Calamities in Om Prakash Valmiki’s Joothan

Abstract

Literature serves as a voice for the voiceless, the marginalized, the neglected and the excluded community.  Omprakash Valmiki’s Joothan represents the voice of the unheard, the untouchables, and captures the evils perpetuated by casteism which hinders the development of the marginalized. Dalit writers, like Omprakash Valmiki, not only record his life experiences but also reflect the sufferings of his people. The narrative often mirrors the predicaments of the underprivileged and fights for social justice. As a social activist and humanist, he writes about the evils of casteism. Through his writings, he highlights the suffering and injustices faced by the Dalit community and strongly condemns the inhumane practices against them. The life journey of the author provides a tale of segregation and marginalization of his individual struggle amidst caste-based discrimination. Valmiki’s biographical plan highlights his experiences with social isolation and economic suffering. This article examines the exclusion and marginalization of Chuhra community and presents experiences of caste-based prejudice, elimination, marginalization and untouchability of the author and Chuhra Dalit community in the social realm. It also captures the author’s purpose of bringing awareness to the brutal practices of untouchability, social oppression and marginalization and his assertion to bring an end to caste-based discrimination.