For An Informed Ambedkar Age
Asha Kowtal My recent association with campaigns resisting violence against Dalit women has brought me in contact with several individuals, groups and organisations that represent diverse perspectives and histories. Broadly it includes groups which have been advocating ‘gender justice’ and others who have been battling the cruelty of the caste system in India. The …
[Via Asha Kowtal] Dalit Mahila Swabhiman Yatra is yet another significant step in the independent assertions of Dalit women in India. It is a step forward for dignity. A step forward for self- respect. The fore fathers and fore mothers of our community have fought hard, despite all odds, to give us the right …
Eramangalathu Chitralekha On January 31, 2014, Chitralekha (the dalit woman autorickshaw driver from Payannur, Kerala, who has been fighting CITU/CPM men and who has faced repeated attacks from them in the past) and her family were again attacked at her home by a group of CPM goons belonging to its youth wing. Her husband is …
Eramangalathu Chitralekha On October 21st I was attacked again. This time they rounded up and beat my husband Sreeskanth because now they are scared to touch me. Sreeskanth has been living a life of social exclusion for a long time now. His relatives have abandoned him, his friends don’t talk to him, except very …
Violence against women in India – A review of the popular mythologies and their implications for VAW Cynthia Stephen India’s reputation as a destination for spiritual seekers seems to have faded in recent years. Reputed worldwide to the be the land of the oldest living civilisation, with a rich culture, living tradition, and a …
Challapalli Swaroopa Rani (Published in EPW in 1998) It has taken a long time for dalit women to overcome their oppression as women, as dalits and put to creative use the gains of social and literary movements. There are of course common issues that bind dalit men and women, like untouchability and caste oppression. …
P. Manikanta “Virtue has become caste-ridden and morality has become, caste- bound.” ~ Dr. B. R. Ambedkar The Patna high court verdict on the Laxmanpur Bathe massacre has once again made the Bahujans think about the Brahminical state which is actively preventing India from achieving the state of democracy that had prevailed in Buddhist …
Asha Kowtal A two day event planned in Delhi from tomorrow, September 30th, is one small step in the long and arduous journey of Dalit women reclaiming their rights. The programme will be held at Constitution Club, Rafi Marg, New Delhi. All India Dalit Mahila Adhikar Manch (AIDMAM) is organizing the National Tribunal – …
Vinayakala Korvi As fellow Savari members started to mobilize on facebook and email in response to Asha Kowtal’s call to support the Mashaal Rally, I joined the protesters on August 31st. We reached the venue at 6 pm. It was still daylight then and the mashaals had not yet been lit. A small crowd …