Dalit Politics in India

Evolution and Challenges of Dalit Politics in India

Abstract

Post-independence, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar remained a front-runner in the Dalit Politics. He founded the Scheduled Caste Federation in 1942 to campaign for the rights of the Dalit community. Along with it, he founded a political party called Independent Labour Party. The party won few provincial elections and also successfully organized the largest peasant protest pre-independence. After his death, the Dalit politics saw many phases and many leaders including some powerful ones. From the Scheduled Caste Federation emerged the Republic Party of India which chose the path of Ambedkarite socialism. But the internal strife and race to power led to split in the party.