Life for Dalits in India is often marked by significant challenges. Being a Dalit in India means facing discrimination and social exclusion based on their caste status. They encounter difficulties in various aspects of life such as employment, education, and social interactions. Rahul Sonpimple, a Dalit activist with a PhD in Sociology from JNU, and formerly a leader of the Birsa Ambedkar Phule Students Association, hails from Nagpur and currently heads the All India Independent Scheduled Castes Association.

In the recent episode of the ANI Podcast with Smita Prakash, Rahul Sonpimple discusses the lifelong struggles faced by Dalits in India. He emphasizes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's teachings and the effectiveness of reservations in fostering social harmony. Sonpimple highlights the severe underrepresentation of Dalits in politics and top national institutions. He advocates for extending reservations to the private sector.

Sonpimple alleges that SC/ST reservations in government jobs have consistently gone unfilled since independence. He also discusses the impact of Uttar Pradesh's first Dalit Chief Minister, Mayawati, and her reforms for the Dalit community. Sonpimple proposes policy-level changes to improve the quality of life for Dalits.

(0:00) Introduction

(0:55) Activism vs Politics

(9:50) Caste System in India

(19:26) Caste Discrimination

(24:20) Mayawati: An Icon of Dalits

(29:25) Reservation in Private Sector

(32:20) Lived Dalit Experience

(36:25) Anti - Brahminism

(40:30) Reservation in India vs USA

(47:40) Dalits in Political Parties

(52:30) Dalit Tokenism in Politics

(56:25) Malnutrition Among Dalit Kids

(1:00:22) Dalit Movements and Buddhism

(1:02:46) Dalit Buddhist Movement

(1:06:05) Hygiene & Attire in Dalits

(1:11:50) Literature on Dalits

(1:15:38) Caste Census

(1:19:00) Terminologies for Dalits

(1:25:20) Hope from Govt

(1:28:42) Merit vs. Quota' Debate