Dalit History Month 2024: Endurance. Solidarity. Liberation.

This year’s #DalitHistoryMonth poster was designed by Freedom Rios. Taking into consideration this year’s theme of Endurance. Solidarity. Liberation, the artwork intends to represent this particularly trying moment in time, where movement builders are actively resisting caste apartheid, cultural genocide, rising inequality, climate crises, authoritarianism, and more. The image placements and the carefully selected historical figures remind us that even in the bleakest of times, we must remain steadfast in carrying the lineages of our ancestors, continue to forge cross-movement solidarities — and recommit to the liberatory pathways they paved for us. The artistic choices made here are intentional, as with deep historical significance connecting to contemporary anti-caste victories and politics. The blue and yellow stoles interwoven across the piece represent traditional symbols of Dalit resistance.

The figures and key movement moments depicted in the poster include Equality Labs’ historic SB403 campaign to end caste discrimination in California; Uda Devi, a Dalit freedom fighter and one of the fiercest icons of anti-colonial resistance; Fatima Sheikh, a revolutionary social reformer and educator who stood steadfast in solidarity with the cause of educating Dalits, Adivasis, Bahujans, and women at a time of grueling Brahminical oppression; Rohith Vemula, who died by institutional murder for standing up for the rights of Dalit students; Bhanwari Devi, who relentlessly fought against feudal, casteist and patriarchal structures, laying the foundation for legislation that criminalized workplace sexual harassment in India; Gomati Augustine, a pathbreaking leader in India’s anti-caste and anti-corporation workers’ movement; Shri Guru Ravidas, a liberatory spiritual leader who was the first to envision “Begumpura” — a modern casteless, classless, tax-free city without sorrow and an impactful social reformer dedicated to eradicating caste; and the brave stance of three young queer Dalits: Dhrubo, Akhil, and Dhiren who changed the face of Delhi queer pride. Our 2024 Dalit History Month poster aims to pay homage to our expansive Dalit histories of the caste-oppressed, and aims to inspire our ongoing global struggle for a caste-free future.

At the center of the poster is the iconic image of Rohith Vemula carrying Dr. Ambedkar’s portrait as he along with his friends were evicted from the Hyderabad Central University hostel. While Rohith became the target of institutional murder, his legacy on the anti-caste movement both in and beyond university spaces is undeniable. Today, in universities across the world, we are seeing Dalit student assertion and solidarity as many institutions add caste as protected categories in their non-discrimination policies. The Dalit queer pride image on the piece originated from another revolutionary moment in time — this represents the first time that Dalits publicly stood up to proclaim that their unique caste-oppressed identities matter in LGBTQIA+ spaces and their voices should be heard. Uda Devi, a prominent leader of the 1857 colonial agitations is featured on the top right corner of the poster. Uda Devi was part of the armed struggle against the British when they attacked Awadh, forming a women’s battalion under her own command — her bravery inspires us even today.