Dalit means all those people of different castes and sub-castes among the depressed classes who were traditionally subjected to invidious discriminations on grounds of untouchability, and categorized as the untouchables, downtrodden, exterior classes, depressed classes or Scheduled Castes. The organizational or institutional efforts made by Dalit leaders for the liberation of the downtrodden masses could be termed as Dalit movement. It is a movement of protest against untouchability, casteism and superstitions. It aims at the uplift of the Dalits to the level of non-Dalits. It is the result of the consciousness of Dalits of their own identity as human beings, equally equipped with physical and mental capacities as other human beings, and equally entitled to enjoy all the human rights ‘;without any infringement, abridgement or limitations. The establishment and consolidation of the British Raj gradually but radically changed the political, administrative, economic and social fabric of India. The new set up in theory decried the caste, colour and creed prejudices and attempted to re-mould the Indian society on the principles of competition and individualism, liberty and equality. It encouraged the dissemination of the rational, liberal and humane ideas of the West. The new polity, the new administrative framework, the new judicial system, the new forms of land tenure and taxation, the new patterns of trade, the new education system, and the network of communications stressed the spirit of equality. Among the depressed classes also rose intellectuals, distinguished of whom was Dr. Ambedkar, who struggled to secure for them the social recognition and human rights. The all India Depressed Association and the All India Depressed Classes Federation, the principal organizations of these classes, initiated a movement to improve their conditions. The strategies, ideologies, approaches of Dalit movement varied from leader to leader, place to place and time to time. The ‘;Dalit consciousness’ came to the fore in different forms and shades. Thus, some Dalit leaders followed the process of’ Sanskritization’ to elevate themselves to the higher position in caste hierarchy.
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