VOICES FROM THE MARGINS: DALIT CONSCIOUSNESS IN CONTEMPORARY BENGALI LITERATURE
The Dalit Consciousness has become a strong literary and socio-cultural movement that resists the traditional structures of caste oppression and social exclusion in Indian society. The contemporary Bengali literature is increasingly incorporating these marginalized voices, which emphasize the experiences, struggles, and aspirations of the Dalit communities. This research paper investigates the representation of the Dalit Consciousness in selected contemporary Bengali literary texts through the themes of resistance, identity, social justice, and cultural assertion. Through the critical analysis of poems, short stories, and autobiographical narratives written by both Dalit and non-Dalit writers, this research paper aims to explore the ways in which literature becomes a site of protest against caste oppression and a platform for reclaiming dignity and self-representation. The research paper will also explore the narrative strategies, language, and symbolism employed to represent marginality and resistance in the larger paradigm of subaltern studies and critical caste discourse. Moreover, the research paper will emphasize the importance of literature in creating social awareness and resisting the hegemonic cultural narratives that have traditionally silenced the Dalit voices. By means of textual and thematic analysis, the paper proves that contemporary Bengali literature is not only a record of the socio-economic reality of the Dalit community but also a factor in the creation of a critical discourse on equality, human rights, and democracy. Therefore, Dalit literature in Bengal is a very important tool of social transformation.
Mondal, A. (2026). Voices from the Margins: Dalit Consciousness in Contemporary Bengali Literature. International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, 02(03). https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i3.314
Mondal, Aklach. "Voices from the Margins: Dalit Consciousness in Contemporary Bengali Literature." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology, vol. 02, no. 03, 2026, pp. . doi:https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i3.314.
Mondal, Aklach. "Voices from the Margins: Dalit Consciousness in Contemporary Bengali Literature." International Journal of Science, Strategic Management and Technology 02, no. 03 (2026). https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.55041/ijsmt.v2i3.314.
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