Divya Malhari
@Datlitwriter
Followers
8,895
Following
269
Media
45
Statuses
1,849
I write. I read. For most parts, I'm listening and learning. Or at least, trying very hard to. Jai Bhim! 💙
Bengaluru, India
Joined September 2014
Don't wanna be here?
Send us removal request.
Explore trending content on Musk Viewer
#Mchoice2024
• 249004 Tweets
Ganesh Chaturthi
• 154881 Tweets
ホームラン
• 64991 Tweets
#マイナビTGC
• 64939 Tweets
ビッグラン
• 19295 Tweets
三千院帝
• 14836 Tweets
九能帯刀
• 14678 Tweets
クリスマスパレード
• 13362 Tweets
#AlonAlbumTracklist
• 11098 Tweets
#PABLOAlonAlbum
• 10736 Tweets
Pinned Tweet
Learning from 2022- caste will ALWAYS find its way into every friendship/relationship you have. Your UC friends won’t see it, you will. You will struggle to find ways to explain to them how their words/behaviors are casteist. You will fail or succeed, but you’ll lose them anyway.
40
151
1K
I taught my first class about caste as an out and out Dalit teacher today. No confusion. Open statement. Ofc they spoke about how reservation as caste discrimination but wow, this feeling is so so so beautiful. I don't have to pretend anymore. Is this what life feels like? 💙💙💙
102
391
5K
Me - Pappa, I appeared in
@Outlookindia
and
@QuintFit
today.
Pappa - Very good! Keep writing.
*After a minute of silence*
You know, if you speak against the state, the police will come after you.
Me - I know. What to do?
Pappa - Nothing. Just know I'll still stand before you
36
172
3K
Many people have asked me why my Twitter handle is dalit writer. I correct them and say it's dat lit writer. They're always so shocked, they check again in front of me, just to be sure. They're all always UCs. How I laugh at them! Why do I make everything about caste? Your head.
13
83
2K
My mother becomes emotional when I read my blog out to her because she remembers how she struggled so hard to learn English and she's so proud of me because I can write so easily in English. I cannot ever get over how she makes my heart so heavy and light at the same time. ♥
24
55
1K
Delhi, need a very important and urgent favor. My cousin is going through a divorce from an extremely abusive marriage. I need good feminist lawyers who will understand her position and provide support without asking her to compromise on any aspect of the divorce. Please help! Dm
93
537
1K
Today, I spoke about Phoolan Devi and Jabya in an online class. Just as I ended the meeting, a student thanked me like the rest and quickly said "We love your classes ma'am. Thanks for teaching". Needless to say, I'm now crying. Also, I think this is how I teach Dalit texts 💙
22
67
1K
Please help sumeet get into Oxford. Let's amplify and help out our brother.
29
616
1K
Now I have a name that isn't what Twitter gave me. Hello, I'm Divya Malhari and this is my grandmother's story. :)
"Fed up of people calling her 'untouchable', one day, she touched everyone in her class and ran away from the school." Today, for
#DalitHistoryMonth
, meet the coolest Dadi (grandmother) on this planet! - Divya Malhari (
@e3186f293e9c4e4
)
#TheyInspireMe
22
333
976
24
178
963
Watched that Prof. Seema Singh video so many times, to understand what happened. That moment when a student answers to "bloody bastards, do you understand" was particularly heartbreaking. That was me, a few years ago. Trying to smooth it over so I can be educated. So I can belong
12
201
945
In the mood to expose the kind of shit that happens in a Brahmin school. And the effect it has on a Dalit student. So, here we go - all of us were forced to read the Bhagvadgeeta every afternoon, repeating after 'Swamiji'. Forced to wear bangles and put a red bindi on my forehead
47
233
937
If you don't already know, let me tell you, you're useless. Stop writing and start reading first.
10
87
841
I'm a Dalit feminist. Prior to assuming this identity, I identified myself as a feminist. Since I've started calling myself a Dalit feminist, I see people assuming I know nothing of feminism and that I'm just assuming the Dalit identity to differ. But let me break it down for you
12
125
798
I was recently interviewed by a media house who wanted to understand how mental health care works for Dalits. So, we had an almost two hours long conversation and what I said appeared in bits and pieces for maybe around two paragraphs or so. I spoke about SO many things.
