Published on 8th Aug, 2025
This In-Brief written by Avila Kilmurray is based on this report by activist Martin Macwan, a lifelong champion for Dalit rights in India.
Born into a Dalit family in Gujarat, Martin has dedicated his life to challenging the discrimination faced by 160 million people who remain marginalised as "untouchables" despite constitutional protections. Through organisations like Navsarjan, the Dalit Foundation, and Dalit Shakti Kendra, he has built grassroots movements, established training centres, and pioneered innovative funding approaches like the Dalit Fearless Bond, which raised over Rs 1.6 million in small community donations after losing external funding due to India's Foreign Contribution Regulation Act.
Storytelling is a big part of Martin’s activism – he has authored 18 children's books, leading India's Dalit delegation to international conferences and documenting atrocities while advocating for a broader definition of "Dalit" to include all who stand against inequality.
Click the links on the side to access the In-Brief and fact sheet.
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