‘Gangrene’: Shocking stories about Dalit life from the margins of the Punjabi imagination

A book titled Gangrene, published under the title Punjabi Dalit Short Stories, has sparked intense reflection on the role of caste in shaping social structures within Punjab. The anthology, compiled by Akshaya Kumar and Navdeep Singh, features 12 stories written by various authors, translated from multiple Punjabi dialects and spanning nearly five decades. These narratives explore the lives of Dalits, historically marginalized communities in India, and challenge the dominant cultural imagination centered on agrarian abundance, celebration, and historical trauma. The book's title, Gangrene, serves as a powerful metaphor for the systemic decay caused by caste-based oppression. Initially, the term evoked images of physical decay, but as readers engage with the stories, the metaphor evolves to reflect broader societal issues. The anthology highlights how caste continues to influence access to land, labor, intimacy, desire, memory, and violence, often remaining unexamined within mainstream discourse. Punjab, home to the highest proportion of Dalits among Indian states, contains histories that have long remained at the margins of public consciousness. Central to the anthology’s impact is the meticulous attention given to translation. Kumar and Singh employed an approach known as “affective translation,” aiming to capture not just the literal meaning of the texts but also their emotional and cultural contexts. This method preserves key terms such as seerie (a term for untouchability), lambardar (a local revenue collector), and zaildar (a headman), which carry deep connotations related to caste hierarchy. By maintaining these terms, the translators ensure that the stories retain their nuanced social significance. One of the opening stories, “Bathloo Chamiar” by Attarjit, illustrates the dehumanizing effects of caste. The protagonist, known by his caste name rather than his personal name, is a Dalit manual laborer who agrees to fill a roadside sinkhole for minimal pay. His acceptance of low wages reflects a deeper internalization of caste norms, where service and submission are framed as virtues. Despite being exploited, Bathloo does not perceive himself as wronged. Instead, he believes that whatever the panchayat offers is sufficient. This mindset underscores how caste can transform exploitation into a form of moral justification. When Bathloo collapses after days of hazardous labor, villagers attribute his condition to possession by a spirit rather than acknowledging caste-related violence. This tendency to invoke the supernatural instead of confronting structural injustice highlights the ways in which caste systems obscure their own harmful realities. Attarjit uses this narrative to expand the concept of gangrene, suggesting that it represents not only bodily decay but also the gradual erosion of a society’s ability to recognize its moral failings. In another poignant story, “Gangrene”, Attarjit explores the complexities of love and caste. Jagtar, a Dalit man, and Param, a woman from an oppressor caste, develop feelings for each other. They believe that education, love, and the egalitarian principles of Sikhism could bridge the divide. However, their relationship ultimately fails, revealing the persistent barriers imposed by caste. Their inability to transcend these divisions underscores the enduring nature of caste-based prejudice, even in societies that claim to uphold equality. The anthology thus presents a multifaceted portrayal of Dalit experiences, challenging the dominant narratives that often overlook or marginalize these voices. Through its careful curation and thoughtful translation, Gangrene invites readers to confront uncomfortable truths about caste and its ongoing impact on social structures in Punjab.