AMBEDKARISM

RELEVANCE IN PRESENT INDIAN

SOCIETY.
Indian history is a witness to the fact that there was sharp conflict between
two sections of Indian society. The self proclaimed Upper caste (the
oppressors) and forcibly labeled low caste (the oppressed). From time
immemorial there had been tremendous efforts from social reformers, saints
and so on for the upliftment of these oppressed people. The exercise
remained futile every time. Single handed struggle by one man whom we call
Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar tilted the wave of favor towards the
oppressed. Pre-independence and ensuing Independence they looked
unhealthy, unaccepted & unwanted in the society and fearful, living the life
of Animals.

The situation changed during the period from 1956 to 1978. But they
were still weak, selectively accepted in the society, concept of unwanted
fading away and fear allying slowly & steadily. Broken People started
crawling.

From 1978 to the Dawn of 21st Century, they are moderately healthy,
accepted under compulsions, wanted very much in every sphere of life and
they are selectively fearful especially towards country side. Every endeavor
must be directed towards making 21st as CENTURY OF AMBEDKARISM for
attainment of real human values.

How all that happened

India began its journey towards modernity and prosperity after independence
by adopting Ambedkars Constitution in principle. Indian constitution, the
most comprehensive and wonderful document provides socialist idea based
on Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Everything attributed to one and only the
intellectual giant among giants, for some a humbug, the architect of modern
India, Dr. Bhim Rao Ramji Ambedkar whom his followers call Babasaheb. He
made not only Indian Social Order more specifically Brahminical Social Order
upside down but tilted it towards the erstwhile Untouchables, constitutionally
SC,ST,OBCs and socially known as Dalitbahujans of today. For doing so used
various ways and means and finally settled for getting it through law. This
can be well imagined from the pre-amble to the constitution of India:

We the people of India having solemnly resolved to constitute India into a

SOVEREIGN, SOCIALIST, SECULAR, DEMOCRATIC, REPUBLIC and to
secure to its citizens:
Justice-social, economic & political
Liberty- of thought, expressions, belief, faith & worship
Equality- of status & opportunity
Fraternity- assuring dignity of the individuals
and the unity & integrity of the Nation.

This paved the way for present Indian society though partially transforming
into the society based on principles of LIBERTY!EQUALITY!!FRATERNITY!!!
from graded inequality. Ambedkars thoughts of various aspects of human
civilization like Social, Religious, Economic, Cultural and Political are of
paramount importance for not only the overall development Dalitbahujans
but whole of the Indian society.

AMBEDKARITE THOUGHTS
Social thoughts:
He said, Every man should have a philosophy of life, for everyone
have a standard by which to measure his conduct. Negatively I
reject the Hindu social philosophy propounded in the Bhagwat
Geeta based as it is on, on the triguna of the Sankhya philosophy
which is in my judgment a cruel perversion of the philosophy of
Kapila, and which had made the caste system and the system of
graded inequality the law of Hindu social life. Positively my social
philosophy may be said to have been enshrined in three words-
Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Let no one; however, say that I have
borrowed my philosophy from the French Revolution. I have not. My
philosophy has roots in religion and not in political science. I have
derived them from the teachings of my master, the Buddha. In his
philosophy, liberty and equality had a place; but he added that
unlimited liberty destroyed equality and absolute equality left no
room for liberty. In his philosophy, law had a place only as a
safeguard against the breaches of liberty and equality; but he did
not believe that law can be a guarantee for breaches of liberty or
equality. He gave the highest place to fraternity as the only real
safeguard against the denial of the liberty or equality or fraternity
which was another name for brotherhood or humanity, which was
again another name for religion.

While Speaking in All India Conference of the Depressed Classes on 18 th-19th

July 1942, he said, My final words of advice to you is Educate, Agitate
and Organize; have faith in yourself. With justice on our side, I do
not see how we can lose the battle. The battle to me is a matter of
joy. He further added, For ours is a battle not for wealth or for
power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for reclamation of
human personality. In the same conference while addressing the women
he said, I measure the progress of the community by the degree of
progress which women have made. I am happy and convinced that
you have made progress. Learn to be clean. Keep from vice. Give
education to your children. Instill ambition into them. Inculcate in
their mind that they are destined to be great. Remove from them all
the inferiority complex. Do not be in a hurry to marry. Marriage is a
liability. You should not impose it upon your children unless they are
financially able to meet the liabilities arising from the marriage.
Those who will marry have to keep in mind that to have too many
children is a crime. The paternal duty lies in giving each child a
better start than its parents had. Above all every girl who marries,
stands by her husband, claims to be husbands friend and equal and
refuse to be his slave. I am sure if you follow this advice, you will
bring honor and glory to yourself.

