Re-reading Do Haath as an Intersectional Text: Ismat Chughtai and Dalits. (January 2022)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kazim, Rafia
• Is Part Of: Sociological bulletin. Volume 71:Number 1(2022)
• Page Start: 62
• Page End: 79
• Publication Date: 2022-01
• Subjects: Intersectionality -- Dalit Muslims -- women -- honour -- agency -- Pasmandas -- Ashraf patriarchy -- Dalit sensibilities -- celebratory resilience -- Ismat Chughtai; Sociology -- India -- Periodicals; Histoire sociale -- Périodiques; Sociology; Sociologie; Periodicals; 301.095405
• DOI: 10.1177/00380229211063160
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0038-0229

Abstract

Even though scholars and feminists have accused intersectional theory for being superficial, inadequate, context bereft and fashionably more populist than academic, its applicability in addressing multi-layered forms of discrimination cannot be ignored. It is against this background that the article, through a deconstructive reading of an Urdu short story, Do Haath, highlights the challenges of the protagonist, the Dalit household, comprised primarily of women. Besides discussing the intersectional subjects of the story, this article questions the deliberate omissions of the multiply disadvantageous people such as the Dalit-Muslim women, also known as the Pasmanda women from feminist, Dalit and subaltern discourses. Furthermore, this article foregrounds intersectionality framework to understand the multiplicative nature of oppression and discrimination that Pasmanda women are subjected to, and how by excluding them from their respective agenda, feminist and Dalit activists have contributed towards their perpetual marginality. Finally, the article suggests that intersectionality framework should be used to understand moments of celebratory resilience in the lives of intersectional subjects.