---
layout: default
title: "The Dalit Deśiyata: The Kerala Experience in Development and Class Struggle"
categories: [A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel, The Dalit Deśiyata]
description: A 1990 edited volume by A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel on Dalit communities, development, class struggle and politics in Kerala, published by the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS).
permalink: /amaa/the-dalit-desiyata/
publication_year: 1990
created: 2026-07-08
homepage_featured: true
---

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***The Dalit Deśiyata: The Kerala Experience in Development and Class Struggle*** (1990) is an edited volume by [Rev. Dr. A. M. A. Ayrookuzhiel](/amaa/) that examines the social, economic and political experiences of Dalit communities in Kerala. Published for the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS) by the Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK), the volume brings together contributions from scholars and activists to explore the relationship between development, class struggle, public policy and Dalit liberation.

The volume comprises seven chapters, including an introduction and conclusion by Ayrookuzhiel, and contributions by P. Sivanandan, N. K. Jose, Paul Chirakkarode, C. Kuttikrishnan and M. Kunhaman. Together, the essays examine various aspects of Dalit experiences in Kerala, including institutional reform, labour struggles, Left politics and legislation affecting Dalit communities.

## Contents

1. [Background](#background)
2. [Chapters](#chapters)
3. [Publication details](#publication-details)
4. [External links](#external-links)

## Background

*The Dalit Deśiyata: The Kerala Experience in Development and Class Struggle* was edited by A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel and first published in 1990. It was published for the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS), Bangalore, by the Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK), Delhi.

The volume was dedicated to the memory of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on the centenary of his birth. It presents a collection of essays examining the position of Dalits within Kerala's distinctive development experience and its history of Left politics.

## Chapters

1. Introduction — A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel
2. Economic Emancipation Through Institutional Reform: Experience of the Dalits in Kerala — P. Sivanandan
3. The Punnapra-Vayalar Struggle and the Dalits — N. K. Jose
4. Dalits and the Left — Paul Chirakkarode
5. Legislation for Dalits: The Record of Left Governments in Kerala — C. Kuttikrishnan
6. Left Parties and the Dalits in Kerala — M. Kunhaman
7. Conclusion: Dalits Move Towards the Ideology of "Nationality" — A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel

## Publication details

*The Dalit Deśiyata: The Kerala Experience in Development and Class Struggle* was first published in 1990 for the Christian Institute for the Study of Religion and Society (CISRS), Bangalore, by the Indian Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (ISPCK), Delhi. Edited by A. M. Abraham Ayrookuzhiel, the paperback volume comprises 106 pages and was printed by Printech, New Delhi. The copyright is held by CISRS.

## External links

- [Book details](https://books.google.co.in/books?id=mANuAAAAMAAJ) on Google Books
- [Book details](https://archive.org/details/dalitdesiyata0000amab) on Internet Archive (Online reading and borrow options may be available)

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