Kanaga Varathan “My body is my politics, my actions are my movement, my life is my statement,” everyone was astonished when the firebrand activist stamped their authority. “We need to educate people on how important it is to learn from black women and intersectional movement to strengthen anti-caste struggles,” the casual coffee shop conversation suddenly …
Savarna Saviour Psychosis: A Reflection on Rahul Gandhi’s Visit to a Dalit Kitchen
Vaibhav Kharat Recently, Rahul Gandhi’s visit to a Dalit kitchen and his interaction with the Dalit family was broadcast on his YouTube channel, which has millions of subscribers. It was framed as an act of inclusion, meant to bring attention to the everyday lives of Dalits, particularly their food culture. The visit showcased his conversations …
Savarna Saviors and Subaltern Stereotypes: The Caste Problem in ‘Panchayat’
Neeraj Bunkar In a previous article for Round Table India, I analysed the depiction of caste dynamics in Season 2 of the web series ‘Panchayat’. The series portrayed a village dominated by ‘upper caste’(Brahmins), while Dalits are depicted as struggling to secure basic amenities, such as toilets. This is exemplified through the character of Vinod, …
Victory for the Adivasi Land Struggle in Nilambur
Naveen Prasad Alex The land struggle of the Adivasis of Nilambur, Kerala, has ended after 314 days of hunger strike. The decision is based on the agreement made with the Malappuram collector. The strike was ended on the condition that 50 cents of land would be given to the 60 landless tribal families within six …
Challenging ‘De-Reservation’ and Reevaluating ‘Merit’: On Brahmanical Vocabulary and Praxis of Exclusion
Iniyavan M & Lalitha M “Those responsible for implementing the policy of Reservation must undoubtedly understand that “Reservation is neither a policy matter, a political gimmick nor a matter of Charity. It is a Constitutional Obligation” – Dr B. R Ambedkar In the line of policies aimed at systematic and sustained remoulding of the reservation policy …
“I am ready to go. I have no fear”: Chhatrapati Shahu
“I am ready to go. I have no fear.”— Chhatrapati Shahu (A reply to Abhinav Chandrachud regarding the chapter on Chhatrapati Shahu in his book ‘These seats are reserved’. ) Dr. Bhushan Amol Darkase “In fact, there is evidence that the British might have provoked Shahu to take strong actions against the Brahmins in Kolhapur …
Caste as a textual label and audible word
Anu Ramdas Caste is a word, and like any word is a single unit of language; when spoken or written it conveys some agreed-upon meaning. The key here being the agreed-upon part. Is there a universal agreed-upon meaning when the term caste is rendered as a textual or audible word? A word is often an …
Dalit Assertion in the State of Gujarat
Satish Parghi In the vibrant tapestry of Gujarat’s socio-political landscape, a significant and powerful movement has emerged— Dalit assertion. Rooted in a history of discrimination and social marginalization, this movement represents the collective voice of Gujarat’s Dalit community striving for equality, justice, and the recognition of their inherent dignity. This article delves into the historical …
America, a divided society
Round Table India This is a part of an online conversation between Kuffir and Anu Ramdas (Editors of Round Table India – who have worked for over a decade and half creating digital platforms for Bahujan writings, discussions and conversations). Kuffir is based in India, Anu Ramdas is based in the USA. Kuffir: What divides …