The Dalit Panthers was a militant organisation of Dalit youth which was formed in Maharashtra in 1972. It was during the early 1870s when Dalit graduates living in city slums started to assert themselves from various platforms. They stood for equality and justice for Dalits, who despite having constitutional rights were facing perpetual caste inequalities and injustice.

In the post-independence era, Dalits continued to face discrimination in various ways. They were denied access to water. Dalit women were dishonoured and abused over menial issues and there were many other atrocities that Dalits had to face.

Due to inadequate legal action, Dalit panthers resorted to mass action and mobilisation to stand against these injustices. Their larger agenda was to destroy the caste system altogether and to build an organisation of all oppressed sections like the landless poor peasants along with Dalits.