Dalit literature must focus on social integration: Sharma

Union Culture Minister Mahesh Sharma today described Dalit literature as a very powerful segment narrating tales of pain, suffering and agony, and suggested that it should now focus on social integration.
"Dalit literature is a very powerful segment... It is literature of pain, suffering and agony," Sharma said in a message to a seminar of Dalit thinkers and writers organised by Sahitya Akademy here today.
"We should expand it further to literature of aspiration since the community has moved forward economically and innumerable examples of Dalits, who have made strides in life are now available," he said.
Sahitya Akademi under the Culture Ministry has organised the seminar on the birth anniversary of Dalit icon B R Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution.

"We still need to go beyond this and focus on literature of integration which deals with social integration with the society as a whole," the Minister added.
Sharma explained that this can be further achieved by sensitising the younger generation by including this literature in text books.
Sahitya Akademi has been championing the cause of Dalit writing for a long time. Some of the prominent Dalit writers from across India who received Akademi awards include Devanura Mahadeva, Laxman Gaikwad, Joseph Macwan, Namdeo Kamble, Laxman Mane and Joe D'Cruz.
The Akademi has also been actively publishing 'Dalit Ekankia', 'Dalit Kavita' and short stories.