With the rise of `marginal discourse', Dalits, Blacks and women have been frequently and prominently discussed in literature. It is no more a secret that Dalits in India and Blacks in America and elsewhere have been the most exploited, subjugated and oppressed classes. More so, women of these classes, by virtue of their gender, are even worse victims as they suffer double marginalization because of their class/caste/race and gender. The literatures across the globe are full of the images of women who have suffered due to their caste/race and gender. This paper discusses the images of women in Hindi and African American literatures that are culturally divergent, yet same in essence and attitude. By juxtaposing the two, the paper seeks to highlight the prevalence of certain maladies despite all sorts of cultural differences.

It is not difficult to recognize a certain parallel between blacks in America and Dalits in India. Because of the atrocities heaped upon them, they never feel welcome to the land they are living in. They have been subjected to certain kinds of ideologies of the dominant groups—Brahmins in India and Whites in America, which pushed them to the margin and labeled them as `inferior Others'. More so, the condition of women has been even worse as they are subjected to double marginalization—being both women and dalit. There is a plethora of literature available on Dalits in India and Blacks in America, and there are a number of scholars who have attempted comparative studies as well. In his article, "Afro-Dalits of the Earth, Unite!" Vijay Prasad introduces a project under the same name where a number of scholars are working to posit a common origin for Dalit and Africans as a means to call for political solidarity. Kapoor in his article, "B R Ambedkar, W. E. B. DuBois and the Process of Liberation" draws a parallel between the writings of the two as both sought a way out to liberate their long oppressed peoples.

Aston (2001) in his book, Dalit Literature and African American Literature: Literature of Marginality explored how Dalit and African American writers have expressed their protest against the established order of society through their writings. They found the society of both the countries discriminating on the basis of caste, color and religion. These writers propose a Utopian society that values the principles of liberty, equality and fraternity. No one has so far attempted to ameliorate the condition of women across the cultures. The present paper explores the condition of women as portrayed in Indian Hindi Dalit literature and African American literature and puts them in the wide arena of both the societies.

English Studies Journal, Hindi Dalit, African American Literature, Cross Cultural Survey, Double Marginalization, Utopian Society, Stereotypical Images, Sexual Gratification, Societal Resources, Female Infanticide, Educational Development, Dalit Families, Joint Family System, Brahminic Ideology, Dalit Literature, Socioeconomic Exploitation, Patriarchal Society.