The year I took admission in LSR the cutoff was 97.25 for Econ. And general category students of EVERY department questioned our merit. I can only imagine how entitled and alienating this year's batch is going to be and it's making me angry and also worried for young dalit women.

They said "SC-ST students ko dimag nahi hota hai. Isliye private company unko hire nahi karti hai." We shared rooms, mess, corridors with those who said or agreed with such statements and those who wanted us to fit into their definition of Dalits by not wearing good clothes.

In response to this, we formed support group, wrote about the discrimination, held discussions and said it out loud that we won't fit into their definition of Dalits. All of this helped us a lot. Do share this with upcoming batch if you know anyone- form a group and be very loud!

Tell upcoming batch of young dalit women to write on all notice boards which make them feel not belonged-

You own that space, you aren't invisible, and you will be very loud in class, in hostel, in cafe, everywhere! All of them owe you respect, you demand it and take it!

@deeksha_rahul and I were neighbors in the hostel and she is the most important reasons I didn't quit the college. We still talk about the audacity of those women who use to come to our rooms to make us feel unwanted.