Syllabus: GS1/Indian History; Society
Context
- Recently, India celebrated the legacy of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar on Ambedkar Jayanti, a towering figure in India’s fight against caste-based discrimination.
| About Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956) – Born: April 14, 1891; Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, in Hindu Mahar Family. – He was the 14th child of Subedar Ramji Maloji Sakpal, a respected figure in the British Army and a follower of Sant Kabir. Education – B.A. in Economics and Political Science from Bombay University. – M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics (Thesis work: National dividend for India — A Historic and Analytical Study) from Columbia University, and furthered studies at the London School of Economics. 1. His thesis was published as ‘Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India’. Architect of the Indian Constitution – Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly – He emphasized the importance of equality, liberty, and fraternity. – He was India’s first Minister of Law and Justice 1. He resigned his ministership in 1951, expressing his differences on the Kashmir issue, India’s Foreign Policy and Nehru’s Policy towards the Hindu Code Bill. – He was conferred with the title of ‘Bodhisattva’ by the Buddhist monks at ‘Jagatik Buddhism Council’ in 1954 in Kathmandu, Nepal. Major Writings and Publications – Mooknayak (fortnightly newspaper, in 1920) – The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution (1923) – The Bahiskrit Bharat (newspaper, 1927) – Annihilation of Caste (1936) – The Untouchables: Who Are They? – Who Were the Shudras? (1942) – Thoughts on Linguistic States (1955) Economic Contributions – Ambedkar’s recommendations to the Hilton Young Commission contributed to the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India. Legal Advocacy – In 1934, he defended the All India Textile Workers Conference, highlighting flaws in the Trade Disputes Act of 1929 – His vision established a democratic framework with checks and balances among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary. – He considered the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’, enshrined in Article 32, as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Indian Constitution. Others – Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (aka Outcastes Welfare Association) in 1924 – Led the Mahad Satyagraha (1927) – Kalaram Satyagraha in Nashik (1930), a temple entry movement for the untouchables. – Formation of Independent Labour Party (1936) – Foundation of Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha (1955) Award – In 1990, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna (highest civilian honour of India). |
BR Ambedkar & ‘Annihilation of Caste’
- Origins of Annihilation of Caste: Originally written as a speech for a 1936 meeting of progressive Hindus under the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal, the address was never delivered due to its provocative content.
- Instead, Ambedkar published it himself, making it a foundational text for anti-caste thought in India.
Core Arguments of the ‘Annihilation of Caste’
- Caste as Social Tyranny: Ambedkar rejected the view that caste is merely a division of labor; instead, he saw it as a division of laborers — deeply hierarchical and oppressive.
- Critique of Hindu Scriptures: He directly attacked the sanctity of Hindu shastras, including Manusmriti, for legitimizing caste discrimination and inequality.
- Rejection of Gandhi’s Approach: Ambedkar openly criticized Mahatma Gandhi’s views on caste, especially his defense of varna (the four-fold division of society), and reforming Hinduism without discarding its texts.
- Religion as a Social Force: Ambedkar emphasized that for any real reform, Hinduism must undergo a radical transformation.
- He provocatively argued that Hindu society must ‘burn the scriptures that preach inequality’.
- Appeal for Rationality and Justice: Drawing from liberal and Enlightenment ideals, he urged Indians to abandon traditions that violate human dignity and embrace rationality, human rights, and constitutional morality.
Vision of an Ideal Society
- Liberty: It encompasses both freedom from social norms that limit one’s options and freedom from physical tyranny.
- Equality: Ambedkar pushed for the adoption of perfect equality as he thought that in order to maximize society potential, equal chances must be given from birth.
- Fraternity: Ambedkar promoted ‘social endosmosis’ or the free exchange of information across all groups, and saw brotherhood as the foundation of democracy.
Influence on Later Movements
- Dalit Panthers (1970s): It emphasized cultural assertion and resistance inspired by Ambedkar’s radicalism.
- Bahujan Samaj Party: It emerged with an explicitly Ambedkarite ideology aimed at political representation for Dalits and backward classes.
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