Exploration of Dalit Empowerment and Resistance in Saraswati Pratiksha’s Nathiya

Abstract

This thesis investigates the journey of Dalits' empowerment and their resistancein SaraswatiPratikhaya's debut novel Nathiya. Through the analysis of narrative accounts of the protagonist Samali Badi and other Dalit characters and their transitions from the oppressed position to resisting characters, the novel illustrates how Dalits develop agency against systemic oppression.Using Dalit Studies as a theoretical framework, particularly ideas of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, andAahuti, this study analyses and contextualizes Samali’s evolution within the broader Nepali socio-political struggles faced by the Dalits movement. The research explores how Nathiya resists the systemic discrimination imposed upon Dalits, and how emphasizes their resilience and agency. The study highlights the novel's contribution to Dalit literature and its role in raising awareness against caste-based discrimination. Through close reading of the narrative and detailed character analysis, it raises the voice for the need for societal reformation and the recognition of Dalit voices. The Dalit characters’ development of agency is depicted through their refusal to accept their oppressed status and their active struggle for equality. Ultimately, this research enriches the academic discourse on the resistance of Dalits and their transformation, offering insights into the intersection of literature and social justice.Findings reveal that Nathiya is not merely a narrative of suffering but a powerful testament to Dalit strength and their genuine call for social change. Keywords: Caste-Based Oppression, Upper Caste, Lower Caste, Domination, Resistance, Transformation of Dalit.