Ambedkarite Student Movements and Indian University Campuses: A Brief History

Abstract

In the modern history of India, especially pre- and post-independence, history of student politics and movements remains an area that is less explored and needs further research and exploration, and within that history, that is, the history of student movements and politics, history of Ambedkarite student movements remains the least explored. Whatever little has been written on the mentioned subject focuses primarily on a particular geography and state. Therefore, this article is an attempt to fill this gap. This article presents a brief history of post-independence major Ambedkarite student movements (ASMs) that took place in different decades and parts of the country. As student movements are primarily associated with university campuses, this article also highlights the changes ASMs brought to the culture of the campuses in general and student politics in particular.