Graded Patriarchy and Violated Bodies: Dalit Women at the Intersection of Caste and Gender

With a large number of discussions revolving around the necessity of sub-classifying Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes, what remains under the carpet is the question of identifying the hierarchical oppression faced by Dalit women in India. They are victims of a patriarchal, Brahmanical, and capitalistic society, and their discrimination exists at this intersection, making them primary victims of abuse and violence. The first section of the article examines the plight of Dalit women as a consequence of the power dynamics within which they are situated. The intersection of caste and gender places them in a position where negotiation becomes nearly impossible. The article further explores the denial of bodily autonomy as a consequence of their double marginalization, with cases such as the Bhanwari Devi rape case illustrating the appropriation of Dalit women’s bodies by upper-caste men. Despite such visible oppression, mainstream discourse continues to inadequately address the relationship between systemic oppression and the denial of bodily autonomy. The article also analyses factors that intensify marginalization, including educational deprivation, social exclusion from nationalist and feminist movements, and cultural prejudices that deny adequate protection in public spaces. It further evaluates the legal framework on equality and highlights its shortcomings in guaranteeing substantive equality to Dalit women.