Exploring Power Dynamics: Domination, Discrimination, And Social Exclusion On Likhe

Abstract

This paper explores how Dalits in Nepal are discriminated in terms of caste-based hierarchy and untouchability. It analyzes the novel Likhe and information derived from six major English students. The textual information and data collected from the interviews have been analyzed using the cultural representation theory; semiotic and discursive approaches by Stuart Hall (1997). Both data were integrated based on the thematic analysis. To prove textual evidences, researchers selected Dalit participants for their live experiences. Hall’s theoretical concept is suitable to represent Dalit issues. Likhe, his parents and other characters like Sānnāni, Kāle Kāmi and Dalit males and females experience harsh cultural discrimination and untouchable practices both in theories and practices. The non-Dalits keep distance and mistreat Dalit characters in all walks of life private homes as well as at public places such as schools, temples, water sources. The representation shows non-Dalits torture Dalit students at school periphery not allowing the drinking water, and touching the pitcher. Likhe was offered the leftover food while Cāuri and Cāure were exploited. Dalit characters are addressed as, “dum” (water untouchable), “dumkā chāurā” (untouchable /infant of a dog), “achut” (untouchable), and “bādarko chāuro” (an infant of a monkey).  Six participants unanimously agreed that Dalit people are still facing domination and caste discrimination inhumanly and appeal to eliminate such bad practices. This insight opens up an avenue of scholarly discussion in academia to address the entrenched systems of discrimination to foster a just and equitable society devoid of prejudice based on caste, color, and gender.