Fear and longing: Conversations with Dalits in Maharashtra ahead of polls

In Maharashtra's upcoming elections, Dalit communities face a pivotal moment, grappling with issues of caste quotas

In the winter of 1974, it was a volcano. Young men and women spouted forth from their grubby government chawls onto the snaking alleys of central Mumbai – the hope of a future free from the stench of caste bias and economic injustice steeled their hearts.

One of independent India’s longest-running movements – the 16-year-long Namantar struggle by Dalit activists to change the name of Marathwada University to Dr BR Ambedkar University. (HT Photo)

Today, a row of shops selling shirts and mobile phones line the street where their dreams were smashed. Sumedh Jadhav struggles to point out the spot where his elder brother Bhagwat was hit by