Dalit Foundation's Two Decades of Grassroots Impact in Caste Eradication, Social Inclusion

Jalaun- Dalit Foundation, established in 2003, is an Indian non-governmental organization dedicated to eradicating caste discrimination and empowering Dalits and other marginalized communities. The institution focuses on communities living in extreme poverty and facing caste-based discrimination. The organization's goal is to make grassroots interventions and build a strong line of leadership for the Dalit Movement. Through its programs, Dalit Foundation engages with Dalit youth and professionals from diverse fields such as journalism, medicine, academics, and engineering. Despite its name, "Dalit Foundation" provides fellowships to professionals from all communities, fostering sensitivity to the problems faced by the Dalit community.

One unique initiative of this Ahmedabad-based organization is the establishment of a Constitution museum in Sanand, Gujarat, aiming to sensitize the masses about the workings and structure of the constitution.

The Mooknayak met Pradeep More, Deputy Director of Dalit Foundation, to discuss the organization's programs and aims. Pradeep More was in Jalaun district of the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh to attend an event on the occasion of Manusmriti Dahan Diwas.

Supporting Groups Aiming to Combat Untouchability

Pradeep More stated that Dalit Foundation works to support the leadership needed to combat caste-based discrimination and untouchability in villages. The organization provides support to groups of people from all castes, ensuring an equal representation of Dalits and women. More emphasized the need for collaboration across all sections of society to address untouchability. The foundation also provides training for vocational courses at Dalit Shakti Kendra, Ahmedabad, enabling individuals to stand on their feet.

Incubating Journalists at the Rural Level

Less known is the fact that the organization has supported budding journalists. In 2004, Dalit Foundation became the first organization to recognize the work of Khabar Lahariya, a newspaper started by Dalit women in the Bundelkhand region of Uttar Pradesh. The monthly newspaper, initially handwritten, received a fellowship from Dalit Foundation, allowing it to progress into a digitized newspaper. The work of Khabar Lahariya gained global recognition in the feature documentary "Writing With Fire," the first Indian feature documentary nominated for an Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature in 2022.

Pradeep More provided additional information about Dalit Foundation's program to support journalists: "We support rural journalism and want it to grow because most problems occur at the village level, yet their issues are not covered in news media. We identify emerging journalists at the village level and support them, as seen with Khabar Lahariya, which started as a handwritten newspaper by four Dalit women."

Support for Doctors: Interventions Aimed at Curbing Medical Discrimination

Pradeep More revealed that the organization conducted a survey in Gujarat and found instances where health workers did not visit Dalit settlements during the polio vaccination drive due to caste-based reasons, depriving children of vaccines. Dalit community members also faced discrimination in hospitals, especially among Safai Karamcharis with unique health challenges. The foundation aimed to sensitize doctors from all communities to these issues. While training doctors, instances of discrimination at AIIMS, New Delhi were identified, leading to legal intervention that confirmed and addressed the unequal opportunities provided.

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