Week 12 - Samyuktha Rao


The chapter on Gandhi and the Dalit Question was an interesting read. It had divided the dalit question as per the approach carried out by two sects- the Marxists's approach (land) and the value approach. The marxist's view of dalit issue as a land question had made me relate to the Teltumde's chapter on Naxalism and the Dalit Connection. It is indeed true that the early naxal movements had a strong dalit presence in Telangana and Bihar. The oppression of land labourers by the feudal lords had a strong presence in Indian history. However it's quite unfortunate and disturbing that the tag of Naxal is used on almost all dalits by the police forces in today's times in order to inflict violence on them. 

This brings us to the next aspect of the reading, which was the Ambedkerite approach. This approach is more of a militant approach which brings young angry Dalits together in the movement. However, the reading had pointed out the downsides to the ambedkarite approach in the long run, that it would not help to solve the larger question around values i.e dismantling of the caste system entirely. The ambedkarite approach had however proven to be be successful in lowering the incidents of violence and helped Dalits to make their way into public spaces by threatening the upper castes. 

The Gandhi's approach of talking with the others and maintaining a cooperative stance will indeed not help to eradicate the violence and oppression caused to dalits but it might indeed be useful to incorporate some of its approaches to bring a change in the long run. The chapter mentions about the Dalit  movement in Karnataka which consisted of ideals from both the Gandhian and Ambedkerite approach i.e both the land question and the value question. In my opinion, such movements have to be carried out which would address the current concerns and also help in achievening the bigger goal. It is time dalits from different schools of thought come together and unitedly contribute to the movement because one becomes stronger when together.

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