Historical Evolution of the Dalit Periodicals: From Print to Digital

The history of dalit periodicals is deeply intertwined with the broader struggle for social justice and emancipation of dalits in India. Emerging as critical platforms for resistance, these periodicals have evolved from print to digital media, reflecting the ongoing sociopolitical movements within the community. The first known dalit journal, Sooryothayam, was published in Tamil in 1869, followed by Dinbandhu (1877) in Marathi. Dr B. R. Ambedkar, a pivotal figure in dalit activism, spearheaded dalit journalism by founding Mooknayak (1920), Bahishkrit Bharat (1927), Janata (1930) and Prabuddha Bharat (1956). Concurrently, reformers like E. V. Ramasamy Periyar, Swami Achhutanand and Bhagya Reddy Varma contributed through their own publications across various Indian languages. The dalit Panther movement in the 1970s catalysed the rise of ‘little magazines’, which became essential outlets for dalit literature and activism. Today, dalit journalism continues to thrive in digital spaces, ensuring sustained discourse on caste discrimination and social justice. This article chronicles the historical trajectory and transformation of dalit periodicals in India, providing a comprehensive list of such publications. Based on the secondary sources, this article lists 193 periodicals related to dalits.