Vol. 6, Issue 2, Part E (2024)

This paper offers a critical analysis of Narendra Jadhav's memoir, Outcaste: A Memoir (2005), within the framework of Dalit literature, postcolonial theory, and intersectionality. The study explores how Jadhav’s narrative subverts dominant cultural and social norms to assert Dalit identity, challenge caste-based oppression, and foster resistance. By examining themes of identity formation, caste oppression, education, and familial relationships, this analysis emphasizes the power of autobiography in highlighting the lived experiences of Dalits. The memoir, which details Jadhav’s personal journey from a marginalized position to a successful career, serves as an essential text in the context of Dalit literature. Through this analysis, the paper underscores how Outcaste contributes to the broader resistance against systemic social exclusion, offering both a critique of caste-based violence and a vision for social change. By centering the Dalit experience and foregrounding narratives of resistance, Jadhav’s work not only challenges the traditional caste structure but also provides a roadmap for collective empowerment.