Mangaluru: Champion of Dalit Rights, V.T. Rajshekar, Passes Away at 93

Renowned journalist, writer, and thinker V.T. Rajshekar, founder-editor of the iconic magazine Dalit Voice, passed away on Wednesday morning at a private hospital in Mangaluru. He was 93. Known for his unwavering commitment to Dalit rights and social justice, Rajshekar had been living a quiet retired life in Shivabhag, Mangaluru, and had been unwell in recent months.

Born July 17, 1932, in Vontibettu, Karnataka, Rajshekar became a towering figure in India’s anti-caste movement. He spent over two decades with The Indian Express before launching Dalit Voice in 1981, which Human Rights Watch described as “India’s most widely circulated Dalit journal.” The publication became a critical platform for marginalized communities, sparking debates on caste oppression and systemic inequalities.

Rajshekar’s bold writings often challenged caste hierarchies, Brahmanism, and the Sangh Parivar, earning him both admirers and detractors. In 1986, his passport was revoked for alleged "anti-Hindu" content, and he was arrested under the TADA Act in Bengaluru following a controversial editorial. Over the years, he faced numerous charges under sedition laws and the Indian Penal Code but remained steadfast in his mission for social justice.

His literary contributions include a plethora of books addressing caste oppression and social equity. Honors such as the 2005 LISA Book of the Year Award and the 2018 Mukundan C. Menon Award recognized his impactful work. Though Dalit Voice ceased publication in 2011, its influence endures in shaping the discourse on caste and justice.

Rajshekar is survived by his son, Salil Shetty, a prominent human rights advocate and former Secretary General of Amnesty International.

The last rites will take place on Thursday at his birthplace, Onthibettu, Udupi. His passing signifies the end of an era, but his legacy as a fearless voice for Dalit rights and social justice will inspire generations to come.