Religious Thoughts:
While speaking in Untouchables Youth Conference at Dadar, Bombay on 30-
31st May 1936, Dr. Ambedkar said, The Hindus Religion does not appeal
to my conscience. It does not appeals to my self-respectI tell
you religion is for man and not man for religion. He once said,
Religion is not a means to earn wealth and fame. It is a precious
possession of an individuals mind and to be used only for achieving
mental peace and alleviating the sufferings of society. While
deliberating on Hinduism his thoughts were- If I am disgusted with
Hindus and Hinduism, it is because I am convinced that they cherish
wrong ideals and live a wrong social life. My quarrel with Hindus
and Hinduism is not over the imperfection of their social conduct. It
is much more fundamental. It is over their ideals. He rightly justified
his thoughts while saying, The religion that does not recognize you as
human being or give you water to drink, or allow you to enter the
temple is not worthy to be called a religion. The religion that forbid
you to receive education and come in the way of your material
advance is not worthy of appellation religion. The religion that does
not teach its followers to show humanity in dealing with its co-
religionists is nothing but display of force. The religion that asks its
adherents to suffer the touch of human beings is not religion but
mockery. The religion which precludes some classes from education,
forbids them to accumulate wealth and bear no arms is not religion
but a mockery. The religion that compels the ignorant to be ignorant
and poor to be poor is not religion but visitation.
 He wanted that Hindu religion must be reformed and made the religion
of humanity deleting the concept of graded inequality. But it could not
happen in his life time. He declared in frustration on 13 th October 1935 at
Yeol, Unfortunately I was born a Hindu. It was beyond my powers to
prevent that, but I solemnly assure you that I will not die as a
Hindu. It took him almost two decades (22 years) to decide which way he
shall go. He studied Islam, Christianity as well as Sikhism and ultimately
settled for conversion to Buddhism- the religion of Wisdom with scientific
basis.

His thoughts on why he adopted Buddhism were- (i) Buddhism

means casteless society based on equal rights. Hinduism on the
other hands is based on caste system; a system which encourages
aloofness, inequality and exploitation. (ii) Hinduism believes in God.
Buddhism has no God. Hinduism believes in soul. According to
Buddha there is no soul. Hinduism believes in Chaturavarna and
caste system. Buddhism has no place for the caste system and
Chaturavarna.

He also said, I prefer Buddhism because it gives three

principles in combination which no other religion does. All other
religion are bothering themselves with God and Soul and life after
death. Buddhism teaches PRAJANA (Understanding as against
superstition & supernaturalism). It teaches KARUNA (Love) and
SAMATA (Equality). This is what man wants for a good and happy life
on the earth. These three principles of Buddhism make their appeal
to me.

Ultimately when he converted to Buddhism because of its reasoning,

morality, liberty, equality and fraternity, he planned to-

1. Produce a Buddhist Bible.

2. To make changes in the organization as well as to set
aims & objectives of Bhikkhu Sangha.
3. To set up World Buddhist Mission.

Political thoughts:
Dr. Ambedkar was advocate of Democratic norm to run the country and he
wanted that due representation must be given to the majority community i.e
Depressed classes. During second Round Table conference he said,The
organization of Hindu society is such that in it there is no place for
equality and freedom which are essential for democratic life. Unless
the power of government is handed over into the hands of Indians
and unless that power reaches the hands of those who have been
suffering and exploited for centuries, their economic sufferings and
social disability cannot be put to an end. -2nd RTC

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was of the firm belief that Democracy on the earth
is the best governing principle of human relationship. He wanted his people
to strive along with other communities/countries to maintain the basis of
democratic civilization. He opined-if Democracy dies it will be their
Doom. Ultimately he gave political message to his people-Political power
is the key to all social progress and the Scheduled castes can
achieve their salvation if they capture this power by organizing
themselves into a third party and holding the balance of power
between the rival political parties congress and socialists.

Why Dr. Ambedkar Retaliated against Indian

Social Order:
From amongst many short comings of Hindu religion he viewed
following very seriously and opposed them tooth and nail and
ultimately succeeded up to greater extent in the later days.
1. Religion as source of caste/varna system
2. Religion dominates over caste relations
3. Only a Brahmins can become the priest.
4. All the oppressed and women were barred from occupying any post of
authority and penalty if they do so.
5. Burning alive of the widows.
6. Female infanticide as a part of religious practice.
7. Inter-caste dinning and inter-caste marriages prohibited.
8. Caste does not change with change in economic condition.
9. Upper castes deceive the oppressed castes by uttering socialist
slogans and promising socialism.
10. No wages to labourers, they had to work for a handful of cooked
food.

