Exploring the rise of Dalit writers facing different forms of discrimination

Abstract

This scholarly inquiry provides a thorough examination of Dalit literature in the context of post-colonial Indian culture, exploring its dual role as a reflection of systematic inequalities and a catalyst for revolutionary social change. The inquiry explores the interconnected fields of literary studies, social theory, and post-colonial critique. It involves a thorough examination of primary texts, critical essays, and socio-political contexts to uncover the deeply ingrained patterns of social exclusion and caste-based marginalisation that Dalit literature expresses. This process reveals the inherent divisions within the seemingly cohesive story of Indian national identity. It achieves this by utilising distinctive thematic viewpoints and narrative strategies that diverge from the conventional standards of mainstream Indian literature, establishing it as an alternative narrative that challenges dominant narratives. Concurrently, the study argues that Dalit literature has a liberating power that goes beyond its descriptive purposes. The argument posits that Dalit literature serves as an ideological tool that mobilises collective consciousness and fosters grassroots mobilisation by giving a voice to the subaltern and challenging normative literary conventions. As a result, it functions not just as a passive storage of societal complaints but also as an active catalyst for significant social transformation. This academic project seeks to enhance the existing academic literature by connecting the epistemic divide between literary criticism and social theory. It specifically focuses on the intricate relationship between Dalit literature and its socio-political consequences in present-day India.