Dalit literature festival

Dalit is a term mostly used for the ethnic groups in India that have been kept depressed by subjectsubjecting them to untouchability. Dalit were excluded from the four fold varna system of Hinduism and were seen as forming a fifth varna, also known by the name of panchama. It was popularised by the economist and reformer B.R Ambedkar, who included all depressed people irrespective of their caste into the definition of Dalits. Ambedkar himself was a mahar, and in the 1970s the use of the word "Dalit" activist group.
Indian National commission for schedule castes consider official use of dalits as label to be "unconstitutional" because modern legislation prefers scheduled castes.
Dalit have had lowest social status in the traditional Hindu social structure but many reformers fought for the right of Dalits. Dr. BR Ambedkar fight to abolish untouchability in India.
So in that context, Dalit literature festival held in Delhi university's collage on 3rd and 4th Feb 2019.

"This platform has established a dialogues so that the pains and problems of dalits communities can be brought to light, futher more the cultural traditions and vibrancy of Dalit literature and art can be demonstrated, organiser said".

Speakers included, Marathi author poet Saharan kumar Limbale, Marathi novelist Laxman Gaikwad, academic Shantha Naik, writer Mohandas Namishrai,environment activist Media Patkar and writer Jai praksh kadam were all presented there.

The festival also witnessed a book fair, in which various publishers were seen participating and books of social relevance were also released.