Dalit Feminist Autobiographies A select study

Abstract

The term Dalit has been derived from the Sanskrit word which means newline scattered and broken . But in Dalit literature it finds a new connotation as Dalit is newlinenot a caste but a realization and is related to the experiences, joys, and sorrows and newlinestruggles of those in the lowest strata of society as Arjun Dangle has said. But the newlinecondition of Dalit women is worse than the Dalit men because of the nexus of caste newlineand gender and caste and patriarchy. Thus, they are Dalit among the Dalits. After newlinechallenging the male authority over the autobiography, women used this genre to newlineexpress and historicize their lives. For the Dalit women, it is the best medium to assert newlinetheir identity as well as their community. Due to the prevalent caste system in our newlinecountry, Dalit men are the victims of caste system whereas Dalit women are the newlinevictims of nexus among caste, class and patriarchy. The present study attempts to newlineanalyse the discriminations, atrocities, religious subjugation and economical newlinedeprivation of Dalit women and their protest to assert their selves in their newlineautobiographies. newline