The Department of History, School of Social Sciences, University of Hyderabad (UoH), recently hosted a captivating book discussion on “Dalit Journeys for Dignity: Religion, Freedom and Caste”. This edited volume, published by State University of New York Press, was penned by esteemed editors Dr. Ramanarayan S. Rawat, Prof. K. Sathya Narayan, and P. Sanal Mohan.
Key Takeaways from the Discussion
– Moral Stamina and Salvational Dignity: Dr. Anagha Ingole highlighted the concept of “moral stamina” and its connection to salvational dignity, questioning how dignity is defined and linked to self-respect.
– Dalit Emancipation through Christianity: Vennela Mocherla discussed the story of Nanchari, a Dalit person from Andhra region, who sought emancipation through conversion to Christianity after being denied entry into a temple.
– Continuity and Rupture: Sujit Parayil emphasized the importance of locating Dalit’s “social” first to address the political, introducing concepts like “sexual modernity” and “residual” to challenge existing temporalities.
– Religious Alternatives: Prof. Sathyanarayana noted that Dalits started engaging with religious alternatives, rejecting secular and rational narratives, and highlighted the significance of edited volumes in promoting research on marginalized communities.
– Ambedkar’s Key Concepts: Dr. Ramanarayan S. Rawat discussed Ambedkar’s ideas on “Moral Stamina”, “Dalit Social”, and the need for inclusion of “Dignity” in the preamble to guarantee equal rights and opportunities.
“Dalit Journeys for Dignity” explores the struggles of Dalits in India, focusing on their search for religious alternatives and rejection of caste-Hinduism as a step towards self-respect. The book delves into the connected histories of religion, politics, literature, and history, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities faced by Dalits in modern India.
The book discussion was a resounding success, with students actively engaging with the panelists and seeking clarifications on various aspects of the book. Prof. Bhangya Bhukya proposed a sincere vote of thanks, wrapping up the enriching discussion. This event showcased the University of Hyderabad’s commitment to promoting critical discussions on social justice and equality.
Contributed by Aparna and Mahesh, Doctoral scholars from history department.