13
122
701
Just want to say - So much hate in my inbox for appearing on
@fayedsouza
panel cause they assumed I'm a Dalit Christian. I've been told I'm not Dalit because apparently I'm Christian. Also they're calling me rice bag. So funny cause firstly, I'm not Christian.
25
112
693
Super excited to share with all of you that I was selected to pursue MA in Columbia University as they have offered me their highest fellowship and stipend. I’m humbled by how big this is for my people. Thankful for all the love I’ve received and excited about all I hope to do.💙
40
22
640
Mamma being mamma because I'm in a magazine. My heart sighs! 💙💙💙💙💙💙💙💙
12
11
621
When I see manual scavengers or people sweeping the roads and removing the shit there, I think of how even being able to feel disgust is privilege. Let that sink in. You're disgusted by something you'll never do. And you openly express the disgust to those who do. Y'all are sick.
10
106
599
Just saying-
I am Dalit. I knew it when I was a child. I hid it till I was 18. Then I did Psychology, English and Journalism at MCC. I didn't hide it then but I didn't say it till it was required. I did my nastera in SJC.
@rumlolarum
didn't teach me during my MA.
13
88
560
To all the UCs offering weird apologies and saying you must not be called out for what you said 10 years ago, here's something-
I hear you. I know it is hard to go back and tell yourself you need to be woke in the future and warn yourself to do better. 1/6
4
136
516
Rant. But if the shoe fits, please wear it and shut up.
6
51
510
People often ask me how I deal with the hate I get for my opinions. Honestly, everyday I have atleast one Dalit person tell me they know what I mean. They all tell me they're coping with their problems and my voice is theirs. And that makes me fucking year. Nothing else matters.
12
30
508
I wrote my heart out today. I've never felt so exhausted. I feel like all my vulnerability is out on a platter for anyone who wants to consume it. But I also feel strangely strong. I don't want to make sense of this feeling yet. This emotion is new.
12
120
507
Thanks,
@fayedsouza
for having us over. Felt so good to be with
@kirubamunusamy
whose courage is of the inspirational kind and
@cynstepin
whose kindness is always unmatched. 💙💙
The Problem With The Media Coverage Of Caste Based Crime
@Datlitwriter
says, "It feels like we are given attention for a second because they want to pick our causes, but I have grown tired of explaining to people how this is a caste atrocity."
34
334
1K
14
76
490
Me - Mamma, I spoke on a public forum and people found me relevant! Who am I? I don't know how I got here. Who am I? This is so scary and exciting. Who am I? Who am I? x 10 times
My mother (smiling her sweetest and reassuring smile) - you're MY daughter!
Me -sobbing in her arms
23
23
480
Listen. I'm not your mother or sister or wife or employee. That's also isn't why I deserve respect. I'm a bloody magical human being who has a long history of pain and oppression but I survive, thrive and celebrate myself and my women everyday. I'm a full human being despite you.
3
61
436
UC Hindus that constantly make fun of Dalit Christians by calling them "ricebag converts", laugh at yourselves.What a terrible failure your religion must be,for people to be bribed by something as simple as a bag of rice.That's like next level inhumanity, bro. The joke is on you.
5
105
429
Lofi Girl: Ambedkarite version by
@artwhoring
is another brilliant work by the immensely talented Priyanka! Share widely. 💙
11
84
429
Where are all of you now, who were busy asking us how you can be better allies? Why aren't you talking about Unnao now? Your mouths and mind shut off completely and only our hands and feet must work? Does your conscience let you sleep even?
#Save_Unnao_Ki_Beti
4
159
408
I've made a conscious decision to not reply to random ppl on twitter who ask me to explain about caste for the 100th time. I'm not running an IAS coaching centre. Go learn your GK from elsewhere. I'm not interested in your pseudo interest to have some shit intellectual debate.
