Last month was Dalit History Month, marking the struggles for justice of Dalits – a group that is severely oppressed by the caste system, which traces back to Hindu scriptures. 

The month marks the birthdays of Dalit icons Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, and literary leader and anti-caste reformer Jyotirao Phule. 

Both led the fight to abolish the caste system in the 1900s, but Dalits – as well as Adivasis, and other caste-oppresed people – have continued to face persecution, violence and marginalisation.

There have been reports of rising casteism in Australia, with the Human Rights Commission recognising it as a form of racial discrimination at the end of last year.  

The Wire speaks with academic and filmmaker Dr Vikrant Kishore about his experiences of casteism here and how it can be challenged.  

Image: Thenmozhi Soundararajan via Wikimedia Commons

Produced By: Anisha Pillarisetty

Featured In Story: Academic and filmmaker Dr Vikrant Kishore

First aired on The Wire, Thursday 18 May 2023