 30 respondents and analysed by applying narrative inquiry. The findings suggest that their professional identity as acrobats continues to define their distinctiveness even when a few have chosen to shift towards other forms of livelihood. This distinctiveness continues to negatively influence their access to education and as a result no major change is witnessed in terms of social mobility of the group. However, it is observed that they have intelligently assimilated themselves within the popular culture by adopting multiple identities with respect to religion and which are activated for diverse purposes and at different times.