"Kaibartakatha"- An Exploration of Dalit Life

Abstract

The term ‘Dalit’ is a Sanskrit word which means ‘oppressed’ or ‘downtrodden’. Dalits in Indian sub-continent have been socio-economically oppressed for centuries. They are considered ‘untouchables’ by orthodox Hindus and Hindu theology because of their associations with occupations traditionally regarded as impure. “Kaibartakatha”, autobiography of Harishankar Jaldas, recounts his experiences of growing up as a dalit (fishermen community- ‘Jaldas’) in Bangladesh. This paper tries to analyses the condition of Dalit and the nature of their marginalization in our society. Traditionally, they have been denied of their basic human rights such as food, home, and education. This paper seeks to explore the inequality and discrimination a person faces just because of his birth. The socio-economic-religious reasons that compel a Dalit to become the subject of social humiliation and cultural subjugation, are the main focus of this paper. Also it shows clearly how ‘Manusmriti’ and ‘Brahminic hegemony” is still at work in our society.

Keywords: Dalit-literature, Inequality, Discrimination, Marginalisation, problems and struggles of fishermen community