BABA SAHEB:THE PROPHET OF AN EGALITARIAN INDIA-2

       "EDUCATE,AGITATE AND ORGANIZE!"

Hola! It's me again...Today I'm here to resume our discussion on Baba Saheb's political struggle and personal achievements.Having acquired an awe-inspiring academic record to his credit,Dr.Ambedkar returned to India to emancipate his brethren from the clutches of the 'monster' named Caste which had been tormenting them for centuries.This Visionary was always alone...the solitude every exemplar encounters in this mediocre world.In all his efforts,Ambedkar was opposed by his contemporaries who should have been working with him shoulder to shoulder in those endeavours.The sad part of it was that the educated,progressive and the Anglicized intellectuals denied a helping hand to this Atlas who was carrying the burden of an entire community on his back.It was a time when India was in the midst of political turmoil where everyone born an Indian struggled to thwart the Colonial Forces and liberate Mother India.At this point in history Ambedkar was caught in a maze where he was obliged to choose between his nation and his community.One step to either side would decide his position as a Nationalist or an Anti Nationalist-as MSS Pandian puts it "Collaborators of British".The internal conflict (caste issues)which was Ambedkar's prime concern was considered trivial by the other Nationalist leaders who were mostly Upper Caste.

"HOW CAN A PEOPLE DIVIDED INTO THOUSANDS OF CASTES BE A NATION?"

The British leaders who were tolerant and considerate towards Ambedkar confederated with him.Since one can't unring a bell this alliance between Ambedkar and the colonizers made him the enemy of the Nationalist leaders who labelled and despised him as an Anti-Nationalist.Remember...Ambedkar's sole motive was the welfare and well being of his Untouchable Community and he was also sure that the Upper Caste Leaders will never lift a finger to annihilate caste system which was the only way towards the liberation of Dalits.Hence,through his Magnum Opus Annihilation of Caste, Ambedkar voiced the inevitability of a social reform movement.He insisted on the transformation of the entire society dominated by the upper caste.He propounded that any sort of economic and political reform would be futile without a social reformation.

"THE SOCIAL ORDER PREVALENT IN INDIA IS A MATTER WHICH A SOCIALIST MUST DEAL WITH;THAT UNLESS HE DOES SO HE CANNOT ACHIEVE HIS REVOLUTION...TURN IN ANY DIRECTION YOU LIKE,CASTE IS THE MONSTER THAT CROSSES YOUR PATH.YOU CANNOT HAVE POLITICAL REFORM,YOU CANNOT HAVE ECONOMIC REFORM,UNLESS YOU KILL THIS MONSTER."

This amity between Ambedkar and the British Government opened many avenues for Ambedkar to present various bills at The Bombay Legislative Council.Subsequently Ambedkar was able to represent Dalits in three consecutive Round Table Conferences which paved the way for many historically significant events which would have defined India for years to come.

The aforementioned Round Table Conferences were organized owing to the failure of Simon Commission.The Government of India Act of 1919 was expected to be revised in 1929,since every act was ought to be revised after ten years to assess its progress,review its benefits and if necessary,make judicious reforms thereby.But the then ruling party of Britain-The Conservative Party intended to reform the Government of India act in 1927 on account of its impending defeat in the hands of The Labour Party in the British Elections.Subsequently,a seven-membered British Panel which was in reality a Wolf in Sheep's clothing,was sent to India whose major agenda was to foster animosity among the Indians who were already divided on the basis of Caste and Religion.This Committee which was bereft of any Indian was met with agitation from the side of Indians...This is how the famous slogan "Simon Go Back!" resonated throughout Indian Subcontinent.These protests from Indians were counteracted by sheer violence from the Britishers and Indians lost their illuminous Lala Lajpat Rai.Mahatma Gandhi the propagator of 'Ahimsa' started the Civil Disobedience Movement.

As expected the Labour Party came to power in 1929 and organized a series of Round Table Conferences where the Indian Nationalist leaders and the delegates from Britain could negotiate the constitutional reforms and eventually revise the Government of India Act.Though the Round Table Conferences failed to make any substantial impact,the Prime Minister-McDonald created a stir in Indian Politics by granting a Communal Award whereby the minority classes including Dalits and Muslims were given separate electorates.This Communal Award was announced in 1932 during the Second Round Table Conference where Dr.Ambedkar represented the Dalits.Ambedkar strongly advocated for this 'McDonald Award' resulting in Gandhiji's utmost resentment.This is the biggest among many conflicts the duo had.Gandhiji staunchly opposed the Communal Award for Dalits on the grounds that it would create a rift in Hinduism since he considered Dalits to be an inextricable part of Hinduism.While Ambedkar who publicly criticized Hinduism never agreed that Dalits belonged there-which,in his opinion,thrived on their oppression.He was so tormented over this plight of his fellow men that at a dire moment his anguish made an outcry which goes...

