ABSTRACT
Chapter 3 by Manohar Yadav traces the course of Dalit movements in Karnataka where the movement has been strong and sustained. Yadav traces the movement to Basavanna (12th century), who fought the caste system till the end. However, the movement could make an impact only after Dr B. R. Ambedkar came on the scene. The anti-Brahmin movement in old Mysore had brought more benefits to the Other Backward Classes (OBCs) than to Dalits proper. In the post-Ambedkar period, Yadav traces three phases of the movement. All the three phases contributed to raising Dalit consciousness. The emergence of Dalit literature in Kannada is an important achievement of the movement showing the creativity of Dalits. Dalit movement in Karnataka also fought social evils like the Devadasi system and nude worship of the Yellamma Goddess. Dalits also launched struggles to secure land for the landless agricultural labourers with some success. In spite of these achievements, Yadav feels that the success of the movement has been limited. What is sad, as Yadav rues, even before the goals are achieved, Dalit movement has splintered. Its future is not clear.
