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Martin Luther King Jr.'s Understanding of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Dalit Liberation Movement: An Intersectional Analysis of Race and Caste

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Abstract

Caste has long been a subject of scholarly debate worldwide. It is not merely an identity but a central pillar of Indian society, representing a system of social relations that distinguishes Indian society from the West. Recently, caste has been recognised as a significant and complex form of discrimination. Notably, the United States has acknowledged caste-based discrimination, with California becoming the first state to include caste as a protected category in its anti-discrimination laws. Previously, Seattle became the first U.S. city to pass a resolution recognising caste as a factor in discrimination. Brandeis University also incorporated caste as a protected category in its anti-discrimination policies.  This shows that Americans have a sympathy towards Dalits, as the champion of Dalit rights, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (1891–1956), the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, was a scholar, jurist, and social reformer who championed Dalit emancipation is influenced by Professor John Dewey at Columbia University, his work addressed India's deep social inequalities. He acknowledged that he was inspired by the African American movements for their rights. Ambedkar once remarked that caste would become a global issue if Hindus migrated to other regions.  Therefore, there is a need of solidarity between African Americans and Dalits; both have been facing discrimination by supremacists. To challenge supremacists, Dalits were inspired by Black literature, emphasizing that both caste and race are socially constructed. Caste has been migrating with Indians, and that is why Dalits in the Indian diaspora face discrimination and social exclusion often at the hands of members of dominant castes. Through this research I will try to find the potential of the solidarity between African Americans and Dalits through Martin Luther King Jr., one of the most prominent leaders in the civil rights movement for Blacks in America. No doubt that Black intellectuals and literary work inspired to Dalits, and right now various books are available the intersectionality of caste and race, however, the   point that is completely overlooked is how Whites and Blacks in the U.S. and Europe perceive the Dalit movements? It is crucial to explore Martin Luther King Jr.'s perspective on Ambedkar's liberation movement.  In this research paper I will explore How did Martin Luther King Jr. understand Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's Dalit liberation movement? How did Martin Luther King Jr. understand caste and untouchability in India? How did Martin Luther King Jr. compare caste discrimination in India with racial discrimination in the United States?  How did Martin Luther King Jr.'s understanding of Ambedkar's movement contribute to the study of race and caste? This study will also explore the potential of Blacks and Dalits to collaborate in the fight against caste-based and racial discrimination and particular focused on King Jr. writings.