Did You Know? Women Ignited the Most Cherished Time of the Year for the Bahujan—Dalit History Month, Discover All About This Revolutionary Celebration!

New Delhi- Dalit History Month is an annual observance held every April to honor the histories, contributions, and resilience of the Dalit community, historically marginalized as Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in India. It aims to recognize the vital yet often overlooked roles Dalits have played in shaping society, culture, and politics while shedding light on their struggles against caste-based discrimination and systemic oppression.

Inspired by Black History Month in the United States, Dalit History Month was launched in 2015 by a collective of Dalit women activists and scholars, including Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Sanghapali Aruna, Christina Dhanuja, Maari Zwick-Maitreyi, Asha Kowtal, and Manisha Devi. This initiative seeks to reframe Dalit identity from one defined by victimhood to one of agency, resistance, and pride.

The month features diverse activities such as panel discussions, storytelling sessions, art exhibitions, film screenings, history projects, and special media publications. A key focus is the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution and a central figure in the Dalit emancipation movement, whose birth anniversary on April 14 (Ambedkar Jayanti) anchors the observance. It also celebrates other Dalit icons like Savitribai Phule, Jyotiba Phule, Birsa Munda, Uda Devi, and Phoolan Devi, whose contributions to social justice and resistance are highlighted.

Why is Dalit History Month Celebrated?

Dalit History Month serves several critical purposes:

Reclaiming Historical Agency: Mainstream Indian history, often written from upper-caste perspectives, has marginalized Dalit contributions. This observance documents and shares stories of Dalit resistance, creativity, and intellectual achievement, challenging the Brahmanical narrative that reduces their identity to "untouchability."

Celebrating Resilience and Resistance: Despite centuries of systemic discrimination and violence rooted in the caste system, Dalits have resisted through social movements, art, literature, and political activism. The month celebrates this resilience and honors those who fought against caste hierarchies.

Educating and Raising Awareness: It educates both Dalit and non-Dalit communities about the rich legacy of Dalit contributions, fostering dialogue on caste-based discrimination, which persists despite legal prohibitions in India.

Honoring Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Other Icons: April marks Jyotiba Phule and Ambedkar’s birth, the revolutionary leaders who dedicated their lives to dismantling caste oppression. The month extends this tribute to other Dalit leaders and freedom fighters, ensuring their legacies endure.

Solidarity with Global Oppressed Communities: Drawing inspiration from Black History Month, it connects the Dalit struggle to global movements against systemic oppression, fostering solidarity with communities like Black Americans and Indigenous peoples.

Dalit History Month is observed globally, with strong roots in India and a growing presence in the diaspora:

• India: Events in India include Ambedkar Jayanti celebrations, multilingual music festivals, seminars, art exhibitions, and grassroots storytelling. These occur in both urban and rural areas, often under names like "Ambedkar Month" or "Ambedkar Saptah."

• United States: Launched in the U.S. in 2015, it is driven by organizations like Equality Labs and Project Mukti. Events include edit-a-thons, cultural performances, and digital history projects, with growing recognition in cities like Seattle.

• Canada: British Columbia recognized April as Dalit History Month in 2022, followed by Burlington, Ontario, in 2024. Advocacy by Dalit and Adivasi groups has led to policy changes, such as the Toronto District School Board addressing casteism in 2023.

• Australia: The Indian diaspora in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, and Adelaide hosts events through groups like the Ambedkar International Mission, often tied to Ambedkar Jayanti.

• Other Countries: The observance has spread to the United Kingdom, Germany, and Belgium, often through academic institutions and diaspora networks hosting events on Dalit culture and history.

The significance of Dalit History Month is profound and multifaceted:

Rewriting History: It centers Dalit voices, unearthing stories like Uda Devi’s role in the 1857 uprising or Dashrath Manjhi’s road-building feat, integrating them into broader historical narratives.

Combating Casteism: It addresses the ongoing reality of caste-based discrimination, which affects over 260 million people globally. India’s National Crime Records Bureau reported 50,291 crimes against Scheduled Castes in 2020, underscoring the need for awareness and action.

Cultural Pride and Identity: For Dalits, who make up about 25% of India’s population, the month fosters pride in their heritage, celebrating their art, music, literature, and rationalist traditions.

Global Relevance: By linking casteism to racism and classism, it resonates with global audiences and inspires intersectional discussions, especially for Dalit women facing compounded discrimination.

Policy and Advocacy: It has driven outcomes like Canada’s recognition of caste under human rights frameworks and increased visibility of caste issues internationally, encouraging year-round advocacy.

Sources:

1. Equality Labs: Official website and reports on Dalit History Month origins and activities (equalitylabs.org).

2. Project Mukti: Information on Dalit History Month events and advocacy (projectmukti.org).

3. National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB), India: "Crime in India 2020" report for statistics on crimes against Scheduled Castes (ncrb.gov.in).

4. The Wire: "Dalit History Month: Celebrating Resilience, Rewriting History" (April 2022) for historical context and significance (thewire.in).

5. CBC News: "B.C. recognizes April as Dalit History Month" (February 23, 2022) for Canadian recognition (cbc.ca).

6. Toronto District School Board: Official statement on casteism recognition (March 2023) (tdsb.on.ca).

7. Ambedkar International Mission: Details on diaspora celebrations in Australia and beyond (aim-australia.org).

8. Scholarly Articles: Contributions from Thenmozhi Soundararajan and others via JSTOR and Google Scholar on Dalit history and activism.

9. Indian Express: Coverage of Ambedkar Jayanti and Dalit History Month events in India (indianexpress.com).

10. Wikipedia