RECONSTRUCTING THE RIGHTS OF HUMAN BEINGS: A TRAUMA AND TESTIMONY IN BAMA’S KARUKKU

Abstract [English]

This paper analyses Bama’s Karukku, a pioneering work in Dalit literature, offering a deeply personal yet politically charged account of caste discrimination. The autobiography examines two key dimensions of oppression: the discrimination she witnessed in her village and the discrimination she endured within the Catholic Christian congregation. Through poignant storytelling, Bama exposes the systematic exclusion of Dalits from economic exploitation in the Naicker-dominated villages to prejudices entrenched within religious institutions. Her narratives not only shed light on the physical and psychological torment endured by Dalits but also critique the power dynamics that perpetuate such injustices. While caste-based discrimination remains pervasive—manifesting in education, employment, and social mobility—Bama’s resistance emerges as a central theme. She challenges caste hierarchy, questions the hypocrisy of dominant groups, and advocates for education as the ultimate tool for empowerment. Her literary activism has transformed Karukku into a landmark in Dalit literature, inspiring discussions on social justice, equality, and caste abolition.