VOICING DALIT FEMINIST CONSCIOUSNESS IN BABY KAMBLE’S THE PRISON WE BROKE

Abstract

Baby Kamble’s The Prisons We Broke (Jina Amucha) is a landmark text in Dalit literature that foregrounds the lived experiences of Dalit women trapped within the intersecting structures of caste, class, and patriarchy. As one of the earliest autobiographical narratives written by a Dalit woman, the text challenges the dominant literary and historical discourses that have long marginalized Dalit female voices. This paper examines how Kamble articulates Dalit feminist consciousness through her portrayal of the Mahar community and the multiple forms of oppression endured by Dalit women. The narrative exposes the dehumanizing practices of untouchability, economic exploitation, social exclusion, and gender discrimination that shape the everyday realities of Dalit life. Simultaneously, it critiques the patriarchal norms operating within the Dalit community itself, thereby presenting a nuanced understanding of women’s subjugation. Drawing upon Dalit feminist theory, the study explores how Kamble transforms personal memory into collective testimony, giving voice to a community historically denied representation. The influence of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar emerges as a significant force in fostering self-respect, education, and social awakening among Dalits, particularly women. Through acts of resistance, self-assertion, and political consciousness, the text reclaims agency for Dalit women and challenges caste-based hegemonic structures. The paper argues that The Prisons We Broke functions not merely as an autobiography but as a socio-political document that records collective suffering and resilience. By voicing the experiences of Dalit women, Kamble contributes significantly to the development of Dalit feminist discourse and redefines the relationship between gender, caste, and identity in Indian literature.