Balmiki Muhallas: Mapping Dalit social mobility, identity formation and activism in Punjab
Author(s): Yogesh Kumar
Abstract: Spatiality has played a critical role in defining the socio-religious and political identity of Dalits in India. Traditionally, spatiality had become the main source for their historical exclusion, social segregation and political deprivation. However, the present paper seeks to explain the significance of Dalit spatiality and its changing role especially in the formation and assertion of Balmiki identity in Punjab. In fact, Dalit spatiality has emerged an alternative site for their social mobilization and resistance. In order to explain this phenomenon, the present paper has been divided into two main sections. In the first section, the role of spatiality in the formation of socio-religious identity of Balmikis has been discussed in detailed manner. It also captures the new mode of identity articulation by vulnerable section while contested the mainstream path of their social mobility. Second section provides the glimpses of religious procession, congregation and activisms inside the Balmiki muhallas (caste neighborhoods) to make sense about their socio-cultural mobilization in the state.
Yogesh Kumar. Balmiki Muhallas: Mapping Dalit social mobility, identity formation and activism in Punjab. Int J Political Sci Governance 2024;6(1):373-378. DOI: 10.33545/26646021.2024.v6.i1e.452
