Activities of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry in India: The Pursuit of Socio-Economic Change by Dalit Entrepreneurs

Abstract

This article aims to discuss the characteristics of the Dalit Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DICCI), focusing on three points: its history, the purpose of its activities, and the way in which it empowers Dalit entrepreneurs.

The DICCI is a business association that aims to support Dalit entrepreneurs, often informal sector business owners. It was founded in 2005 and currently has 26 national chapters and 7 international chapters, and a total membership of around 10,000. The DICCI argues that Dalits can improve socially and economically through capitalism and markets, and that fostering Dalit entrepreneurs will help solve their social and economic problems.

This paper suggests that the DICCI is an organization that seeks to transform caste relations and achieve dignity for Dalits. More specifically, the DICCI is developing a network of Dalit entrepreneurs by connecting Dalit entrepreneurs with each other and with entrepreneurs of other castes. It is promoting affirmative action to secure business opportunities. Moreover, it is attempting to dignify Dalit entrepreneurs by describing them as agents who transform caste relations, new role models who achieve economic uplift through entrepreneurship, and actors who contribute to the growth of the Indian economy.