Dalit Politics in Punjab: Culture, Identity and Assertion

Abstract

Dalit politics in Punjab reflects a complex interplay of caste, culture, religion, and socio-economic structures. Despite the egalitarian principles of Sikhism, Dalits especially Mazhabi Sikhs, Ravidasias, and Balmikis have faced persistent exclusion from religious and social institutions. The evolution of Dalit identity in Punjab has been shaped by historical movements like Adi Dharma, colonial interventions, migration, and economic marginalization. Cultural assertion through separate religious spaces, literature, music, and symbolic commemorations has emerged as a powerful mode of resistance. Political mobilization has seen fluctuating fortunes, with parties like the BSP briefly gaining traction before declining, while the Congress has alternated between symbolic gestures and structural neglect. Youth activism, digital platforms, and diaspora support have further fueled a renewed consciousness. The assertion of dignity and identity today is multidimensional expressed through everyday resistance, community organization, and cultural innovation challenging dominant caste narratives in both rural and urban Punjab.