Pro Casteism Brahmins’ Protest delays the Bollywood film on anti-caste Icons
17th April 2025
Jyotirao Phule, popularly known as Jyotiba Phule was born on 11th April April 1827 and passed away on 28th November 1890, was an Indian social activist, businessman, anti-caste social reformer and writer from Maharashtra. It was he who coined the term Dalit in the 19th century. This is the only identity chosen and accepted by DALITS to represent their status and their quest for liberation. Savitribai Phule his wife was also the first woman activist who opened up education for Dalits especially women and the first woman teacher in India. It is the Bollywood film on this great couple that Pro Casteism Brahmins Protest delays deliberately as reported below:
Inspired by Black History Month, Dalit History Month was launched in April 2015 by a collective of Dalit activists, to reclaim and reassert the agency of Dalits through their stories of resistance and resilience. It is celebrated in the month of April every year commemorating the birth anniversary of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (14th April), a social reformer and a prophet for justice in modern India, who vehemently strived for the annihilation of caste oppression.
In resonance with the spirit of Dalit History Month, #DalitTheologyMonth is being launched this April 2025 to reclaim our Dalit theological Identity, to reinvigorate our Dalit theological spirituality and to seek a public relevance of Dalit theology in our post-Christian and post-secular world. #DalitHistoryMonth is an opportunity to create a new interest, to celebrate new passion, new perspectives and to envision new dreams of/for Dalit theology, as a means of transforming our world today.
Dalit theology, as an Indian liberation theology has a come a long way ever since it made its inroads into the Indian Christian theology by the articulations of Arvind P Nirmal in 1981. Taking cognizance of the Dalit realities in the Indian Church and in the Indian public sphere, Dalit theology emerged as a counter theology, countering the dominant publics of casteism. It has also been a protest theology against the forces of marginalization, domination and oppression. Dalit theology contests the oppressive status quo of any form and all forms of oppression with an aim of affirming life in all its fullness.
Dalit theology today stands as voices of resistance to the colonial projects of knowledge and has been on the go in employing de-colonial methods of reading/hearing/listening texts, contexts, events, histories, theories and theologies and therefore this can be a pointer in seeking its public relevance today. The challenges that #DalitTheologyMonth poses to the euro-centred epistemologies are ‘learning to listen to the voices from below’, the voices from margins as contested epistemologies and ‘hearing to speech’ such knowledge forms. It calls to sufficiently theorise power and its dynamics from the perspectives of those on the margins and to address situations of oppression.
During this month, we are encouraging students, supporters, allies and friends of Dalit theology to be intentional in speaking/sharing/writing about Dalit theology and strive to build a global wave of solidarity for the cause of Dalit liberation and justice. I shall share 30 quotes, posting a quote each day throughout April from various Dalit theologians and invite people to share and reflect on them as my personal offering to this #DalitTheologyMonth. I now seek your support in promoting #DalitTheologyMonth through your creative offerings and solidarity. Come let us join together in seeking the divine among the sites of margins and strive for a liberative and just world.
The DSN-UK stands in solidarity, support and deep appreciation with Warinder Singh Juss, MP of Wolverhampton West for highlighting the importance of liberation from Caste discrimination. As we share this BBC news below, we would like to highlight the fact that this issue has been spoken of as important and laws passed to abolish caste discrimination more than a decade ago, tells us three things:
That the issue was considered urgent enough to introduce a law
That caste discrimination persists in insidious ways, and it requires more than a law to abolish caste
How many generations have to change before change is effected in society to dream of a caste free society? Caste discrimination is a human right violation. Human Dignity is affirmed as an unconditional universal human right – for all, regardless. Until everyone is liberated, no one is liberated.
The DSN-UK is happy and proud to join with the MP to amplify the call for justice
DSN UK is proud to present the following Book with 368 pages published on 2nd April 2024. Join us in our vision to create a world without Caste Discrimination
About the Book
For too long Nepal’s Dalits have been marginalized, not just socially, economically, and politically, but from academic accounts of Nepalese society as well. This volume forms part of a welcome new trend, the emergence of Dalit Studies in Nepal, led by a new generation of Dalit scholars. It covers a wide range of issues concerning Nepal’s Dalits and offers a snapshot of the advances that they have made—in education, in politics, in the bureaucracy, economically, and in everyday relations. At the same time the book documents the continuing material disadvantage, inequality, discrimination, both direct and indirect, and consequent mental suffering that Dalits have to face. It also touches on the struggles, hopes, and dilemmas of Dalit activists as they seek to bring about a new social order and a relatively more egalitarian society. Nepal’s Dalits in Transition will be essential reading for anyone interested in the past, present, or future of social change in Nepal.
