Notes on anti-caste allyship: Christina Dhanaraj and Dhanya Rajendran

On the Contrary by IDR

How can anti-caste allyship move beyond lip service and cede power? In this episode, Christina Dhanaraj and Dhanya Rajendran discuss what it really means to be an anti-caste ally, the role institutions must play, and why caste-marginalised people should take centre stage in the anti-caste movement.

Highlights

• While affirmative action has played a role in bringing caste-marginalised people into formal institutions, higher positions continue to be occupied by those belonging to the dominant castes.

• We still have caste-powered people at the centre, thinking of how they can be better allies. Instead, caste-oppressed people need to be at the fore, holding the power and being the ones originating anti-caste discourses.

• Social media has been a powerful platform for anti-caste voices and conversations. However, the call outs that have been happening seem to be taking up more real estate than the issues we should be talking about.

• It is important to educate and speak to younger generations about caste exclusion and oppression, and make them aware of their privileges early on.

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Read more:

1. The politics of mental health and well-being.

2. Who tells our stories: Representation of marginalised caste groups in Indian newsrooms

3. IDR Interviews | Bezwada Wilson

4. “I want to build a better life for those around me”

5. A story of caste, class, and activism

6. Photo essay: Justice delayed is justice denied

7. Caste, friendship and solidarity

8. How caste oppression is institutionalised in India’s sanitation jobs

9. Readings for an anti-caste education

10. We tell our stories ourselves: Young Bahujan artists on Instagram

This podcast is a Maed in India production, you can find out more about us https://www.maedinindia.in/

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