Conversion as Emancipation: A Study of Dalit Women’s Life narratives in Maharashtra

Abstract

Millions of dalits converted to Buddhism in 1956 under the inspiring leadership of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. It was hoped that it will mark their socio-cultural emancipation from the clutches of erstwhile oppressive religion. Dalit women’s life narratives start appearing in public domain in Maharashtra from the late 1980s. A significant part of dalit women’s life narratives in Maharashtra is engaged in critiquing the still prevalent superstitions and ritual practices, and they wish to highlight the change and awareness brought in by ideological mobilization of Ambedkar led Dalit movement and conversion to Buddhism. Many life narratives recall how, with the conversion to Buddhism, the sense of shame, inferiority and degradation was washed away and document the intense feeling of liberation they experienced. In this paper, I wish to examine select life narratives written by dalit women in Maharashtra in order to analyse the role of religion, and conversion to Buddhism both as an actual event as well as a symbol of cultural regeneration in their self-assertion. There is a great element of self-reflexivity in the life narratives as they comment on the hold of Hindu cultural assumptions and traditions on their mind. I hope to trace this self-reflexive element as they introspect whether the community has lived up to the emancipatory hopes and expectations of Dr Ambedkar post conversion to Buddhism.