And ultimately he said, History bears out the proposition

that political revolution have always been preceded by
social revolution. Social reforms in India have successful
revolution it is not enough that there is discontent. What
is required is profound and thorough conviction of the
justice, necessity and importance of political and social
rights.
AMBEDKARISM FROM REVIVAL TO
SURVIVAL
Ambedkar died on 6th December 1956 with lot of unfinished work on social,
religious and political fronts. Followers and close associates of Babasaheb
Ambedkar failed to bring Babasaheb Ambedkars Principles and Thoughts
close to masses at an appropriate time. Babasaheb Ambedkars work and
ideology remained in dormant stage for too long. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar
used to be viewed as Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee and anti-
congress depressed classes leader. He used to be viewed by educated SCs
as the person who provided reservation to SC/STs in the constitution of
India, the number was not too big. This educated lot never tried to explore
the true life of Babasaheb. Babasaheb Ambedkars achievements have been
made to restrict up to the extent of Dalits savior and constitutionalist. Even
initially Indian intelligentsia and media refused to accept him anything above
Chairman of constitution drafting committee. Slowly and steadily everybody
came to know that Babasaheb single handily drafted constitution of India and
hence started labeling him as Father of Indian Constitution. Now the
Governments of the day are in fact projecting Babasaheb as the Father of
Indian Constitution in various advertisements published through Ministry of
Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. People have
deliberately/ignorantly not touched his authority on Ancient history (both
Indian and world), Economic thoughts, knowledge of Sociology and various
social reform movements, knowledge of Psychology and so on. The hard
work he put on emancipation of Indian women through Hindu Code Bill, labor
laws (Minimum wages Act 1946), Registration of trade unions, ESI, Maternity
leave and Workmans Compensation Act (WCA) has also not been highlighted
in desired manner. Hence ultimately Ambedkar and his thoughts have been
made to restrict up to Dalits savior and Father of Indian Constitution. Few
years back University Grants commission has given status of Epoch thinkers
of India to Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, others are Buddha, Gandhi and
Nehru.

Thanks are due to late Kanshi Ram for making people to understand
the real Ambedkar and the phenomenon called Ambedkarism. Kanshi Ram
gathered SC/ST/OBC/Minority Community Employees under one banner of
BAMCEF. A thorough search started of Indian history, Dalit history and
Babasahebs struggle as well as struggle of other Dalit social reformers
through BAMCEF. Babasahebs name was made a household phenomenon
not only amongst Dalits but upper caste too. Provoked by BAMCEF-DS4-BSP
movement, late V.P. Singh led central government conferred Bharat Ratna
on this greatest intellectual Giant in 1991. After 1991 a long list of political
outfits, social organizations both Non-Dalit as well as Dalit started almost
preaching Babasaheb Ambedkar. Even some sharp intellectual brains used
Dr. Ambedkars name for commercial activities of varied nature. Thanks for
making Ambedkar a household phenomenon also must go to Mr. J. B. Bansod,
a Nagpur based Advocate, who fought a long battle to make public the
literature of Babasaheb Ambedkar. The part of literature has ultimately been
made public by Maharashtra government in the name of Writing & Speeches
of Babasaheb Ambedkar in 24 volumes. The work in this regard started in
1981 and from 1986 the Maharashtra Government is continuously publishing
Writings and Speeches of Babasaheb Ambedkar. It has been learnt that for
last 2-3 years Maharashtra Government has stopped reprinting already
published volumes of Writings and Speeches of Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Today Ambedkarism (Principles and Thoughts of Ambedkar) has

become a phenomenon to reckon with. Babasaheb Ambedkar is amongst
very few intellectuals whose literature is studied and debated quite a lot. A
lot of work is being done on Ambedkarite thoughts, world over. In spite of a
lot of debate and work going on in this direction, it is unfortunate that
Babasahebs slogans are being uttered wrongly, his life being misquoted and
his achievements underrated especially by upper caste lead Indian media. A
lot is being debated on the life and mission of Babasaheb Ambedkar but
somewhere every time a rationalistic view point is missing. So let the
endeavor be small but realistic and rationalistic so that we could do justice
with Ambedkars Life and Mission.

