About BDVS

Who We Are

Bihar Dalit Vikas Samiti (BDVS) was established in 1982 as the vision of Fr. Jose Kananaikil, SJ—a scholar, activist, and visionary leader. For over four decades, BDVS has grown into a vibrant grassroots movement, championing the rights and dignity of Dalits across Bihar.

Our Inspiration

Fr. Kananaikil’s commitment to justice was shaped by his deep sociological understanding of caste-based marginalization in Bihar and further enriched by his doctoral studies in the United States. Witnessing the structural inequalities faced by Dalits, he realized that true transformation required more than charity—it demanded a bold, people-centric approach rooted in empowerment and social justice.

Our journey

Guided by this conviction, Fr. Kananaikil moved away from conventional aid models and laid the foundation for BDVS as a platform for collective action, self-determination, and leadership development. Drawing strength from the energy of Dalit youth and the resilience of marginalized communities, BDVS has been working tirelessly to bring about meaningful change at the grassroots.