Breaking the Silence: Identity as a Vehicle for the Revival of Ambedkarite Thought in Kishor Shantabai Kale’s ‘Against All Odds’: A Critical Perspective

Abstract

This paper critically examines Against All Odds by Kishor Shantabai Kale through the theoretical framework of Ambedkarism to explore how identity is reconstructed as a form of resistance against caste-based marginalization. Born into the stigmatized Kolhati community, Kale’s autobiographical narrative is not merely a personal account but a socio-political testimony that challenges dominant discourses of purity, respectability, and cultural exclusion. The paper situates Kale’s life story within the broader context of Ambedkarite thought, particularly its emphasis on dignity, education, and the rejection of Brahminical hegemony. Drawing on cultural studies methodology, this research interrogates how Kale reclaims subjectivity through his narration—transforming inherited stigma into assertive selfhood.