Theology in the Public Square: Dalit Theology and Dalits’ Forgotten Voices

Dalit Theology and Dalits’ Forgotten Voices: A Reappraisal of Latin American Liberation Theologies’ Influence Upon Dalit Theology

Dr Jobymon Skaria, Adjunt Lecturer, St Patrick's College, Maynooth

Dalit Theology can be understood as an Indian variation of liberation theology, which examines the intersection between religion and the Dalits’ quest for equality, diversity, and inclusion in the Indian caste context. Dr Jobymon Skaria, author of Dalit Theology, Boundary Crossings and Liberation in India (London: Bloomsbury, 2022), will introduce some basic premises of Dalit theology, arguing that the influence of Latin American liberation theology has contributed to the alienation of Dalit theology from Dalits’ forgotten voices such as Pottan Theyyam.

In exploring these issues, this presentation asks the following questions:

1. Who are the Dalits and what does Dalit Theology entail?
2. What prompted the emergence of Dalit Theology, and how did Latin American Liberation Theology influence its development?
3. How does Dalit theology relate to Dalits’ forgotten voices, such as Pottan Theyyam?

By exploring these questions, this lecture will highlight the importance of reassessing Latin American liberation theology's impact on Dalit theology while also drawing attention to the Dalits’ cultural resources such as Pottan Theyyam.