G. Lakshmi Narasaiah: Difference of perspectives between Dalit literature and revolutionary literature

Abstract

G. Lakshmi Narasaiah (1962) is one of the pioneers of Bahujan critics who have edited the anthologies that can be considered the landmarks in the field of Dalit Bahujan Studies. This essay is taken from the anthology Dalita Vada Vivadalu edited by S.V. Satyanarayana. Lakshmi Narasaiah was one of the critics around whose opinions most of the articles in the discussion were written. Lakshmi Narasaiah was writing and theorising when Dalit movement to some extent believed that Dalits, tribals and Bahujans could fight the battle together. A Dalit activist scholar like Katti Padmarao even said that women are also Dalits as Dr B.R. Ambedkar said that all those oppressed by the Manu Dharmasastra can be identified as Dalits. However, Dalit movement and Dalit literature took several leaps in identifying and declaring solidarity with those who can be called Dalits. While agreeing that Dalit is a political category but not a caste category, Dalit movement also emphasised that the politics of being a Dalit is also based on the trauma and stigma of being labelled as untouchables. Lakshmi Narasaiah in this essay is answering the questions and objections raised by the Dalit intellectuals and critics about the similarities and affiliations between the revolutionary movements and the Dalit movement. Such questions about the possible and existing similarities and solidarities have been raised about other movements such as feminist movement as well.