V.T. Rajshekar, Founder-Editor of Dalit Voice, Passes Away at 93

Mangaluru- Renowned journalist, writer, and thinker V.T. Rajshekar, the founder-editor of the trailblazing magazine Dalit Voice, passed away on Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Mangaluru. He was 93. Known for his fearless advocacy for Dalit rights and social justice, Rajshekar had been leading a retired life in Shivabhag, Mangaluru, and was reportedly unwell in recent months.

Born on July 17, 1932, in Vontibettu, Karnataka, Rajshekar was a towering figure in India’s anti-caste movement. After spending over two decades with The Indian Express, where he honed his journalistic skills, Rajshekar launched Dalit Voice in 1981. The magazine quickly gained prominence as “India’s most widely circulated Dalit journal,” according to Human Rights Watch, and became an essential platform for voicing the concerns and aspirations of marginalized communities.

Rajshekar’s writings in Dalit Voice often sparked nationwide debates, cementing his reputation as a staunch critic of caste-based oppression, Brahmanism, and the Sangh Parivar. His outspoken views came with significant personal costs: in 1986, his passport was confiscated for alleged “anti-Hindu” writings, and he was arrested under the Terrorist and Anti-Disruptive Activities (TADA) Act in Bengaluru. The arrest stemmed from an editorial he had penned in Dalit Voice, which another writer had republished. Over the years, Rajshekar faced charges under the Sedition Act and various sections of the Indian Penal Code for allegedly inciting disaffection between communities.

Despite these challenges, Rajshekar remained unwavering in his commitment to social justice. His prolific writing included numerous books on caste, oppression, and social equity. In 2005, he was honored with the London Institute of South Asia (LISA) Book of the Year Award, and in 2018, he received the Mukundan C. Menon Award, instituted by the National Confederation of Human Rights Organizations (NCHRO).

Even after Dalit Voice ceased publication in 2011, its impact continued to resonate, influencing generations of activists and thinkers. Rajshekar’s contributions extended beyond journalism; he played a pivotal role in shaping the intellectual discourse of the anti-caste movement in India and abroad.

He is survived by his son, Salil Shetty, a global human rights advocate who served as the Secretary General of Amnesty International.

V.T. Rajshekar’s last rites will be held on Thursday at his birthplace, Onthibettu, in Udupi. His passing marks the end of an era, but his legacy as a fearless champion of Dalit rights and social justice endures.