Dalit Movements

The origin lies in the Sanskrit word “dal”

The word ‘dalit’ comes from Marathi language where it means

‘ground’, ‘suppressed’, ‘crushed’ or ‘broken to pieces’.

The word as such was first used as far back as 1920’s in

journalistic writings. Dalit panther movement of Maharashtra

gave currency to the concept and the word dalit to highlight

the sufferings and struggles of the untouchables.

More recently the schedule castes(earlier called as

‘suppressed classes’ under the British and ‘Harijans’ by

Mahatma Gandhi) prefer calling themselves ‘Dalit’.

They are also known as perial, panchama, atishudra, antyaja

or namashudra.

The term ‘Dalit’ describes a condition of being

under privileged and deprived of basic rights and

refers to people who are suppressed on grounds of

lowly birth.

Mahatma Jyotirao Phule (1826-1890),used it to

describe the outcastes and untouchables as the

oppressed and broken victims of our caste ridden

society.

Traditional theory of VARNA.

Brahmins(Priestly castes)

Kshatriyas(Warrior castes)

Vaishyas(Trading and artisan castes)

Shudras(Laboring and Servant class)

Dalit placed theoretically outside the Varna

System

Placed below “shudras”

Birth based occupational distribution.

Segregated from the mainstream society.

Could not share community well.

Banned entry into temples.

Forced to use earthenware's.

Shadow considered impure.

Severe punishment on violations.

◦ Bhakti Movement

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Teaching – All servants of god were brothers

Very popular during 17th and 18th century

Effect remained only on paper i.e. in devotional songs

Socio-economic positions remain untouched

NeoNeo-Vedantic Movement

Period – 19th Century

Reformers – Vivekananda, Dayanand, Gandhi

Untouchability not an essential part of Hinduism – Violation of

the basic spirit of religion

“Caste system as a political institution for the common good

of society and not a natural distinction” – Dayanand...