Social Movements — Sociology STD 12 Humanities — Question
CBSE BoardEnglish MediumSTD 12 HumanitiesSociologySocial Movements6 Marks
Question
Describe the history of Dalit movements.
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Answer
There are caste based movements.
The word Dalit is commonly used in Marathi, Hindi, Gujarati and many other Indian languages, meaning and oppressed persons.
It was first used in the new context in Marathi by neo-Buddhist activists, the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar in the early 1970s.
It refers to those who have been broken, ground down by those above them in a deliberate way.
Basic difference between dalit movements and other movements:
Social movements of Dalits show a particular character.
The movements cannot be explained satisfactorily by reference to economic
exploitations alone or political oppression, although these dimensions are important.
This is a struggle for recognition as fellow human beings.
It is a struggle for recognition as fellow human beings.
It is a struggle for self-confidence and a space for seff-'determination.
It is a struggle for abolishment of stigmatization, that untouchability implied.
It has been called a struggle to be touched.
There is, in the word 'Dalit itself, inherent denial of pollution, karma and justified caste hierarchy.
Different dalit movements:
There has not been a single, unified Dalit movement in the country now or in the past.
Different movements have highlighted different issues related to Dalits, around different ideologies.
However, all of them assert a Dalit identity though the meaning may not be identical or precise for everyone.
Notwithstanding differences in the nature of Dalit movements and the meaning of identity, there has been a common quest for equality, self-dignity and eradication of untouchability.
This can be seen in the Satnami Movement of the Chamars (Cibblers) in the Chattisgarh plains in eastern MP, Adi Dharma Movement in Punjab, the Mahar Movement in Maharashtra, the socio-political mobilization among the Jatavas of Agra and the Anti Brahman Movement in south India.
In the contemporary period the Dalit movement has unquestionably acquired a place in the public sphere that cannot be ignored.
Another important trend in the dalit movement is manifested in the emergence of the Dalit Panther Movement which was launched by dalits of Maharashtra in the early 1970s.
It was initially confined to the urban areas of Maharashtra but has subsequently spread to several other states.
The Dalit Panthers denounce the dominant culture and attempt to articulate an alternative cultural identity of the oppressed classes.
To propagate their ideas they have been publishing poems, stories and plays, which are now popularly known as dalit literature and are used to challenge the intellectual tradition of the upper caste Hindus.
The most vital consequence of these movements has been the consolidation of dalit identity. The pressure created by the mobilization of the dalits has led to amelioration of their social conditions.
Dalit literature:
This has been accompanied by a growing body of Dalit literature.
Dalit literature is squarely opposed to the Chaturvarna system and caste hierarchy which it considers as responsible for crushing the creativity and very existence of lower castes.
Dalit writers are insistent on using their own imageries and expressions rooted in their own experiences and perceptions.
Many felt that the high-flown social imageries of mainstream society would hide the truth rather than reveal it.
Dalit literature gives a call for social and cultural revolt.
While some emphasise the cultural struggle for dignity and identity, others also bring in the structural features of society including the economic dimensions.
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