Understanding The Conceptual Framework Of Dalit Feminism In The Light Of Selected Works By Prominent Theorists Of Dalit Literature

Abstract

Dalit literature has evolved in the past few decades as an effective voice of those marginalized people who have suffered for centuries the atrocities and discriminations from the hegemonic classes in India. The Dalit women in particular, have suffere subjugation not only on the basis of being considered to be of an inferior gender but also because of their belonging to a class that was considered lowly, untouchable and too much inferior in comparison to the mainstream society. In the recent years, Dalit feminism has emerged and evolved in India since several female Dalit writers started documenting their own stories and the traumatic experiences of other Dalit women like themselves. This article makes an attempt to discuss and explore the multiple dimensions of Dalit feminism. In doing so, it focuses upon some prominent theorists of Dalit literature.