Week 8 - Samyuktha Rao

Dalit Architecture

After reading the pieces by Nicholas Jous & Sinha, it can be said that the occupying of public spaces by Dalit heroes through statues or by representing their ideology through structures can be deemed as a necessary move for their representation  otherwise is meagre in public spheres due to dominant castes. However, it can be understood through the articles that the real purpose and intent behind incorporating those structures had not been achieved. For most non Dalit respondents it was simply another touristy park and did not help them at all in learning about Dalit heritage. They are least bothered about it just like how they react to all other spheres of their existence. Even in school textbooks, we did not have much emphasis on Ambedkar and his ideology.

The inner angst of savarnas towards this move was depicted  in the article, one of which is by voting out Mayawati in her next election after she built the statues and parks on Dalit heritage. Sinha & Kant describe this act as an act out of caste politics which is indeed true. Other than using these politics to proclaim herself as a hero by building a statue of herself, her other intentions of including Dalit heritage in public spaces is not well-received by the general public. 

Therefore, even though moves like this would make Dalits feel included, it wouldn’t help much in changing the savarnas’ old mindsets and hatred towards the community in any way. It would still keep the existing oppressive structure in place. Hence, in my opinion, if more emphasis is  laid down  in our school textbooks on Dalit struggles and the existence of social inequality since centuries, it would result in a more inclusive approach.  

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