Dalit History Month

Dalit History Month is an annual observance as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the Dalits or Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.^{[1][2][3][4][5]} It is celebrated in April all over the world by Ambedkarites, followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.^[6][7] Discussions,^[8] storytelling,^[9] history projects,^[10] special publications in media,^[11] and art works^[12] are organized during this month.^[13][14] The Canadian Province of British Columbia recognized April as Dalit History Month.^[15]

Dalit History Month
B. R. Ambedkar portrait at one of the earliest Dalit History Month events
Observed by	Ambedkarites, Dalits, Anti-caste communities, and others
Liturgical color	Different shades of Blue
Type	Cultural, Political
Significance	Celebration of Dalit history, leaders, movements, and milestones.
Celebrations	Talks, Lectures, Rallies, Social Media Lives, Public discourses
Date	April
Frequency	Annual
Started by	The Dalit History Month Collective

History

Inspired by Black History Month, a group of Dalit women launched the Dalit History Month project in April 2015.^[16] The Dalit History Month collective originally included Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Christina Dhanuja, Maari Zwick-Maitreyi, Sanghapali Aruna, Asha Kowtal, and Manisha Mashaal .^[17][18] Sanghapali Aruna and Thenmozhi Soundararajan came up with the idea during discussions at the Color of Violence conference in Chicago.^[19][20] Dalit History Month is now community-led.^{[citation needed]}

Significance

Dalits are discriminated against because of their caste, despite such discrimination being illegal in India.^[21][22][23] Ignorance and absence of Dalits in Indian history by mainstream authors is discussed during Dalit History Month.^[24] Citizens engage in discussions and reflections on the issues faced by Dalits during this observance.^[25] The observance honors figures such as Babasaheb Ambedkar; one of the architects of modern India, whose birth anniversary falls in April—alongside Ramabai Ambedkar, Buddha, Savitribai Phule, Jyotiba Phule, Periyar, Kanshi Ram, freedom fighters Birsa Munda and Uda Devi, Phoolan Devi, Babytai Kamble, Shahuji Maharaj, Fatima Sheikh, Grace Banu, and many others.^[3][26][27]

In 2022, Canada's British Columbia province has recognised April as Dalit History Month.^[28][29]

In March 2024, the city of Burlington in Ontario Province, Canada, declared April as Dalit History Month^[30] and 14 April as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equity.^[31]

Gallery

• 
  B. R. Ambedkar portrait at Dalit History Month event, 2017
• 
  Dalit History Month event poster
• 
  Dalit History Month Editathon at UC Berkeley, April 15, 2017
• 
  Dalit literature at a Dalit History Month event

See also

• April 2018 caste protests in India
• Battle of Koregaon
• Caste system in India
• Caste-related violence in India
• Rashtriya Dalit Prerna Sthal and Green Garden
• Untouchability