Dalit Identity as an Oppressively Constructed Deficit in Nepal: A Historical Perspective

Abstract

This article critically analyzes the historical formation and reinforcement of Dalit identities in Nepal through the lens of Pierre Bourdieu’s theory of social reproduction and Tara J. Yosso’s concept of cultural capital. It examines how the caste system has historically shaped Dalit identities within a deficit framework, devaluing their social capital. To do this, the article examines how Dalit identities have been oppressed and marginalized through the transmission of the socially constructed caste system, as outlined in The Laws of Manu (also known as Manusmriti), across the fourteenth century to the present. Hence, the article contributes to a critical conversation about caste and untouchability by resisting caste-based hierarchies and issuing a clarion call to promote social harmony, justice, and equity.