Dalit Autobiographies in Pursuit of Inclusion: Role of Subaltern Literature in the Pedagogy of Social Work

Abstract

Dalit autobiographies are influential texts of self-reflection that express caste-based discrimination, social exclusion, injustice, poverty, and structural inequalities. Some of the Dalit autobiographies are popular subaltern literature in contemporary India. There is, however, an inadequate presence of such literature in social work education,
training, and pedagogies. Drawing upon Murdahiya, Manikarnika, and Joothan (part I & part II), famous Dalit autobiographies of Tulsi Ram and Omprakash Valmiki, respectively, and their experiences as social work educators, the author argues that subaltern literature has significant relevance to social work pedagogy, education, training, and practice.

Keywords: Dalit literature, discrimination, systemic inequality, aspiration, social work

DOI: 10.32444/IJSW.2024.85.1.15-30