‘Dalit feminism in a world of caste-based patriarchy’

-


Abhinaya Kamble addressing the workshop
“Dalit feminism is now being talked by a few dalit women who are under Brahmanical surveillance and trapped in politics of recognition. These dalit women talk about the dalit man and his subordination to his woman but a majority of dalit women are under the subordination of caste-based public patriarchy. Surekha Bhotmange of the Khairlanji’s case is one of the examples of such a system,” said research scholar and activist Abhinaya Ramesh.
Abhinaya was speaking at a two-day workshop on ‘Dalit Women: Social Experience, Resistance and Knowledge Building’ organised by ‘Phule-Ambedkar Chair’ of University of Mumbai recently in the city.
Raja Dhale, an Ambedkarite intellectual and founder of Dalit Panther, pointed out during the workshop that in Ambedkarian thought, caste and gender were seen as co-impacting and constituting each other so Ambedkarite struggle is simultaneously against caste and patriarchy.
Head of Phule-Ambedkar Chair of University of Mumbai, Prof Ramesh Kamble articulated the need to see the interlinks of Dalit women’s social experiences in the caste-based society, the active attempt of self empowerment and resistance against their marginalization practiced by them and the efforts for knowledge building, necessary for transformative practices.
Abhinaya, who out lined the central thematic of the workshop stressed on the need to historicize Dalit women’s social lives and their struggle, in order to understand the language of universality, of universal values, they speak. This will help in understanding the broader emancipatory struggles of the working masses for freedom from colonial rule as well as caste and class oppression, the role Dalit women have played in the women’s movements, the movements against communalism and even the struggles for implementation of ‘Mandal’ commission’s provisions for the OBC community’s empowerment.
Ms Chaya Khobragade, a social activist from Nagpur, discussed the struggles led by three Dalit women activists, namely Maya Uke, Pramodini Ramteke and Sharada Zhambre. These women played important role in asserting for rights of the women from oppressed sections, actively engaged with civil society organisations and successfully negotiated with and also helped transform the institutions of governance and justice.
Ms Lata Pratibha Madhukar, researcher and activist, commented that after a long gap such serious discourse has been organised where veteran leader of Dalit Panther Raja Dhale, senior academicians researcher activists and students participated since three decades.
The conference tried to theorise processes of knowledge production based on experiences and resistance. On the threshold of age of fundamentalism, these truth seekers’ voices will be a historic contribution.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

TISS alum works for 12 hours daily, post cesarean delivery to ensure Institute project reaches next level

-
Image
Tanmay Nayak, Director, NUSSD smiles on as Jyoti is honoured by Prof S. Parasuraman From a normal graduate girl, brought up in the city of Nanded to being a programme manager at NUSSD , TISSian Jyoti Kapale has come a long way… Jyoti's story makes an interesting read on how training at TISS has changed her life forever. Meet Jyoti Kapale, (MA, counselling psychology, 2013) whose sheer dedication and hard work has helped NUSSD, the flagship project of TISS, earn a reputation as a creator of employability among youths in one of the most backward talukas of Maharashtra. To the people of Ambad taluka in Jalna district, situated around 96 kilometres away from Aurangabad, she is heir own ‘Jyoti madam’, who have helped their children develop into skilled professionals armed with employable course certificate, that has helped them earn jobs with reputed banks and other financial institutions. These children are now drawing the kind of salary their family had never ever ...
Read more

Vinzai Devi Temple at Tamhini Ghat

-
Image
Vinzai Devi temple at Tamhini Ghat      Vinzai Devi temple at the Tamhini Ghats is said to be over a century old. One finds peace as soon as one enters the temple. The locals believe that goddess Vinzai fulfils wishes of her devotees. This temple is surrounded by soothing lush greenery. The temple has an arrangement of few rooms made for visitors coming to the Vinzai Devi temple.  
Read more

TISS alumni continue to shine worldwide

-
Image
Dr Balsing Rajput at TISS Library.  (PC: Swapnil Agaskar ) Once a TISSian, always a TISSian I think the success of any school can be measured by the contribution the alumni make to our national life.  --- John F. Kennedy Fellow TISSians have been grabbing the media spotlight worldwide. Mohammed Tarique  (SW-2005) and his team exposed the gruesome reality of shelter homes in Bihar during the social audit conducted by them. For more than a decade Taique has been passionately pursuing social issues by implementing innovative solutions to create long-lasting social impact and policy implications. Jeroo Billimoria (SW-1998) who is considered world's leading social entrepreneurs received a Royal Honor from the King of the Netherlands by being appointed Officer of the Order of Orange-Nassau. Jeroo is now ranked among renowned Dutch politicians, artists and scientists. TISSian Sumitra Bhave’s movie Kaasav (The Turtle), won the Swarna Kamal, (the Nation...
Read more