The Poetical and Political Dimensions of the 'Woman Question' in Dalit Narratives

Abstract

The Dalit perspective offers a comprehensive understanding of "the woman
question" during colonial and postcolonial times, focusing on Dalit women.
Before the rise of mainstream feminism in India, the discourse on women's issues
emerged within caste discussions in the late 19th century. Early reforms targeting
upper-caste women were based on lower-caste models but were hindered by
upper-caste fears of losing caste status and power. Dalit women's issues were
highlighted by movements like Jotiba Phule's Satyashodhak Sabha and
Ambedkarite movements, intertwining women's rights with political rights for
Dalits. Influential figures such as Pandita Ramabai, Savitribai Phule, Muktabai
Salve, and Tarabai Shinde played crucial roles in advocating for women's
education, challenging Brahmanical patriarchy, and criticizing gender
inequalities. The Ambedkarite movement further radicalized Dalit women,
emphasizing the intersection of caste and gender oppression and encouraging the
creation of new public spaces for Dalit women. Dalit women's autobiographical
narratives, emerging from the Ambedkarite movement, reflect their double
marginalization and offer a distinct voice within Indian feminist literature,
highlighting both individual and collective struggles for dignity and identity.