Question 6
What is the D. S-4 Movement?
Answer
D. S-4 Movement stands for ‘Dalit-Shoshit-Samaj-Sangharsh-Samity’ and it emerged as a significant movement during the 1960s to safeguard the social and economic rights of Dalits in India. The movement was influenced by the ‘Black Panther Rebellion’ in America and had a militant political agenda. The protesters demanded equal distribution of land, increase in the rates of daily wages, a chance for free schooling of children, and stopping economic oppression. The movement was very popular in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Madhya Pradesh. It helped in spreading Dalit literature through various publications and journals. The ‘Republican Party of India’ formed by Ambedkar also played a significant role in the development of the movement. The movement also received national stature through the publication of the fortnightly journal ‘Dalit Voice’ edited by the national journalist V.T. Rajshekhar. The D. S-4 Movement played a vital role in raising awareness about the social and political realities faced by the Dalit community.
