Digital Marginalities: Politics of Time, Space and Little Magazines of South Asia

Abstract

Little magazines play a pivotal role in movements emanating from marginalized communities globally. In the context of South Asia, these publications hold significant importance in movements addressing structural inequalities related to caste, gender, and class. Specifically, in the case of India, little magazines have been integral to movements combating caste-based disparities, notably within the Dalit movement. Since the advent of the printing press in colonial India during the 20th century, literary production has been harnessed as a powerful tool within the anti-caste movement. This large pool of anti-caste thought remains understudied, unexplored and lacks documentation. This utilization of print media in the movement serves a dual purpose: acting both as a means of mobilization and as a form of protest. It challenges the dominance of caste elites in controlling and populating public spaces, marking a historical trajectory in the fight against systemic injustices. Over the last few decades, with the emergence of digital media, print production has transitioned into digital spaces, particularly on social media platforms. Dalit movements have acknowledged these platforms to be effective and cost-efficient mediums of mobilization.