The Dalit movement mobilises Dalits to fight against social, economic, religious and political inequalities. Dalits or the oppressed classes are seeking solutions for their problems like oppression and exploitation through organised efforts. Achieving self-respect and self-reliance are the main objectives of the dalit movement.

In Karnataka, Dalit movement may be studied under two phases; the pre-independent and the post-independent. Further, the preindependent movement is subdivided into three phases. They are,

1. Basaveshvara and the Dalit movement 

2. Dalit movement in the old Mysore region 

3. Dalit movement in the Mumbai – Karnataka region

1. Basaveshvara and the Dalit Movement: Basaveshvara’s religious reform movement in the 12^th century may be seen as an inspiration to the dalits and the oppressed classes. Basaveshvara was against dogmatic religious practices and caste hierarchy; and involved people belonging to the lower classes in his reformist movement.

Such involvement was a morale booster to the oppressed classes. Madivala Machayya, Ambigara Chowdayya, Medar Kakayya, Madara Channayya, Samagara Haralayya – all from the lower classes, were actively, involved in the reformist movement and this may be seen as the beginning of new era m the lives of the dalits.

Likewise, this movement saw the active participation of women from the lower castes. Kottanada Somawa, amuge Rayamma, Aaydakki Lakkamma are some of them.

2. Dalit Movement in the Old Mysore Region: In the old Mysore region, the dalit movement did not happen as an independent movement, but, it had the inspiration of the Mysore Maharaja and Praja Mithra mandati and miller committee.

3. Dalit, Movement in the Mumbai Karnataka: The social, economic, educational and political conditions of Dalits of the Mumbai Karnataka region were no different from those of other parts of India. Majority of them were very poor and were unable to educate their children. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, spent a considerable time in organising and reforming dalits in order to improve their social, economic and educational conditions.

Two major dalit movements emerged in Karnataka in the postindependent period. They are;

a. Bhimsena 

b. Dalit Sangharshas amiti (DSS)

 a. Bhiipasena: In the year 1970, B. Shamsundar started an organization called Bhimsena in the Hyderabad Karnataka region. Bhimsena had an Ideology to fight against untouchability and oppression in a radical way. Dalits were trained to defend themselves against oppression. The then government banned activities of Bhimsena in order to avoid caste conflicts.

After the demise of Shamsundar in the year 1975, due to the lack of leadership, activities of the Bhimsena movement came to a standstill. B. Basavalmgappa was one of the prominent Dalit politician. In a programme, he stated that Kannada literature is like fodder (boosa) because; Kannada writers are not sympathetic to the woes of dalits and thus are dishonest in their writings.

This statement sparked controversy and led to violent protests throughout the state. In the year 1975, a state-wide meeting of the members of various Dalit organizations was called and a committee was formed to frame manifesto for the organization.

In the year 1977, a state-level meeting of all Dalit organizations was held and a unified ‘Karnataka Dalita Sangharsha Samiti was born’. The first convention of the DSS was held in Bhadravati and Prof. B Krishnappa was chosen as the State convenor of DSS.

b. Karnataka.Dalit Sangharsha Samiti: Since it’s inception, it was not interested in affiliation to any political.party and maintained distance from politicians. The organization grew strong, some of the leaders began to establish relationships with, politicians.

But, Devartoor Mahadeva, a prominent leader of DSS expressed support to Janata Party when he was the State convenor of DSS, meanwhile Prof. Siddalingaiah, a think tank of DSS was nominated to Karnataka legislative council. Interestingly, at a later stage, Prof. Krishnappa himself contested Kolar Loksabha election through DSS and lost in 1991.