Editors: David N. Gellner is Professor of Social Anthropology and a Fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford; Krishna P. Adhikari PhD (University of Reading) is an expert on social change and development in Nepal and elsewhere, and a Research Affiliate of the School of Anthropology and Museum Ethnography, University of Oxford.
Contributors: Krishna P. Adhikari * Tilak Biswakarma * Arjun Bahadur BK * Steve Folmar * David N. Gellner * Raksha Ram Harijan * Sambriddhi Kharel * Ram Prasad Mainali * Purna Nepali * Joanna Pfaff-Czarnecka * Krishna Shrestha * Manoj Suji * Ramesh Sunam.
I am very pleased to join Dalit Solidarity UK as its Director to continue to pursue my drean and vision of a world without caste discrimination.
Today, 10th October is celebrated as the World Mental Health Day since 1992. This year’s theme is ‘Mental Health at Workplace’ which becomes very relevant for Dalits who face brutal discrimination in their workplaces especially in South Asian Countries where it is practiced, and Migration of the dominant population to other parts of world where they generally continue to observe caste discrimination in discrete ways. We especially remember those who still work as manual scavengers, farmers who face the brunt of being humiliated, and exploited.
Last year’s theme too, ‘End the stigma and discrimination’ was very apt to describe the identity of Dalits who face these realities every day in their lives. Mental health issues are faced generation after generation and can be traced back to more than 2000 years in human history. This calls us to act in solidarity with Dalits who bear the brunt of discrimination and stigma, losing their mental health at workplaces. At this point we also remember all those who are unemployed and face mental health issues. We once again pledge our solidarity as DSN UK, to work for a world without caste discrimination here in UK, South Asian countries and other parts of the world.
Dr Elizabeth Joy
Director – DSN UK
10th Dec 2024
Training Session on Caste-Based Discrimination in UK Business and Global Supply Chains
23rd August 2023
In July, Dalit Solidarity Network UK hosted two events on caste-based discrimination in UK business and global supply chains, in collaboration with Ethical Trading Initiative, School of Advanced Study at the University of London, International Dalit Solidarity Network, and National Campaign on Dalit Human Rights.
A training session on caste-based discrimination in business and supply chains was held on July 13th. We were joined by representatives from 9 different UK based businesses with supply chain links in caste affected areas. The training was targeted at enhancing the company’s ability to detect caste-based discrimination in these work place settings both in-house and within the supply chain. As well as exploring potential strategies for addressing them going forward in their work. Those in attendance heard from DSN UK Director Gazala Shaikh, and Chair Corinne Lennox, alongside ETI’s Hannah Bruce and Beena Pallical of the Asia Dalit Rights Forum.
This was followed by a dissemination meeting on July 18th, where we were able to share experiences and discuss future strategies. Here we were also joined by Manjula Pradeep and Peter McAllister. Manjula is a leading human rights activist in the area of Dalit rights, with a special focus on Dalit women. Those in attendance had the privilege of hearing a very inspiring talk from Manjula about her work surrounding Dalit rights in India and view her film Dalit Defenders: United in the struggle for dignity and justice. Peter is the Executive Director at Ethical Trading Initiative, with over 20 years of experience in international development and rights-based initiatives around the world. He shared with us his knowledge and strategies for recognising and addressing discriminatory practices in business and supply chains.
Both events were made possible through the grant support of Knowledge Exchange Fund of the University of London.
To watch the discussion session from July 18th follow the link below:
Amnesty India, Oxfam India, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative and even Mother Theresa’s established charity all suffer from withdrawal of foreign funds
18th January 2022
On Thursday 6 January, Lord Harries of Pentregarth, Co-Chair of the APPG for Dalits, tabled a Parliamentary Question ‘To ask Her Majesty’s Government about what representations they have made to the government of India about the blocking of overseas funds for the Missionaries of Charity and other non-governmental organisations’.
