Contents: Preface. 1. Introduction. 2. Dalits of Bihar. 3. The Samiti and its activists. 4. Legal aid for Dalits. 5. Encounters and experiences. 6. Evaluation and suggestion. Appendices: 1. Organisational rules and operational infrastructure. 2. Distribution of social worker among Dalits in the villages. 3. Details of men's and women's units as on 30.9.95. Index.

"The present work is a study of an important voluntary organisation engaged in social awareness, economic uplift and political consciousness among the neglected sections of society. This institution being empathetic to the needs and aspirations of the poor and disadvantaged has been in a position to arrange succour for those in need. It operates in uncared politically dispossessed and economically distressed inhabitants in the remote rural areas and neglected urban centres. Its initiatives represent a moderate non-violent activism based on the critique of power and domination and seeks in the ultimate to generate a countervailing power in the people. It has been our endeavour to study the origin, growth and present status of this organisation. The impact of its strategy for transformation has been accorded close scrutiny. It has also been our attempt to highlight the issues confronting activism to ensure social justice and citizenship privileges." (jacket)

[A.K. Lal's books include The Urban Family Elite and Development and Harijan Elite.]

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