Dear Reader,
Recently, in a village in Ajmer district, a young Dalit man made history by riding a horse to his bride’s home—a first since India’s independence. This simple act defied a deep-seated discriminatory norm, prompting authorities to deploy 200 policemen to ensure his safety. (source: ndtv)
The incident is a stark reminder that caste discrimination is far from over. Our documentary ‘Apna Time Aayega’: When Dalits Fight for Dignity captures similar acts of defiance and resilience among Dalits in eastern Uttar Pradesh, who continue to fight for dignity, representation, and change.
Take the Musahar community—a historically marginalized Dalit group near Varanasi—who once hesitated to sit on a khatiya before upper-caste men. Today, one of their own contested the panchayat elections against a Thakur candidate in a general seat.
Meera Bharti, who overcame child marriage and caste discrimination, is now an inspiration to young women in her village, proving that change is possible through determination and courage.
In Azamgarh’s Palia village, brave Dalit women took a stand against the Uttar Pradesh police after their homes were allegedly demolished in July 2021.
And then there’s Pawan Chaudhary from the Dom community in Varanasi, who grew up near cremation ghats but now dreams of a future where his children receive an education and pursue dignified lives beyond caste-assigned roles.
These stories of resistance and progress prove that the fight for dignity is ongoing and essential.
The Quint has documented countless narratives and stories that challenge the status quo and bring pressing issues to light. To explore more such documentaries, CLICK HERE.
For the past 10 years, we have remained committed to asking the tough questions — from exposing misinformation to delivering impactful human rights reporting, our newsroom has relentlessly pursued stories that drive change. Join us in celebrating a decade of fearless journalism. Become a Quint Member* today!
Thanks,
ZIJAH SHERWANI
Creative Director
*Already a member of The Quint? What a star! Your support empowers us to question everything.
Want us to cover a story? Write to us at editor@thequint.com or reply to this email.