India’s Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) appears to have been used to hinder many NGOs from operating within the country. This Act in effect requires that any NGO that receives income from abroad is registered with the government with a registered bank account in Delhi – wherever they maybe be located. However, accusations have been made that it is being used to silence a number of civil society voices that have criticised the current government. Many have heard about the problems that Oxfam India and Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity have had, but there are 179 NGOs whose licence renewal has been denied, not to mention those that have apparently not been renewed due to going past their expiry date, and some organisation’s bank accounts have been frozen. Support from abroad for minorities, who may receive limited funding within India, is absolutely essential.
It is heartening, therefore, to see Lord Harries table this parliamentary question and raise the issue of certain minorities being targeted under the legislation. Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon stated that he was well aware of the difficulties, and that officials have discussed both with the British High Commission in Delhi and the Indian Government itself, and that they will ‘continue to monitor developments in this respect’. He added that Christian, Muslim and Hindu organisations were also on the list, and that he was seeking more information.
The subject of caste discrimination was also raised by Lord Collins of Highbury and Lord Hamilton of Epsom, who asked how caste discrimination was compatible with human rights. Lord Ahmad himself brought up the Dalit community, and it was positive to see that this marginalised group is being considered in discussions.
To see a full transcript of the debate, you can find it here.
Several days later, Catherine West (shadow minister Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs) asked in the House of Commons what discussions had been had with the government of India on their refusal to renew Oxfam India’s licence. The response from Amanda Milling was somewhat disappointing, merely stating that she was aware of the difficulties, and that where there are concerns, they are raised directly with the Indian government, adding that the British High Commission in New Delhi ‘will continue to monitor developments, and engage with religious representatives and run projects supporting minority rights’.
It is essential that the British government receive assurances that there is no political motive behind the refusal of licences under the FCRA. Those who are suffering most through India’s decisions are Indians themselves, particularly those who have little access to support and justice.
The House of Lords addresses key issues for Dalits and Tribals in Nepal
17th December 2021
Representatives of the APPG for Dalits have been hard at work again, this time on the position of Nepal. Lord Harries of Pentregarth asked ‘what progress [the UK government] have made towards their commitments to providing (1) health services, (2) water and sanitation, and (3) access to justice, for marginalised communities in Nepal, including Dalits and Adivasis’.
Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon answered on behalf of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), stating that the UK targets development support at the most marginalised communities, and provides support to the Ministry of Health to ensure the most vulnerable are covered. He added that in 2021 they changed their support structure so that 400,000 of those most at risk were provided with water, sanitation and health facilities.
Lord Harries then asked the Minister as to why no Dalits had been appointed to the National Dalit Commission or the new National Human Rights Commission. The response was that there were encouraging signs of progress, as in 2017 roughly 22% of locally elected government positions were held by Dalit communities. However, Lord Ahmad agreed that the government will continue to lobby on strengthening human rights.
Lord Alton of Liverpool pressed again on the lack of representation of Dalits themselves on the National Human Rights Commission and the National Dalit Commission, and asked whether this would be specifically raised with the Nepalese government. He also asked whether there were any figures on the percentage of Dalits and Adivasis who have been vaccinated against COVID-19, and indeed the death rates compared to the rest of the population. It was confirmed that 24% of HMG’s support targeted vulnerable groups, including Dalits, but no further figures were forthcoming.
Lord Collins of Highbury asked whether, during the Prime Minister’s special envoy’s visit to Nepal to discuss girls’ education, representatives of the Dalit community attended. The response was that all communities were involved. Baroness Armstrong of Hill Top also asked about the UK aid programme now that cuts have been made to funding, stressing that the Strengthening Access to Holistic Gender Responsive and Accountable Justice (SAHAJ) programme had been very successful, particularly with women and girls from the Dalit community, but that their future was now in financial jeopardy. Baroness Armstrong added that the VSO (who run the SAHAJ programme) need to know whether finances will be provided, in order to effectively work with its partners in Nepal. Lord Ahmad replied that he was in direct contact with VSO, appreciated their valuable work, and would look into it very closely.
Our thanks go out to the APPG for Dalits for continuing to keep caste-based discrimination on the agenda and ensuring that the government is held accountable for bringing up difficult subjects with their counterparts overseas.
Decent Work NOT Descent work! 
