Dalit Theology: A Subaltern Faith Movement in Search of New Subjectivity- Dalit Theology

Dalit Theology: A Subaltern Faith Movement in Search of New Subjectivity

The Oxford Dictionary gives the meaning of the term “subaltern” as “an officer below the rank of captain, esp. a second lieutenant (to its noun and adjective forms), and also uses (1) of inferior rank, (2) particular, not universal (to its adjective form). Antonio Gramsci, an Italian Marxist, popularized this term while writing to counter Fascism during 1920’s and 1930’s, who substituted it for ‘proletarian class,’ Ranjit Guha explains further the meaning of this term in his preface:

The word ‘subaltern’…stands for the meaning as given in the Concise Oxford Dictionary, that is, ‘of inferior rank’. It will be used… as a name for the general attitude of subordination in South Asian Society whether this is expressed in terms of class, caste, age, gender and office or in any other way. Sathianathan Clark remarks that “The subordination and subjection that marks the life of Dalits in India bring them into the contours of a particularly contextual assembly of subalternity”

The term subaltern is used in postcolonial theory. The exact meaning of the term in current philosophical and critical usage is disputed. Some thinkers use it in a general sense to refer to marginalized groups and the lower classes – a person rendered without agency by his or her social status.

Dalit theology as Sabaltern in search of new subjectivity.

According to A.P. Nirmal, the theology of identity, argues that Dalit theology is a theology of identity. Theology emerges out of identity. The main aim or purpose of dalit theology is to reclaimed the loss identity of the dalit. The identity reclaimed aiming is that they are 'the children of God.' Dalit want to achieve the status of glorious Liberty of the children of God.

James Massey argues that the original identity of Dalit is that, the original identity of the Dalit is that they are the original or first dwellers of the land. This Dalit enjoyed all the basic rights owned land, a natural resources. These Dalit has divinely undivided humanity of this created world.

P. MohanLal Beer, the search for new identity is also the  search for self awareness, self esteem and rejection of oppressive values of caste system. Dalit theology provide new  consciousness against the consciousness of  identity  implicated by caste system.

Bishop, M . Azariah, first Dalit bishop, dalit theology is the movement of hope and liberation. This movement that helps the Dalit to achieve a new subjectivity. This theology re-define the mission and faith narrative among the Dalit. Dalit theology, theologically conscientize the need of asserting subjecthood, their identity within their faith community.

V. Devasahayam, Bishop head of dalit theology in Gurukul seminary, third dalit bishop. Dalit theology taught the Dalits of the values of their identity. Dalit theology encourage Dalit to make use of their subjective experiences to interpret the Christian faith. For dalits, Dalit theology offered new subjecthood in church and society. Dealt theology taught them to be proud of their identity.

Common influence of dalit theology in search of new subjectivity.

1. Dalit theology encourage the Dalit to fight for their rights in the church and the society.

2. Dalit theology motivated the dalit to question their negation of their space in administrative and ministerial location.

3. Dealt theology promoted the idea of casteless church and influence the non dalit to come out of their caste consciousness.

4. Dalit theology envisioned new Christian community, a community of equals.

5. Many Indian churches have  seperate desk or  department for the  affairs of the dalits.

Dalit theology attempts to destroyed the identity of subjugation and built up new identities of egalitarian and creates space for new community of justice, equality and right relationship.