Dalits Quotes

“The cruel social arbiters of Indian society were denying individual merit. In their eyes, Ambedkar was simply a Mahar, and they could
not care less if his scholarship was as vast as the sky.”
― Omprakash Valmiki, Joothan: An Untouchable's Life

“I have discovered that some groups and castes are offered little to no opportunity to work in the public sector in Nepal.”
― Santosh Kalwar, Why Nepal Fails

“Thus, a civil war in India is a wish of a god who does not believe in caste.”
― Kancha Ilaiah, Post-Hindu India: A Discourse in Dalit-Bahujan, Socio-Spiritual and Scientific Revolution

“भारतीय समाज में ‘जाति’ एक महत्त्वपूर्ण घटक है। ‘जाति’ पैदा होते ही व्यक्ति की नियति तय कर देती है। पैदा होना व्यक्ति के अधिकार में नहीं होता। यदि होता तो मैं भंगी के घर पैदा क्यों होता? जो स्वयं को इस देश की महान सांस्कृतिक धरोहर के तथाकथित अलमबरदार कहते हैं, क्या वे अपनी मर्जी से उन घरों में पैदा हुए हैं? हाँ, इसे जस्टीफाई करने के लिए अनेक धर्मशास्त्रों का सहारा वे जरूर लेते हैं। वे धर्मशास्त्र जो समता, स्वतंत्रता की हिमायत नहीं करते, बल्कि सामन्ती प्रवृत्तियों को स्थापित करते हैं।”
― Omprakash Valmiki, जूठन: पहला खंड [Joothan]

“Manikam’s wife’s voice was very sweet; she sang at every funeral ceremony. Tea, betel leaves and areca nuts would be her wage for singing at funerals. She used to sing for all Chieftains, Landlords, Village minors, bigwigs and now for Kalluchaye ; God ! How did she know all these funeral elegies!”
― Oren Tamira, counter-strike: An anthology of dalit short stories

“Ten years ago, Chinna would surprise everyone, while he played the Thappu… he would dance
Wearing anklets, to the beat of Kulunthiraan’s song*. With such mastery he would play for marriages, ear boring festivals and death. He used to train the Pariah boys in his street. But these days he could not play to that extent.”
― Oren Tamira, counter-strike: An anthology of dalit short stories

“How is it possible? Beating one's breast, weeping all day at the funeral; we will not have enough energy to work in the field at night ayya?” said Maruthamaval. “That’s right! After a day’s work isn’t it hard for you people to go to a movie theatre at night! Whom are you trying to cheat?”
― Oren Tamira, counter-strike: An anthology of dalit short stories

“Don’t you know the boys never showed up after Vadakuveetu’s funeral ! Old men are playing for God’s sake. We need to stop such lifeless performance. Time has changed. Paraiyan’s obeying our commands, are of the past”. Vettuvaru, disgustingly expressed. “Where were you, you ignorant fools?”
― Oren Tamira, counter-strike: An anthology of dalit short stories

“Look, in the course of time, these Parayans will ask for our girls in marriage. Hope you know. I have seen many Pariahs twirling their mustache and licking the leftovers from their teeth to eat. Eleyee! They are not as terrific as the Pallan, in my in-laws village. They will brawl acchee Poochu! ‘The Pallans there are very ruthless. I brought some Pallans from Ramanathapuram district and I know what they are really capable of. You know these Pariahs there were joining communist parties and doing all scheming jobs to intimidate us. You know what happened? They cannot even own 1/3rd of their Kuli (wage). But these Bloody bums! Have now started asking questions and resisting us since they think they are educated. What's their problem now? We are only asking them to follow their ancestral tradition and the jobs they performed for generations; like how they would for other communities,” twirling his mustache, Meesaikarar threateningly called, “Hey Ponna !”
― Oren Tamira, counter-strike: An anthology of dalit short stories