"GANDHIJI,I HAVE NO HOMELAND,NO UNTOUCHABLE WORTH THE NAME WILL BE PROUD OF THIS LAND."

Later Gandhiji advocated for the removal of all sorts of Separate Electorates as he deemed it to be the British game plan of 'Divide and Rule.'But some scholars argue that Britishers only tried to cash in on the favourable circumstances,since Indians were already divided.Though Gandhiji's argument was potent enough to subvert Ambedkar's,this man who was the incarnation of grit and determination seldom yielded.Thus Gandhiji went on a fast-unto-death which placed an undue pressure on Ambedkar.Eventually,Ambedkar had to fall by the wayside and signed the Poona Pact.This pact was on an even keel since both of the leaders agreed to the provision of Joint Electorate.

           Religion had always been a matter of debate between the Grey Headed Wisdom and the young blood.Gandhiji considered ' Bhagavat Gita' as his spiritual Dictionary while Ambedkar deemed Vedas as a 'worthless set of Books.'Most part of Gandhiji's ethos was derived from Hinduism so he advocated the greatness of Sanatana Dharma.Having said this,Gandhiji was never a fanatic but rather walked towards communal harmony.Initially Bapuji was against inter-dining and inter caste marriages but he became progressive in due course by agreeing to the inter-caste marriages of his two sons.On the other hand,Ambedkar asserted that Caste System is a part and parcel of Hinduism and till Caste system prevails there will be an outcaste.Therefore,Hinduism can never bring forth the emancipation of Dalits by annihilating caste system.Hence he exhorted Dalits to renounce Hinduism and embrace Buddhism.No wonder...Orthodox Bapuji and Radical Baba Saheb never looked eye to eye.Having been arm twisted in doing many acts against his principles Dr.Ambedkar lost faith in the Father of our Nation and his religion.In 1935 ,agitated and frustrated Ambedkar publicly announced his avowed intent to leave Hinduism.

"IT WAS NOT MY FAULT I WAS BORN AN UNTOUCHABLE.BUT I AM DETERMINED I WILL NOT DIE A HINDU."

In 1936,He organized a political party called Independent Labour Party.In the following year,this party contested in 117 seats in the Provincial Elections.This was the first Provincial Election which had taken place after the Government of India Act of 1935.This Act -The biggest outcome of the Round Table Conferences was a quantum leap towards Indian Independence.Ambedkar had a discerning eye in making solidarities among the Labourers,women and Dalits...All of whom are subalterns in one way or the other.Ambedkar devoted the entire 1930s for the welfare of labourers especially the Textile Mill Workers.In 1937,Ambedkar was elected to Bombay Legislative Assembly.He was made the Labour Member on the Viceroy's Executive Council in 1942.Shortly after,he found All India Scheduled Castes Federation which was inspired by America's National Association for the Advancement of Coloured People and thus drew parallels between Racism and Casteism.This path was followed by Namdeo Dhasal and his allies when they came up with the radical Ambedkarite Organization-Dalit Panthers which was modelled on the Black Panthers Party which intended to combat racial discriminations against Afro-Americans. 

1946,Baba Saheb was elected as the Member of Constituent Assembly and in 1947,Article-17 was passed abolishing Untouchability.In the same year Ambedkar became the Chairman of Drafting Committee of Indian Constitution.His historical speeches regarding the Indian Constitution was delivered in November,1949.On 26th January,1950,Indian Constitution came into force.Eventually he became India's First Law Minister in the Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.He put forward the path-breaking Hindu Code Bill which would have refined the entire Hindu marriage ,property and inheritance laws.Baba Saheb who was always on his back foot lost the game and he resigned his position as the Law Minister.In 1948,Dr.Ambedkar married his doctor Sharda Kabir(Known as Savita Ambedkar) who was almost two decades junior to him.

"BUDDHISM IS BASED ON REASON.THERE IS AN ELEMENT OF FLEXIBILITY IN IT NOT FOUND IN OTHER RELIGIONS."

From 1950 Ambedkar turned towards Buddhism and found a new sect of Buddhism called Navayana.Having resolved to leave Hinduism Ambedkar intended to accept Christianity,Sikhism and Islam but Gauthama Buddha, whom Ambedkar considered as the first to rebel against Hindu Orthodoxy ,attracted him and eventually Ambedkar along with his wife and followers converted to Buddhism.Nirvana meant no enlightenment for Ambedkar who visioned an enlightened society with liberty,equality and fraternity.On December 6,1956-Dr.Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar...our Baba Saheb who was the guiding light of Dalits, unparalleled in wisdom,unrivalled in grit,unequivocal in greatness left the world and attained what his followers called Maha Pari Nirvan-'The Great Ultimate Enlightenment.'Though Ambedkar is not with us today,his teachings reverberate through each and every corner of India. His followers-The Ambedkarites carry his legacy proudly and are riding high!

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-Santhwana Thomas