3
15
402
En bekadru madkond hogi saayri, naan gedde geltini/ do whatever the fuck you want and go die, I'm always gonna win. Bye. :)
13
25
394
Hi. If you're a famous person or a page that has invited a Dalit person to speak for you, there are a few things you CANNOT simply forget. Here's what-
1. Tell us how much you're paying us. You're calling us to talk about our experiences and lives. 1/n
3
59
360
Let's all make and eat sweets cooked in ghee today. Let's all wear silk dhotis and sarees. Let's read the books we can. Let's give our love to dogs. Let's play the violin. Let's go sleep in the libraries. Let's write letters. Let's always educate, agitate and organize. Let's! 💙
2
37
346
So, let me tell all you uncles that you're the reason some of us converted. Look at you pulling people down cause you took offence that was in the air. And honestly, rice bags are better than scum bags. Y'all are the latter.
2
24
334
I'm Dalit. I'm also not Hindu because I don't think Dalits were ever Hindus to begin with. Technically I don't have a religion cause I didn't get one and that's a discussion into itself. But the hate is coming from Savarna men.
3
30
319
What you really meant,
@_pallavighosh
was "As an upper caste woman, all that matters to you is that her caste should be made irrelevant for your narrative to hold. So you will not think beyond it because, why make the effort to change things that benefit you? Say it properly.
@AbhinandanSekhr
As a woman for me all that matters is it’s a woman who has been outraged . Can’t think beyond that .
145
3
47
3
64
313
Uncle, mask elli?
We waited for more than 2 hours, well into midnight, for police to register FIR upon our complaint.
They instead manhandled 3 Members of Parliament.
We will file a motion for breach of privilege & teach Mamata’s police a lesson in constitutional propriety.
#MamataKaGoondaRaj
1K
7K
26K
10
16
318
In those perfect English-speaking people's groups. To not seem crude. To be accepted in a space you're told isn't yours. To work hard in that space and not have friends you can share it with, that's scary! Yet, so many Dalit students go through it no?
1
28
305
Now if evidence proves that Fr Stan Swamy was not guilty, can the NIA and governement undo their actions? You have blood on your hands. The man who sat with farmers and fought for their justice died from the injustice this government meted out to him.
3
58
311
After my second dose of Pfizer I had terrible body pain and fever. I'd never realised how away from home I am, till yesterday. I didn't even want food or anything. I just wanted her to tell me a story and put me to sleep by rubbing my back gently. Who even am I without her? 😭😭
3
2
306
The delicateness of being hurt by such comments is Savarna. I don't know how many of us can actually afford that delicateness. I'm enraged. At this teacher, at this system that squeaks a "yes, ma'am" out of us when we're called bloody bastards. At myself, for things I don't know.
1
31
276
My first commissioned article is up on Women's Web today. I'm thrilled to have come this far at all. Here's the link-
Tell me how you like it? :)
12
56
266
Hi there,
@navayanabooks
has started a Dalit History Month Fellowship this year.
If there are stories you know that can help us rewrite history, please apply. For more info, please check out the following tweet.
Please just apply and I promise you, this will be fun. :) 💙
7
135
272
My blood fucking boils. How dare you? I don't even wanna tell you why it's wrong. So fucked up. Just shut up and take it down. Fucking shit!
7
32
270
I carry this "yes, ma'am" attitude even now. At the workplace, everyday I treaded the delicate boundary between standing up for what I trying believe in and maintaining friendships. The former sometimes meant me realising that these friendships I was tryna maintain weren't real
1
22
252
Forced to learn fuck-all shit in Social science classes about how caste system functions. Induced a deep sense of shame for something I couldn't help. Took years to heal from those wounds. Discovered a book the class teacher left on the table that had my name and my caste in red
6
32
252
As a Dalit feminist, I continue to know and understand the things you find problematic about our patriarchal society. The point of divergence is that you don't care enough to know or understand if feminists of other communities and castes have the same problems or different ones.
3
18
245
Savarna feminists are always wrong. They've never accepted Dalit women as feminists or even tried to understand our feminism.
Dalit men have been sexist.
