Caste, Class And Patriarchy: Multi-Dimensionality of Dalit Women’s Oppression in the Prisons We Broke

The paper attempts to examine Jina Amucha or The Prisons We Broke the autobiography of Baby Kamble so as to understand Dalit women's unique position in Indian society. Until very recently, Dalit experiences had been significantly absent from the mainstream Indian Literature. They occupied textual space only in the works of ‘upper' caste writers and sociologists who were driven either by sentimental compassion or social reform in their portrayal of Dalit character. Even when Dalit discourse emerged, it largely confined its attention in exploring the lives of Dalit men and remaining silent on issues related to Dalit women. The vast and complex literature on caste has also neglected the gender dimension. The paper seeks to explore few facets of the interface between caste, class and patriarchy in order to comprehend the peculiarity of Dalit women's suppression.