Dalit Literature – The Voice of the Oppressed

This research article “Dailit Literature – The Voice of the Oppressed” examines the emergence and significance of Dalit Literature as a powerful literary movement in post-independence India. Dalit literature represents the voices of marginalized communities who have historically faced social exclusion, discrimination, and oppression within the caste-based social structure. The article explores the socio-political context in which Dalit writing evolved and discusses how Dalit authors used literature as a tool for social resistance and cultural assertion. The study also highlights the major characteristics of Dalit literature, including its emphasis on realism, protest against social injustice, assertion of identity, and commitment to human rights and dignity. By analysing representative writers and themes, the article demonstrates how Dalit literature challenges dominant literary traditions and proposes alternative aesthetic and ideological frameworks rooted in lived experiences of oppression. This resource is useful for students and researchers studying Indian English Literature, Subaltern Studies, Cultural Studies, Social Justice Movements, and Dalit Literary Discourse.