2
23
241
Hi
@RichaChadha
Here's a few things about your contradictions- we may not know a lot about your family but like you said, you know what happens in the film-making process, behind closed doors in the rooms of producers. You know something, we'll believe you for it.
i didn’t find anything MORE derogatory about the movie, than the offensive things she has been saying. we didn’t react to vicky’s casting in masaan bcoz it was directed by a dalit person and not bcoz we are “sexist”. also, he didn’t utter such BS tbh.
24
109
461
4
59
234
Story -
My ex-boyfriend was an asshole. He is a brahmin. I feel like they're both connected but anyway, his father had some 3 SC/ST atrocities cases against him. I found out about this towards the very end of our relationship. I've hated and blamed myself beyond repair, since.
10
11
234
I know it sounds oversimplified but someday, if I meet Smriti Irani, I'll probably just look at her and say - You should be ashamed of yourself for everything you've done. Go, sit in a corner and think about it, you stupid person.
3
14
232
So, they took it upon themselves to make life difficult for me then. And now, I stand before you, accused of having availed reservations all along but still proudly defeating every mofo that tried to pin me down. So, I guess I wanna say, from the bottom of my heart~
2
17
224
I’m tired of the judgements we carry, even as Dalit women. Especially as Dalit women. The judgement that if we enter an inter caste relationship, we’ve to continually analyze the power dynamics. The constant need to project myself as an ideal example is tiring.
3
21
229
Stop sitting with a stamp to approve our Dalit or Christian identities. You're neither. Stamp your mouth shut. Bye.
*End of rant*
1
8
226
This lack of wanting to know and understand the problems of those different from you is also the blame you've laid square at the door of patriarchy and men, in the past. So, our feminism is different not because feminism as a concept changes,
1
13
212
but because your idea of what it is just doesn't hold good anymore due to the inherent hypocrisy and if it isn't inclusive as a movement, then why should the ones excluded have to compromise on their voices/ problems, while amplifying yours?
0
14
209
WTF is anti-brahmin bias? Pls call it 'self-respect'. Brahmins are anti-humanity. Please don't be dumb on my TL now to try to prove your point cause you'll end up proving mine.
Loudly sing *I needed to hate you you to love me* just in case you get pop culture before humanity :)
2
22
213
Long thread/Almost a year and a half after people trolling me on social media, after being diagnosed with high anxiety, depression and PTSD, three therapists and steady intake of SNRIs, I finally feel well enough to say what I want to, with the kindness I wish I had received then
13
29
210
To everyone who has reached out, wanting to help, here's how you can-
This is Sumit's crowdfunding request. Whatever little or much you can spare, please donate for our brother. This is a community's dream and your small contribution can send him there!
6
149
203
Till my fourth standard, I studied in a Buddhist school.I don't remember most of my years there.But everytime I pass by that school, I see the statue of Babasaheb. It puts me to ease. I don't even know how or why but I tell myself I was ok when I studied there. He took care of me
1
12
199
My mother gave me advice today-
As your mother I've to tell you this- you break very quickly when someone hurts you. Don't. Wipe it on your ass and move forward. Let your ass grow big and show the world its place.
She usually advises me on a daily basis but this one's the best
3
11
205
Nobody:
Brahmin: I faced caste discrimination in school
Nobody:
Brahmin: once the Madhava teacher asked me whether I was smartha or madhava.
Murderous rage.
6
26
190
Was asked to stand up if I was SC, in my PU college for the announcement of SC scholarship by the government. Felt the whole class' eyes on me. Was constantly reminded that academic life was easy for me cause of float by on reservation.
2
19
192
I fumbled because I choked while saying it again. Ahhhhhh. From the shadows to the stars.
#newsworthy
I You need to be emotional about caste. Excerpted from a tender, soulful hour-long conversation with Divya Malhari
@Datlitwriter
and Pallavi Prasad
@pallaviprsd
0
28
155
3
24
198
Was asked if I'm SC during my tenth standard in the class because the records said so. An UC girl moved my finger from my caste column that I tried to cover so desperately to confirm it and spread the news. Was one of the only two SC people in my class of 51 students.
