#valmikis

Valmikis are only symbolically associated with Hinduism and are devoid of any social and cultural capital. They are considered as the 'lowest' among Dalit groups, making them more vulnerable. Together with these, their absence from anti-caste discourse or, alternatively, the Ambedkarite movement's failure to expand beyond certain Dalit caste groups has left sanitation labour castes in general and Valmikis, in particular, vulnerable to caste/Hindu incivilities by detaching them from universal emancipatory languages and networks of progressive groups.

Historically, the Valmikis of Uttar Pradesh have practised non-Hindu religiosities i.e. they were the followers of Prophet Lal Beg. It is as recent as the 20th century that they had been ‘Hinduized’ by the consistent efforts of the Arya Samajists and other actors. The mythology propagated by the Hindu right symbolically associate Valmikis with Hinduism and drench out the inhumane form of labour from a community. Now they proudly proclaim to be descendants of the sage Valmiki, the putative author of the Ramayana. The sage is hailed as 'shristi rachaiyata' and ‘Ram-Ram’ is their usual intra-community greeting.