| Dalit History Month | |
|---|---|
B. R. Ambedkar portrait at one of the earliest Dalit History Month events
| |
| Observed by | Ambedkarites, Dalits, Anti-caste communities, and others |
| Liturgical color | Different shades of Blue |
| Type | Cultural, Political |
| Significance | Celebration of Dalit history, leaders, movements, and milestones. |
| Celebrations | Talks, Lectures, Rallies, Social Media Lives, Public discourses |
| Date | 1 April |
| Frequency | Annual |
| Started by | The Dalit History Month Collective |
Dalit History Month is an annual observance as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the DalitsorScheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.[1][2][3][4][5] It is celebrated in April all over the world by Ambedkarites, followers of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.[6][7] Discussions,[8] storytelling,[9] history projects,[10] special publications in media,[11] and art works[12] are organized during this month.[13][14] The Canadian Province of British Columbia recognized April as Dalit History Month.
Inspired by Black History Month, a group of Dalit women launched the Dalit History Month project in April 2015.[15] The Dalit History Month collective originally included Thenmozhi Soundararajan, Christina Dhanuja, Maari Zwick-Maitreyi, Sanghapali Aruna, Asha Kowtal, and Manisha Devi.[16][17] Sanghapali Aruna and Thenmozhi Soundararajan came up with the idea during discussions at the Color of Violence conference in Chicago.[18][19] Dalit History Month is now community-led.
Dalits are discriminated against because of their caste, despite such discrimination being illegal in India.[20][21][22] Ignorance and absence of Dalits in Indian history by mainstream authors is discussed during Dalit History Month.[23] Issues faced by Dalits are pondered upon by citizens.[24]
In 2022, Canada's British Columbia province has recognised April as Dalit History Month.[25][26]
In March 2024, the city of Burlington in Ontario Province, Canada, declared April as Dalit History Month[27] and April 14th as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Day of Equity.[28]