7
26
190
Felt scared, anxious and what not that I'd be discovered and bullied for being the only SC student in class, more than I already was. Was made to feel like shit because my parents didn't know enough English and their parents did (cause they studied in the same school earlier)
2
20
192
At a college I worked for as a lecturer. My aayi (grandmother) had passed away and a colleague wanted to find out which caste I belonged to, by directing questions at the position in which my aayi was laid to rest. Something so fkn weird about Brahmins and their pesky shit.
What's your caste story?
On
#IndependenceDay
, share your experiences of caste discrimination. If you've ever faced caste discrimination, at any place, share that with everyone.
Let the world know your caste story! Retweet please so that we've enough experiences. Thanks.
204
575
1K
1
37
190
This Dalit History Month, we’re hosting a panel discussion on Dalit women’s explorations of desire, sexuality and writing. So so excited to host this fabulous panel with our stalwarts
@caselchris1
@rumlolarum
and
@YashicaDutt
at
@Columbia
moderated by yours truly ☺️
6
54
191
Haha,we don't even have to do much to burn your ass.Azad fights for our people when you're looking away - nobody says shit.
Azad comes in a chopper-all he'll breaks loose!
Don't you get tired of waiting around to try to disprove our stories when we're busy living them? 😅
2
22
185
This is an
@artwhoring
appreciation tweet. From our first conversation where she reached out to me because we did a video together to the times I get on her Insta live, she has been a soulful, honest and stunningly beautiful person.
2
6
187
Cut to 8 years later, today my interview with
@BBCIndia
is up here -
where I speak about it all and he is busy paying people to interview his company. How's that for your "You're Dalit. I'm Brahmin. I'm better than you in all respects"?
Thank you, next.
6
18
186
Fr Stan Swamy wasn't given a sipper. He struggled with Parkinson's disease. To deny him of a sipper as his muscles became rigid and couldn't drink liquids- that's how cruel this government is. That's how petty they can be. That's how they kill your spirit. This is murder.
2
60
182
During my seventh standard in a Brahmin Admar Mutt-run school, my Civics teacher said "Dalits are dirty so people didn't touch them. That's why they are called untouchables" I went home and cleaned my entire room in one go. We cleaned up after you. Who's dirty, you spoilt fucks?
Hi.
Can you please reply or quote with your first instances of Islamophobia or casteism while you were a kid?
I am literally sick and tired of hearing that aLL tHis StArtEd 6 Yrs baCk bEfOrE tHat It wAs hEAven.
Just want few people to know the ground work was laid way before :)
179
134
478
4
28
178
But before you give ANY apology, I want to tell you what your comedy/ writing did to me. As a chile from the Dalit community, I heard you make jokes about my academic capacity, watched my friends laugh with you, was forced to make the decision to laugh at myself and my people 2/6
1
28
173
Thank you, Vijeta! :) I don't know why but my story and narrative feels stronger from within when I read you. I feel like I'm valid in this cancel culture. And I'm glad I have the chance to teach my Dalit and Bahujan students to embrace their identities, looking at you. Jai Bhim!
4
12
174
To everyone who has asked (read -told) me about how caste doesn't exist in urban areas, I tell you how I felt it, every second since an early age. I tell you so you understand today that if I speak and don't make sense to you, it's okay with me now. :)
6
38
179
I don't know how stupid this sounds but I thi k I should say it anyway-if you're kind and empathetic instead of defensive, when someone tells you how you've been hurtful to them/their community, you actually make the world better for them.
5
25
171
Gonna be so proud of myself the day I cut off completely from an unsupportive, insensitive and fuck-all friend. I'm halfway there. So, happy. Wanna go back in time and tell younger Divya who was terrified of saying "no" that she may not know but she is gonna be a boss in life.
4
5
174
Trigger warning - You'll laugh if you're Dalit; you'll stay indifferent if you've been a woke Savarna person for sometime now; you'll slap yourself if you're a suddenly woke UC now.
So many UC people with a crazy number of followers are putting out Dalit handles to follow.
