Representation of Dalit Middle-Class in Hindi Short Stories of Omprakash Valmiki and Ajay Navaria

Abstract

Representation of Dalit identity in the post-modern scenario is an open debate in Dalit
studies. My focus is on the emerging Dalit middle class and their representation in
Hindi stories. In this paper, I am proposing for a Dalit identity which undercuts the
appropriation and stereotype by Caste-Hindus and at the same time, keeps them rooted
to their roots. I will specifically focus on the short stories of Omprakash Valmiki and
Ajay Navaria to understand the psyche of Dalit individuals who reached this new space
of money, power and influence. The characters in these stories comes to an
understanding that caste is all pervasive and leaving their identities behind will never
dismantle the caste structure from its roots. The only way to achieve this is to follow
what Dr Ambekdar said in Annihilation of Caste: “It is not possible to break caste
without annihilating the religious notions on which it, the caste system, is founded”.
Through a sociological lens, I intend to analyse how they feel in the government and
private spaces and how they tackle obstacles of casteism in the urban spaces. I will also
try to explore the term Brahmin Dalits and its significance in creating new hierarchies
within the existing caste structures.