Dissent, originally published as 'Ethiru' in Malayalam, is the true-to-life depiction of the early struggles of M. Kunhaman and his steady rise as a noted Social Scientist in the country. Born in a tiny hamlet in the Dalit community of Palakkad, Kerala, facing harrassment from a dominant section of the society, growing up, Kunhaman led a life of a series of everyday struggles. Nonetheless, at a time when children going to School itself was a rarity in his community, Kunhaman not only went to School but also followed his Mother's advice "to be the best in whatever he did", and went on to become a brilliant academician, achieving the First rank for M.A. followed by a Doctoral degree in Economics. Beginning his career with the University of Kerala, he became a Member of the UGC and later, joined as Professor of Economics at the prestigious Tata Institute of Social Sciences. "The complexities of this mind-set may not be comprehensible to non-Dalits. The intensity of the situation can be fathomed only through personal experience." -K. Venu (from the Preface) This account of the grit and determination with which Kunhaman overcame his circumstances is sure to be an inspiration to many.