Sanjay Kumar, Researcher, Social Activist and Secretary of Deshkal Society
I research, document and advocate issues of subaltern and marginal peoples, primarily dalits and the labouring classes, whether they be issues of cultural rights, social empowerment or land/resource access. My main thrust is on knowledge-based activism – organized in full partnership with the marginalized groups themselves – which can on the one hand, enhance their own competence and capacity and on the other, democratize mainstream knowledge structures. The effort is to be able to set up a serious dialogue between the nation and the community, where questions can be raised by both sides on an equal footing.
I have jointly edited the book Asserting Voices: Changing Culture, Identity and Livelihood of the Musahars in the Gangetic Plains and Dalit Studies in Higher Education: Vision and Challenges. I have also directed the documentary entitled Aropit Pahchan Ke Par (Musahar Culture, Identity and Resistance). Presently I am engaged with a project titled Construction of Content Material and Teaching Manual for Children with Dalit Perspective.
Read here Prof. Kumar’s piece called "A Tale of Three Cities".
