ABSTRACT
Akhila Nayak's novel Bheda is a moving document on caste oppression. Nayak thoroughly exposes the double standards of Indian caste society by highlighting the different forms of atrocities perpetrated on Dalits by the upper castes. This chapter focuses on the nature of caste violence depicted in the novel, which speaks eloquently of how the Dalits in Odisha have been the victims of caste atrocities. It brings a contextual relevance to the Dalit movement, and the emergence of Dalit literature in Odisha. Dalits are the target of the upper castes because, after availing themselves of modern education, Dalits are mobilizing resistance to protest against the upper caste monopolies. Apart from the caste question, Nayak brings to several important issues for debate and discussion. These include the role of education, caste and conversion, the role of the media, ecology and development and peace. By raising these issues as a Dalit writer, he would like his readers to at least reflect on them.
