Dalit Identity and Resistance in Indian English Literature

Debarati Chandra

VOl-10,Issue-4,July - August 2025

Author: Debarati Chandra

Keywords: Dalit identity, resistance, caste, intersectionality, Ambedkarite thought, Indian English literature.

Abstract: Dalit literature in English constitutes a formidable movement of courage and self-assertion. For generations, India's Dalit communities—historically designated as "untouchables"—endured systemic oppression under the caste hierarchy, their narratives either silenced or appropriated by dominant voices. This article analyzes how Dalit writers transform this reality through potent literary expression, converting personal trauma into collective resistance and reclaiming fundamental human dignity. The investigation specifically examines how authors, including Omprakash Valmiki, Bama Faustina, and Meena Kandasamy deploy literature to confront centuries of discrimination. Their work transcends mere documentation of suffering, innovating narrative forms that synthesize traditional folk idioms with contemporary literary techniques. The strategic adoption of English facilitates dual objectives: engaging educated Indian audiences often detached from caste based realities, and forging transnational connections with global struggles for human rights. Furthermore, the article traces the literary movement's emergence from the ideological foundations laid by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who conceptualized education as an instrument against caste subjugation. Critical attention is given to intersectional dimensions, particularly Dalit women's compounded struggle against caste and gender oppression. The analysis also evaluates the literature's societal impact: its role in reshaping educational curricula, catalyzing national discourse on privilege, and empowering new generations.

Article Info: Received: 30 May 2025; Received in revised form: 25 Jun 2025; Accepted: 01 Jul 2025; Available online: 07 Jul 2025

DOI: 10.22161/ijels.104.9