DALIT MOVEMENT IN INDIA: Case of Maharashtram (Second Edition)

The Weaker Sections in general and the Scheduled Castes (Dalits) in particular, have been subjected to exploitation, oppression, humiliation and multiform deprivation that persists even after independence, though with some difference. They have been socially degraded, economically exploited and politically subordinated by the dominant forces in Indian society. They suffered from multiple deprivations and were the victims of ‘cumulative domination’. Enraged over this, the Dalits have been developing a new awakening and consciousness and have started various movements all over the country, but more vigorously in Maharashtra. Dr Jogdand’s work is a painstaking, comprehensive analysis of the diverse forms of protest movements which emerged among the Dalits against the multiple forms of deprivations experienced by them. Dalits have waged struggles against the structures of dominance and control with varying degrees of successes and failures. Unfortunately, there is no comprehensive and aggregate level documentation of these struggles, their outcome, etc. as yet. On this count, the present study is timely significant as it fulfils overdue need for the literature on Dalit movement in one of the developed states in India. The author very sensitively endeavours to assess the contribution made by various agencies and also by Dalit themselves to overcome the maladies that afflict Dalits. The book offers a detailed account of the theoretical and empirical dimensions of the issue under discussion.