Samajik Drishtikone Dalit Sampradai : Mahasweta Devir Chotogolpo/ সামাজিক দৃষ্টিকোণে দলিত সম্প্রদায় : মহাশ্বেতা দেবীর ছোটগল্প

Abstract

The term 'Dalit' refers to an ethnic group that is often characterized as an oppressed, tortured, and backward caste. Generally a disenfranchised backward underdeveloped community in Indian Hindu society is known as Dalit. Upper caste people deprive them of all economic, social, political, religious rights. An Indian Bengali writer and human rights activist Mahasweta Devi took pen for their rights.  He traveled to different states and worked for the rights and empowerment of Dalit communities like Lodha, Shabar, Santal, Onrao etc. In his writings, he has repeatedly portrayed the unspeakable oppression of the tribal and untouchable Dalit communities at the hands of powerful landlords, moneylenders and corrupt government officials and the silent and vocal protests of Dalits against it. In her short stories 'Draupadi' and 'Shikar' we see the sexual exploitation of the lower caste by the upper caste and their vocal protest against it. On the other hand, in stories like 'Bayen', 'Rudali', 'Dhauli' we see the social stigma given to Dalits due to superstition and vocal protest against it.