Dalit Voices in English: The Autobiographical Resistance to Caste Hierarchy

This research paper explores the role of Dalit autobiographies written in English as potent narratives of resistance against the deeply entrenched caste hierarchy in Indian society. These autobiographies transcend personal storytelling to become collective expressions of pain, protest, and social awakening. Focusing on Omprakash Valmiki’s Joothan, Bama’s Karukku, and Sharan Kumar Limbale’s The Outcaste (Akkarmashi), this study analyzes how each narrative articulates the lived experiences of caste-based oppression while simultaneously constructing counter-narratives to dominant literary and cultural discourses. This paper also examines the significance of English as a medium and explores the narrative strategies that transform individual suffering into political consciousness and social critique. In doing so, it highlights the dynamic interplay between literature and resistance, showcasing how marginalized voices reclaim power through self-representation