4
24
173
Firstly, I think in a very fun person. Yes, I have anxiety issues and panic attacks but I don't 'suffer' from them. I have almost always found a way out of it - thanks to an extremely supportive group of family, friends and the BEST community of women.
2
3
161
You're accepting that you're accountable for the endless chain of emotional and physical violence that your 'jokes' started or continued. You turned my history, my experiences, my parents' struggle against me and made me laugh at all of this, with you, 4/6
1
20
164
But somehow, only the parts of me that seemed pitiable were picked to make me seem like a victim. I don't know how much it's the journalist's fault cause everyone tries that stunt anyway. So I'm not naming anyone. BUT I have a few things to say anyway -
2
9
156
Sorry, Ms. Arundhati Roy. No two ways to talk about caste when you're UC and you lie. :) I don't care how disappointing this is for people. I've loved Roy's writing too before. Now, after this, I see it for what it is; being very aware of the UC gaze and the silenced Dalit.
1
17
160
I'm terribly missing my Aayi. I wish she were alive today so I could make her listen to 'Enjoy enjaami' and translate it for her. She's already humming it with me in my head.
2
4
159
That's also why I don't understand how savarnas feel confident enough to speak for someone else. I've had my fair share of caste discrimination and being bullied but there's so much more to me. These have been defining but I'M NOT SOME PITIABLE PERSON. I think I'm awesome.
1
6
156
- all to escape being the victim. Your jokes were NEVER just jokes. Your jokes were words of truth to people who considered you smart, aware and just experts at everything. So, when you're apologising, you're not just apologising for your sentence. 3/6
1
17
155
Can't imagine your inboxes,
@kirubamunusamy
and
@cynstepin
akkas. But as always, you are stronger than I can imagine so sending you power all the way. 💙💙
3
6
158
Like I've said before, I'm new to Twitter, not hate. Doesn't disturb my peace of mind at all. Thanks for the love. :) Not gonna indulge the pieces of shit anymore okay? Okay. Thanks. 💙
5
2
150
There’s something liberating about being a Dalit student and studying abroad. You know your words aren’t dismissed as easily because people at least pretend to care about your opinion, but wow does it feel like home around Indians when they ignore the shit out of your opinions 🥰
2
23
152
From being someone who was too afraid to even speak up and take space, I've reached a place where I'm doing both and giving it all my courage. To know that I can even remotely make my people feel my love is the single most empowering thing. Jai Bhim to y'all. You are all mine. 💙
3
7
147
because you simply refused to learn about experiences different from yours, if you felt like they didn't benefit you. So, please know that I'm watching you as you offer an escapist apology only to close your doors and call me a 'bloody Dalit' who will always play the victim. 5/6
1
20
145
@Outlookindia
published my previously written blog 'The Dalit Teacher' online. I wrote this on a day when I was feeling especially horrible. I'll tell you what happened on the day in this thread.
6
55
143
Please think before saying anything more. If possible, please stop and think if anything in your industry or your behaviour with our people has changed, or has it just been the date? Aren't you still really just trying to be famous and doing the right things to stay that way? 6/6
1
16
139
So please don't straight jacket me and my experiences. I call myself Dalit because I'm learning to take pride in that identity now. I've been sad and I have been discriminated against but I speak to y'all about a lot many other things. Pls don't make it look like I'm in pain.
1
5
136
We don't matter. Our women don't matter. It's only in the most gruesome acts inflicted on us, that you choose to let humanity reach you. In your heads, you dissolve our community to fragment it into pieces and then pick what you like, make it your cause and fight.
2
51
136
I don't really know all of my triggers yet but I'm figuring myself out. Coming back to what I really wanna say - I'm very privileged. I always tell the journo before hand that I can't speak for a rural Dalit woman because I'm aware of how easy I've had it.
1
3
132
I’ve never seen so many Indians laugh together at the most unexpected scenes in a theater. Brahmastra was a joke, y’all. Bringing big names to the most spectacularly stupid movie ever, I don’t even know where to begin. 🙈
8
8
135
Sometimes I am angry enough to write again. This is one of those times-
11
37
135