• Jebakumar
• Dr. S. Victoria Alan
• Ms. T. Jemima Asenath

Dalits have been encountering social, economic, cultural, educational and political oppressions right from the inception of caste system, which was roughly about 500 B.C. Designation of Dalits as defiled or polluted people by Shastras and Smrtis of Hinduism has been enshrouding Dalits with the social stigma of untouchability and has been harbouring contempt on them. These in turn have been oppressing Dalits even after untouchability had been outlawed in the Constitution of India. Oppression of Dalits takes the form of atrocities in India. Dalit consciousness derives its energy from Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s world-view and philosophy. Dalit consciousness is essentially a consciousness of revolt, revolution and change. Protest is the awareness that arises when man confronts an unjust and inhuman situation, and decides to get rid of it by way of raising his voice against it and acting to remove it. The basic ingredients of protest that naturally comes into conflict with the establishment are a consciousness regarding fundamental rights, a tendency to struggle, and a sense of independence and liberty. The paper endeavours to find how Dalits are oppressed, their consciousness is aroused and they protest in Joseph Macwan’s The Stepchild.

Dalit Literature, Dalit Consciousness, Protest, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Joseph Macwan, The Stepchild.

"Caste Oppression, Dalit Consciousness and Protest in Joseph Macwan’s The Stepchild ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no.848-853, June-2019, Available :http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908918.pdf

"Caste Oppression, Dalit Consciousness and Protest in Joseph Macwan’s The Stepchild ", International Journal of Emerging Technologies and Innovative Research (www.jetir.org | UGC and issn Approved), ISSN:2349-5162, Vol.6, Issue 6, page no. pp848-853, June-2019, Available at : http://www.jetir.org/papers/JETIR1908918.pdf