A Project On

Dalit Movement in India

Submitted To:
DR. AVINASH SAMAL
(Faculty of Political Science)

Submitted By:
Parth Chandra
[B.A LL.B (Hons.), Semester- I, Roll No: 84]

HIDAYATULLAH NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY

RAIPUR (C.G)
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Gratitude is the noble response of one’s soul and kindness or

help generously rendered by another and acknowledgment is a duty
and joyance. So it is that I express briefly my debt to those who
have made the creation of this project possible.

I would like to thanks my parents without their moral support

the completion of my project would not be possible.

My special thanks to Prof. Dr. Avinash Samal for giving me the

opportunity to work on this topic. He has given me all the
encouragement I needed to complete this project.

As this is a very sensitive topic so the matter collected to write

on this protect has been taken from authentic sources and are
purely that of author and the same are not intended against any
one personally, any suggestions, corrections would be treated with
extreme obligations.

Parth Chandra

B.A. LL.B. (Hons.)

Roll No: 84
 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY

It is a doctrinal thesis the researcher had mainly dependent on reading and net based
works. The Thoughts reflected are in analyzing the same. The Methodology Implied is
more of Empirical Nature.
Objectives:
1. The unit deals with the study of time when Dalit movement
started in India. Jyotiba Phule was one of the prominent social
reformers who led the movement against the caste restrictions
in India.

2. To understand from where this word ‘ Dalit’ Come from??

3. Which sects of people are called Dalits?

4. Understand the work & culture of Dalits.

 Table of Contents
 Acknowledgements 2

 Research Methodology 3

 Objectives 4

 Introduction

 Jyotiba Phule as a social reformer 7

 Social Status of Dalits 8

 Dalits and Religion

 Dalit Movements in various states of India

10

 Conclusions

11

 Bibliography

12
 Introduction
Dalit is a self-designation for a group of people traditionally regarded as of lower class and
unsuitable for making personal relations. The word ‘Dalit’ comes from the Marathi Language,
and means “grounded”,”crushed”,”broken to pieces”. Mahatma Gandhi used the term Harijan
instead of using the word Dalit. Harijan means Children of God. The Govt. of India in its 2008
National Commission for Schedule Caste observed that the term Dalit is unconstitutional and
hence forth ordered an immediate stop on its usage. Jyotibha Phule was a pioneer in this
movement. Dalit Movement was supported by many Great leaders. Prominent leaders like Dr.
B.R Ambedkar dedicated his life fighting against caste-oppression and fought to raise standards
of Dalits.Dr B.R Ambedkar renounced his Hindu religion and converted to Buddhism which is
know as world’s largest conversion till date.
 Jyotiba Phule as a Social Reformer

Birth-11Th April, 1827

Jyotiba Phule was one of the prominent social reformers of the nineteenth century India. He led
the movement against the prevailing caste restrictions in India. He revolted against the
domination of Brahmins and for the rights of peasants and other low-caste fellow. In 1851, He
opened a school exclusively for these low caste segment. He also attacked the orthodox
Brahmins and other upper castes and termed them as “Hypocrites”. He campaigned against the
authoritarianism of the upper caste people. He urged dalits to defy restrictions imposed on them.

 Death
Jyotiba Phule devoted his entire life for liberalization of untouchables from the exploitation of
Brahmins. He revolted against the tyranny of upper castes. On November 28, 1890, this great
reformer passed away.
 Social Status of Dalits
Dalit status has often been historically associated with occupations regarded as ritually impure,
such as any involving leather work, butchering, or removal of rubbish, animal carcasses and
waste. Dalits worked as manual labourers cleaning streets, latrines, and sewages. As these kind
of work were considered to be of polluted category so dalits were often ostracized from rest of
the society. Most of the dalits managed to move to the urban area where this caste differentiation
was less important. Dalits in villages did not have access to schools and sanitation places which
were common to all. They were even excluded from places of worship. E.g. Temples.

Dalits & Religion

Sachar Committee reports have revealed that Schedule Caste and Schedule Tribes in India are
not only limited to religion of Hinduism but also others religions.

Religion Schedule Caste Schedule Tribe

Buddhism 89.50% 7.40%
Christianity 9.00% 32.80%
Sikhism 30.70% 0.90%
Hinduism 22.20% 9.10%
Islam 0.80% 0.50%
Jainism 2.60%
The large majority of Dalits in India are Hindus, although some in Maharashtra and other states
have converted in Buddhism.

Dalits Movement in Various States of India

The dalit movements was fast catching in various parts of India after great leaders like Dr. BR.
Ambedkar, Jyotiba Phule etc. supported it.

Dalit Movement in Maharashtra

The dalit movement got great encouragement in Maharashtra. Dr. B.R Ambedkar was
responsible too give necessary support and encouragement to spark a dalit movement in
Maharashtra. In his memory ‘Diksha Bhoomi’ in Nagpur is built which is a pilgrimage of many
Buddhist worshippers.

Dalit Movement in Kerala

Dalit movement in Kerala started with a land struggle. Land struggle in Chengara, Pathnamitta
district, kerala by landless dalits started on 4th August 2007.

Dalit Movement in Uttar Pradesh

The rise of dalit movement in U.P could be seen when Mayawati became the chief minister who
is said to be representative of dalits.
Conclusions:
Though Dalit Movement was supported by great leaders but it did not attend that mark where
untouchability could be eradicated from its roots. Political parties in the name of dalits
representative are exploiting their votes and are not doing enough to raise their standards.
According to recent Economic survey conducted by India more than 50% of Dalits live below
poverty line. In many parts of Indian villages still the practice of untouchability exists. Centuries
of such oppression has resulted in severe poverty and its associated problems among dalits. The
statistics are illuminating – an illiterate person is far more likely to be dalit than a non-dalit (the
literacy gap between dalit and non-dalit is 14.8% and growing). Today majority of dalits work as
farm labourers, sewage cleaners and their struggle to get out the cycle of poverty continues, in
spite of reservations in jobs and educational institutes. There are several safeguards in the Indian
Constitution and laws enacted in the parliament including the SC and ST Prevention of Atrocities
Act. But these legal safeguards have not proved very effective in eradicating the oppression of
dalits within the caste system. The laws against the injustice are necessary but are not sufficient.
For the real redress the existing power structure must be dismantled.
 Bibliography

Websites

 www.indiatogether.com/dalits
 Caste in Indian Politics
 www.wikipedia.com
 www.ambedkar.org
 Self reading in Deekha Bhoomi
 Outlook-Special edition on Caste