Narrating Dalit Identity and Social Justice: A Critical Analysis of Omprakash Valmiki’s “Joothan”

Abstract

Omprakash Valmiki’s autobiography Joothan: A Dalit’s Life is one of the most important texts in modern Indian literature and a foundational work in Dalit writing. This research paper examines Joothan as a socio-literary document that exposes the persistent realities of caste oppression while simultaneously celebrating the resilience and agency of Dalit communities. Through an interdisciplinary framework that draws upon Dalit studies, subaltern studies, social history, and literary criticism, the paper explores the memoir’s representation of caste-based discrimination, internalized oppression, resistance, and the transformative role of education. Additionally, it evaluates narrative strategies, linguistic choices, and the memoir’s place within the wider corpus of Dalit literature. A review of critical scholarship and secondary sources situates Valmiki’s work within the broader discourse on caste, identity, and social justice. By analyzing Joothan in its historical context and through contemporary interpretations, the study highlights the text’s enduring relevance in understanding both Indian social structures and the power of autobiographical writing as a tool of resistance.