What does the term "Dalit" mean?
Q: What does the term "Dalit" mean?
A: Dalit is a term that refers to socially, economically and historically marginalized communities predominantly in India. It also means "broken/scattered" in Sanskrit and Hindi.
Q: Who popularized the use of the word “dalits”?
A: The economist and reformer B. R. Ambedkar popularized the use of the word “dalits” prior to 1935.
Q: What did Dr. Ambedkar fight for during British Raj?
A: During British Raj, Dr. Ambedkar fought for a separate electorate for Dalits in Ramsay MacDonald’s Communal Award which would have ensured adequate representation of Dalit community enabling them to vote for their candidate.
Q: What was the outcome of Mahatma Gandhi's opposition to Dr Ambedkar's proposal?
A: When Mahatma Gandhi opposed Dr Ambedkar's proposal it resulted in the Poona Pact which influenced the Government of India Act, 1935, which introduced the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (formerly known as Depressed Classes).
Q: Where is this social segregation imposed by caste system found today?
A: Today, this social segregation imposed by caste system is found in South Asia (India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh) and Eastern Africa (Somalia).
Q: Who are some new leaders who subscribe to this definition of "dalits"?
A: Some new leaders who subscribe to this definition of "dalits" include Kanhaiya Kumar and Brahmin marginal farmers trying to eke out a living but unable to do so also falls into this category.
Q: When was the term “Dalit” invigorated?
A: The term “Dalit” was invigorated when it was adopted by the Dalit Panthers activist group in 1970s and gradually used by political parties as well.
