Baba Saheb:The Prophet of an Egalitarian India-1
Most of us would prefer calling Dr.Ambedkar as 'The Architect of Indian Constitution,'but there are categories of Neo Buddhists,Dalit activists and most prominently the Depressed classes who would call him'Babasaheb'and look at him with a spiritual fervor. Perhaps that's what Ambedkar wants him to be called because therein lies his aspirations and accolades, therein lies his true essence...his true success...both as a leader and as a fighter.Ambedkar never dreamt of a better life for himself his dreams were lofty....He dreamed for a community for whom even dreams were a luxury...This man ,who eventually became the light in the darkened world of 'broken' men was born on April 14,1891 into the family of an 'untouchable' (currently this term is deemed to be unconstitutional and retrogressive,since the practice of untouchability was abolished under the Article-17 of Indian Constitution)community called Mahar, at Mhow in Madhya Pradesh.Though he belonged to a family where the forefathers worked in the Army of East India Company, caste marked and marred Ambedkar's identity.Little Ambedkar had to wade through the intimidating and humiliating Caste system.Caste became Ambedkar's prime adversary with which he combated throughout his life.
Ambedkar's encounter with segregation and discrimination began during his education at the Army School.Since the Upper Castes adhered to the principles of purity,pollution and sanctity,teachers were obliged to prevent the Depressed Classes from mingling with their upper caste counterparts.Mostly,these students belonging to the Lower Castes were forced to occupy the veranda.Ambedkar deemed it to be a great insult.Destiny wanted this ignited mind and ignited heart to stay in tact,so it made discrimination follow Ambedkar.But not all Brahmin teachers were cruel to him.We can never expect every story to be that of Ekalavya-Dronacharya right!Ambedkar was originally named Sakpal but he was enrolled in School as Ambadawekar (Ambavadekar-if certain sources are to be believed)which was actually the name of his village.Later his brahmin teacher-Krishnaji Keshav Ambedkar gave his surname to his favourite student.What greater blessing can he ask for...What greater gift can he give to that inspiring teacher than to be called 'the greatest scholar' by Columbia University!In 1894,His father's retirement ensued Ambedkar's shift to Satara,where the old story of segregation resumed.But Ambedkar was destined to emancipate his community.Valour comes naturally to a Mahar.The term 'Mahar' etymologically signifies Courage and Brave Spirit.During their education in Satara,Ambedkar and his brother were forced to sit on gunny bags and were demanded to take those seats home since the Peon refused to touch the belongings of 'Untouchables'.Can you imagine the humiliation which smothered his tender heart?They were not allowed access to the school taps.To quench their thirst, the peon would pour water into their mouths while making sure that the vessel wouldn't touch the mouths of these servile beings.
Ambedkar recounts this pathetic situation in his 'No Peon,No Water'.Since Ambedkar was invincible,he attempted to drink from the tap directly.As always-The fruit of transgression was bitter.Subsequently,he was beaten up black and blue.Perhaps these thrashes resonated in each of his lectures and talks which changed the face of the nation and fate of the Dalits.In 1897,Ambedkar's family shifted to Bombay.The place changed , not the situation!Ambedkar and his brother were admitted in Elphinstone School.At this point,they were denied Sanskrit Education since the brahmin teacher was not ready to tolerate Shudras in his class.Ambedkar was obliged to take Persian as second language against his will.But Sanskrit had to succumb to this intellectual not in India but in Germany where he earned a Ph.D in Indology.In 1906,Fifteen-Year-old Ambedkar married Nine-Year-old Ramabhai.Like any other wife Ramabhai supported her husband and stood by him in framing the nation.By 1907,he was able to complete his Matriculation from Elphinstone High School.Later his grit made him the greatest among the politicians,jurists,social activists,scholars etc.In 1912,he graduated in Economics and Political Science from Bombay University.
Later In 1913 he was patronized by the Gaekwad ruler of Baroda-Sahyaji Rao-III and his merit earned him a scholarship of Rs.25 per month.He judiciously used this money to pursue his higher education in the US.Subsequently,he studied Economics in Columbia University.In 1915,with the completion of his thesis on 'Ancient Indian Commmerce'he got an MA Degree.In 1916, his second MA Thesis titled 'National Dividend of India-A Historic and Analytical Study' was submitted.Later he went to London School of Economics and began framing his Doctoral Thesis 'The Problem of the Rupee:Its origin and solution.'
In 1917,he was called back to India and was informed that his scholarship was in reality,a loan and was to be repaid by working for the Gaekwad Maharaja.Meanwhile,his Doctoral Thesis was lost at Sea and he had to rewrite that once again, which he did with much determination...What a Dedication!Eventually,he went to Gujarat and worked as a Military secretary to the Gaekwad ruler.As Ambedkar asserts,"Turn in any direction you like,Caste is the monster that crosses your path."Ambedkar said this on the light of experience.His life in Gujarat was so despicable that this Demi-God of the Dalits had to leave the place disheartened.Not a human was ready to dine,talk or work with him.Besides being the greatest intellectual in Baroda,he was unduly humiliated owing to his lower birth.Since Dalits were not allowed rented houses,he managed to live there for a while under the pretension of a 'Parsi Gentleman'.Unfortunately,he was discovered and thrown out of the house.This insult was unbearable and also lifechanging.His old wish of leaving Hinduism became a resolution and made an indelible imprint on his heart.Indignant Ambedkar went back to Bombay and in 1918,worked at Sydenham College of Commerce and Economis.His insatiable craving for Knowledge took him to England in 1920.This time he flew abroad at his own expense.His marathon of collecting Degrees from London University,University of Bonn and Columbia University began once again and he became one of the first Dalit intellectuals with his Double Doctorate.This accomplishment was not his...not his alone...but was celebrated by an entire community of Depressed Class.
This immensely educated intellectual returned to India resolved to turn the entire political and social structure topsy-turvy.He fought against Caste Discrimination,Untouchability and assaults against women and Children.In 1919,he put forward certain suggestions regarding separate electorates in front of the Southborough Committee which was also called Franchise Committee.This was done in the formation of the Government of India Act-1919.Ambedkar spent sleepless nights contemplating on how to improve the situation of the Dalits.The major challenge in front of him was to educate and enlighten the Dalits regarding the vitality and inevitability of social and political reform.As a part of this edification,in 1920,with the help of Shahaji-II,the Maharaja of Kolkapur,Ambedkar started a Newspaper named 'Mooknayaka',translated as 'Leader of the Silent.'Having passed Bar Course in Gray's Inn,he began to advocate for the cause of Dalits in courts and defended many Leaders who were non brahmins.
By 1927,he began to work constantly for the Upliftment of the Dalits.He put forth demands regarding the access to public wells,the right to enter temples among other fundamental demands.Mahad Satyagraha was one of the major movements orgazined by Dr.Ambedkar to question the atrocities against Dalits.Though in 1923,Bombay Legislative Council passed a law allowing the untouchables to access public wells,schools,courts,dispensaries etc,this was not practically implemented in Mahad Municipality.As a protest against this violation Ambedkar went to Mahad and organized a meeting with the Dalits.The main motive of this conference was to educate the Depressed Classes regarding their civil rights and also to suggest the means to assert their rights.Subsequently on 20th March 1927,Ambedkar along with his followers went to Chavdar Tank and drank water from it.This is known as Mahad Satyagraha.As a part of this, Ambedkar burnt 'Manusmriti' publicly on December 25 1927.Since then 25th December is called 'Manusmriti Dahan Diwas.'Eager to know more about Babasaheb...I'll be back with much more path- breaking events in his life...Catch you on the flip side!
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-Santhwana Thomas
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