Raed Anbarserri

Ms. Anjali Nerlekar

Modern Literatures of South Asia: Postcolonial Identity and Indian Literature

9/14/2015

Extra Credit

A few of the women from in India came to New Brunswick to spread a message about

their lives as the untouchables in the Dalit caste, a class so low in the social hierarchy that

people in them are considered negligible. Its bad enough to be neglected, but as females it has

unfortunately caused many of them to be easy victims of sexual assault. Many would be found

on the roads dead with cigar-burnt marks on their bodies, clothes ripped apart, and blood flowing

from their legs. Even then, no one would listen to their case, because there are always cases of

sexual assault around India. However, the perpetrators are found not guilty for their sins. Many

of the cases involved the recklessness of these women and how they could not be more careful

when venturing outside their homes, and thats what initiated the movement for womens rights

in Dalit and a fight against the castes as a whole. Their founder is a man they refer to as Baba,

who has given them hope and the necessary energy to rebel against their cruel world in India.

I would like to disclaim that I am in full support of spreading the thoughts of such

horrific events. No matter what the case may be, I dont comply with such injustice, but I do

want to point out why I believe their message hasnt come across to touch the hearts of the

world. It may be because they have told their stories many times and have been hurt from asking

for empathy from others, but from my observation they seemed to be too ready to fight and not
ready to plead. They displayed a video of them rioting against a man who did not listen to their

calls. They entered a building (I unfortunately forgot the name of) and wrote SHAME all

across the walls, as if to show that they are stronger than they are. It may be somewhat effective,

but it just proves that they are too upfront and not ready to compromise. Martin Luther King Jr.

did not ask his black followers to physically fight for their rights, because he believed that that

would cause even more distress and deepen the rift separating them from liberty. The women, in

my opinion, must show proof that people in the Dalit caste are not, indeed, outcasts. This would,

in turn, send a message to the world that the hierarchy in India is falsely implemented and must

be removed at once.

Im not a strong politician or activist. I cant say that what I observed and analyzed is

humanely correct or efficient, but violence will only lead to more violence. The better person is

the one who takes a step back and thinks of a proper method for dealing with their issues.

Nevertheless, I hope that these women do not mourn over any more losses and receive righteous

conduct from the authorities in India.