Indian Tribes And Dalits In Transition: Migration, Identity, And Resistance

Abstract

This article investigates the dual experiences of Indian tribal communities and Dalits undergoing transformation through migration, identity reconstruction, and resistance. It examines how urban migration—both rural-to-city and ruralurban circulation—acts as a catalyst for identity renegotiation and the assertion of cultural pride. Drawing on ethnographic studies of Dalit
migrants in Mumbai and broader urban exclusion analyses, the paper underscores how symbolic assertion, middle-class emergence, and urban resistance manifest amid spatial segregation and socio-economic marginalization. Additionally, it explores tribal challenges—economic hardship, land conflicts, and erosion of cultural identity—and highlights their pathways to resistance. The synthesis calls for inclusive, culturally sensitive policies to support identity preservation and equitable urban inclusion.