Question

What is Joothan about?

Answer 1

Hint: Joothan is the autobiography of the prolific scholar and a representative of the Dalit community, Om Prakash Valmiki. The book depicts how the untouchables have been forced to accept and eat ‘joothan’ i.e. leftover food for centuries. The word ‘joothan’ encapsulates the humiliation, pain, and chill penury of a community forced to live at the bottom layer of the social pyramid.

Complete step by step answer:
‘Joothan’ is the autobiography of the famous writer and poet Om Prakash Valmiki. ‘Joothan’ refers to scraps of food left after a meal, destined for the garbage or animals. The book describes the societal oppression and problems that he faced while growing up as a Dalit boy. Valmiki also describes his life events when he was discriminated against the others of his age. He was greatly influenced by B. R. Ambedkar, which he did not forget to mention in his autobiography.

Note: The untouchables have been forced to accept and eat ‘joothan’ i.e. leftover food for centuries. The word ‘joothan’ encapsulates the humiliation, pain, and chill penury of a community forced to live at the bottom layer of the social pyramid. Although untouchability was abolished in 1949, Dalits continued to face the same discrimination, violence, oppression, economic deprivation, and ridicule. Valmiki, in his book, depicts the heroic struggle of a teenager against all these discriminations faced, and his desire to survive a preordained life of perpetual physical and mental persecution. He was greatly influenced by B. R. Ambedkar, which he did not forget to mention in his autobiography. ‘Jonathan’ is a major contribution to the archives of Dalit history. Also, it is a manifesto for the revolutionary transformation of society and human consciousness, being a document of the long-silenced and denied sufferings of the Dalit community.