1. Q: Emergence of Dalit Consciousness
OPSC 2006, 2016, 2020 | 20 marks | ~200 words
DefinitionDalit consciousness means the awareness among former untouchable castes that their suffering is not personal misfortune but a shared, structural oppression. It is also the assertion of their right to dignity and equal citizenship. The term 'Dalit' (meaning broken or crushed) was popularised by the Dalit Panthers in 1972 as a self-chosen identity, rejecting labels like 'Harijan' given by others.
Conditions that led to its emergence:
- Structural humiliation: Denial of land, education, temple entry and even water created a shared grievance.
- Colonial modernity: Railways, army jobs, English education and the census gave Dalits a space outside the village caste order. Missionary schools gave them literacy.
Phases:
- Reform phase: Phule's Satyashodhak Samaj (1873), Narayana Guru's SNDP, Periyar's Self-Respect Movement (1925).
- Ambedkar phase: Mahad Satyagraha (1927), Kalaram Temple entry (1930), Poona Pact (1932), constitutional safeguards, and conversion to Buddhism (1956).
- Radical phase: Dalit Panthers (1972) and Dalit literature asserted an aggressive cultural identity.
- Political phase: BAMCEF (1971) and BSP (1984) turned identity into electoral power.
- Contemporary phase: Bhim Army, Una (2016), Rohith Vemula, digital activism.
Key pointGopal Guru says cultural expression is the core of Dalit consciousness. Ghanshyam Shah calls the movements reformative and alternative. In short, Dalit consciousness marks the shift from silent endurance to organised demand for rights.
RememberS-A-R-P-C — Structural, Ambedkar, Radical, Political, Contemporary
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In these notes
- Q: Emergence of Dalit Consciousness
- Q: Caste Endogamy
- Q: What are the social and political consequences of the emergence of a privileged section among the Dalit and tribal communities?
- Q: What is a social movement? Give a brief account of backward classes movement in the country.
- Q: How did Ambedkar's views on caste differ from Gandhi's views?
- Q: Mobility in caste system
- Q: Describe backward caste movement in India as an important variant of social movement.
- Q: Issues of equality and social justice
- Q: Write an essay on the relationship of caste and gender inequality in Indian society.
- Q: Caste and casteism among Muslims
- Q: Evaluate the role of development policies in the empowerment of Dalits in India.
- Q: In the context of caste system, discuss the views of Gandhi and Ambedkar.
- Q: Analyse the Mandal Commission Report and issues of social backwardness and social justice in India.
- Q: Are the views of Gandhi and Ambedkar on caste system similar? Discuss.
- Q: Is there mobility in caste? Elucidate different kinds of mobility in caste.
- Q: Discuss the nature of caste among Christians and its challenges.
- Q: Explain the structural approach to the understanding of caste system.
- Q: Discuss the factor of caste identity in electoral politics.
- Q: Discuss Prof. F. G. Bailey's two principles of caste dynamics and identity. How is caste hierarchy expressed in the rules of interaction?
- Q: "Knowledge of traditional social systems can promote social justice and social reforms in India." Discuss.
- Q: What do you mean by Dalit consciousness? How has it transformed the interface between caste and politics in India?
- Q: Discuss the principal theories on the origin of the caste system in India.
- Q: Explain the cultural approach to the understanding of the caste system.
- Q: What is the Backward Classes Movement? Discuss its significance in Indian society.
- Q: Discuss the persistence of caste in modern India despite constitutional safeguards.
- Q: Explain the attributional approach to caste with reference to G. S. Ghurye.
- Q: Discuss untouchability and the measures adopted for its abolition in India.
- Q: Examine the role of caste in Indian polity with suitable examples.
- Q: Discuss the nature of caste among Muslims in India and the challenges it poses.
- Q: Critically examine the Mandal Commission recommendations and the issue of social backwardness.
- Q: "Reservation has produced positional change without structural change." Discuss with reference to social justice in India.