Translated for the first time into English from Tamil, these essays present the characteristically honest and uncompromising views of Thirumaavalavan, the leading Dalit intellectual and elected representative of the Viduthalai Chiruthaigal or the Liberation Panthers of Tamil Nadu. He writes on caste atrocities and the upholding of the caste system, political authoritarianism and anti-democratic behaviour of elected governments, on gender issues, globalization, Tamil ethnic issues and Hindutva, always from the point of view of ordinary people. Hard-hitting, courageous, provocative, this collection shows new directions in dalit politics.