Bama, in her book "Karukku", vividly explains the social discrimination faced by her community. The book is a memoir of her childhood experiences and the challenges she faced as a Dalit girl in Tamil Nadu.

First Encounter with Discrimination

Bama's first encounter with discrimination was when she was a child and attended a school in her village. In the school, the Dalit children were made to sit separately from the other children. She felt humiliated and ashamed of her identity. She didn't understand why she was being treated differently from other children.

Discrimination in the Church

Bama also experienced discrimination in the church. She was not allowed to enter the church, and she was made to stand outside while the others were worshiping. The Dalits' place of worship was separate from the others.

Discrimination in the Village

The discrimination was not limited to schools or churches. Bama also faced it in her village. The Dalits had to live outside the village, and they were not allowed to use the village well or the temple. They were not allowed to wear shoes in the village or walk on the village streets. Bama felt that the village was not her home, and she did not belong there.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Bama first encountered social discrimination when she was a child attending school. She experienced it in various places, including the school, the church, and her village. Her memoir "Karukku" documents her experiences and sheds light on the challenges faced by the Dalit community in Tamil Nadu.