Leveraging International Institutions to Address Casteism: The case of Ambedkar

During this Dalit History month, on the birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Penguin Random House is releasing ‘The Dalit Truth’, a symphony of Dalit voices as they call out to the future.

The multitude of Dalit truths and their battles against the lies perpetrated by the caste system are reflected in the pages of this book. It points towards a future filled with promises and prospects for the coming generations.

The book, edited by K. Raju, national coordinator for the SC, ST, OBC, and minorities cells of the Indian National Congress, is being published as the eighth volume in the Rethinking India series, published in collaboration with the Samrudhha Bharat Foundation. The authors featured in the volume come from various fields of social existence and bring narratives of different colors – not just stories of dismay but those of possibilities. The essays offer deep insights into social, educational, economic, and cultural challenges and opportunities faced by the Dalits, the varied strategies of political parties for their mobilization, and the choices to be made by Dalits for realizing equality.

The volume features expert views by authors such as Sukhdeo Thorat and Badri Narayan to Bhanwar Meghwanshi and from young thinkers and activists Jignesh Mevani and Suraj Yengde. It analyses the current Dalit status, economically, socially, and politically, the relevance of Ambedkar, and the new path of empowerment to be forged.

In his essay, Suraj Yengde first suggests four methods that can help activists leverage international institutions to address caste injustices: (1) UN route, (2) academic institutions, (3) think tanks, and (4) civil society solidarity. Discussing the first option, the author recalls when Ambedkar resorted to it. Here is an excerpt:

Leveraging International Institutions to Address Casteism
By Suraj Yengde

Courtesy : Govern ancenow

Note: This news piece was originally published in governancenow.com and used purely for non-profit/non-commercial purposes exclusively for Human Rights .