Autobiography as Protest

This article examines the transformative role of Dalit literature in articulating the marginalized voices of oppressed communities, with special reference to Joothan by Omprakash Valmiki. It highlights how literature functions both as a reflection of harsh social realities and as a medium for envisioning an egalitarian society. The study focuses on autobiographical writing as a powerful form of protest that converts personal suffering into collective resistance. Joothan vividly portrays the lived experiences of caste-based discrimination, social exclusion, and psychological trauma faced by Dalits in India. The symbolic significance of ‘joothan’, or leftover food, underscores the systemic humiliation and dehumanization embedded in caste hierarchies. The article further explores how Valmiki’s narrative moves beyond individual experience to represent the collective struggles of the Dalit community. It emphasizes the role of education as a tool of empowerment and resistance against entrenched social inequalities. By documenting everyday discrimination and internalized oppression, the text challenges dominant narratives and asserts dignity and identity. Ultimately, the article argues that Joothan serves not only as a personal memoir but also as a socio-political intervention that calls for justice, equality, and social transformation

Caste · Dehumanization · Dignity · Empowerment · Humiliation · Memoir · Narrative · Indian History and Philosophy · South Asian Cinema and Culture · South Asian Studies and Diaspora