‘Thamizhagathil Ambedkariya Ithazhgal’: Ambedkarite journals tell of Dalit resistance in Tamil Nadu

In Tamil Nadu’s rich history of social justice movements, Ambedkarite journals stand as a powerful yet under-explored force. Writer and academician J Balasubramaniam’s Thamizhagathil Ambedkariya Ithazhgal (Ambedkarite Journals in Tamil Nadu), published by Neelam Publications, brings this legacy to light, revealing how these publications became powerful tools for social change, amplifying Dalit voices and challenging entrenched caste hierarchies in Tamil Nadu.

Through rigorous research, Balasubramaniam traces the evolution of these publications, which emerged as formidable platforms for social reform. Far from mere chronicles, these journals mobilised communities, critiqued caste and class oppression, and spread Ambedkar’s vision of equality and justice across Tamil Nadu. By engaging with Dravidian and nationalist ideologies, they became critical agents in shaping the state’s political and intellectual landscape.

According to Balasubramaniam, Dalit journalism in Tamil Nadu dates back to 1869, “marking a profound intersection of social, political, and cultural resistance”. In his previous book Sooriyodhayam Mudhal Udayasuriyan Varai, he explores this legacy, documenting over 40 journals published by Dalits between 1869 and 1943. Balasubramaniam categorises the history into two periods: before and after the 1930s.

Pre-1930s Dalit journals prioritised historical reclamation, advocacy for educational and economic reforms, and demands for British Indian policies to address Dalit oppression. Lacking electoral politics as a driving force, these…

Read more