What is Ambedkarism?
Ambedkarism is basically the ideology based on Principles and Thoughts of
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. If we see it through Dalits interest, its essence is hiding
in three words- EDUCATE! AGITATE!! ORGANISE!!! That ultimately revolves
around emancipation of SC/ST/OBCs in terms of social, educational and
economic aspects. That ultimately shall give self-respect and self-
empowerment to Dalit-bahujans. Ambedkarite ideology in broader
prospective means LIBERTY! EQUALITY!! FRATERNITY!!! , that directly
challenges Indian Social Order whose sufferers are the majority of this
country including women. While telling ways and means to achieve all above
he had to be proactive, harsh/hard, and controversial too. Ambedkars
truthful thoughts and challenge to the Indian social Order made him
controversial in the eyes of upper caste, whereas erstwhile untouchables
(now Dalits) viewed him as their savior. It is the basic nature of humanity
that every ideology that favors one sect of society and disfavors other
becomes controversial and eye sore for those against whom it is directed.
This is also true of Ambedkarism. The Ambedkarite thoughts and actions not
only challenged the Indian social order but also made it upside down favoring
the depressed ones. That is why there are both accepters and rejecters of
this ideology. If the followers of this ideology will not work for its spread and
safety, the opponents will make it to lose its essence, as has happened with
Buddhism and Bhakti movement of India.

Why the Question arises?

1. What happened to Buddhism? : Annals of Indian history reveal that at
one time Indian culture was nothing but conflict between Hinduism and
Buddhism. Hinduism was based on inequality and self contradictions,
whereas Buddhism was based on equality and wisdom. When it
became threat to Hinduism, the Brahminical ideology finished it slowly
and steadily by infiltration, force and treachery. Added to it is the irony
that in spite of the fact that Buddha never believed in rebirth and
incarnations, the Brahminical treachery has already declared Buddha
as the ninth incarnation of Vishnu (Varha Purana) and twentieth
incarnation (Bhagwat Purana), under a well thought conspiracy.
2. What happened to Bhakti movement? : Dalit-Bahujan saints (all with
Budhist ideology) the trio of Namdev-Raidass-Kabir, assisted by
Trilochan, Sadna, Sain etc were the leaders of the Bhakti movement in
India. When upper caste lead by Brahmins noticed the Wisdom of these
saints especially Raidass and Kabir, they started labeling them as
disciples of Ramanand (a Brahmin). Ramanand was declared as
frontline saint leading Bhakti movement. Raidass and Kabir challenged
Brahminical supremacy, customs and traditions. They preached liberty,
equality and fraternity. The caste Hindus conspired and managed to kill
both Raidass and Kabir one after the other. Thanks are due to fifth Sikh
Guru Arjan Dev ji who got compiled the Vanis of these great Saints in
Adi-Granth. But they also designated them as Bhagats rather than
proclaiming them as Gurus which in fact they were. The vanis of these
great saints was got brahminised in a well planed manner. The
teachings that were basically based on revolutionary thoughts were
painted with false beliefs, theory of Karama-Kanda, Bhagya-Bhagwan.
The Dalits for too long and still are made to believe in the Philosophy of
Karma-Kanda and Bhagya-Bhagwan, the theory vehemently opposed
by our socio-religious thinkers including the Dalit-Bahujan saints.
3. What happened with Shiva?: The Tribal/Anaryan God was incorporated
in the trinity of Hindu Gods. It was all under compulsion, as Shiva was
vociferous, versatile and volatile. The Shiva was basically the lord of
 thieves, robbers, and dacoits. He was the King of degraded, of potters
and blacksmiths. A non-vedic, non-Aryan God who was opposed to the
idea of Yajanas and Ahimsaka has been projected reverse of this
ideology in the available Indian history. First they got him married with
a beautiful Aryan Girl Parvati and later he was forced to enter into
bandwagon of the Hindu Gods. Today there are more worshippers of
Vishnu (Ram and Krishan) than Shiva. Moreover there are so called
nine/ten incarnations of Vishnu and none of Shiva, as they are afraid of
the true ideology of Shiva- Destructor of the evil thoughts that
basically is thought challenging graded inequality i.e todays Hinduism.
They slowly and steadily degraded Shiva below Vishnu. In one of the
picturesque Shiva receives water on his head that flows from foot of
Vishnu.
Threat to Ambedkarism:
Dalits Contribution:
1. There are so many NGOs in the name of Babasaheb Ambedkar in India
and abroad also. Unfortunately real thoughts of Babasaheb Ambedkar
are not reaching to the masses in desired manner. The NGOs are more
interested in minting money from the Government exchequer rather
than spreading the real message of Ambedkar.
2. The Neo-intelligentsia from amongst Dalits especially Bureaucrats,
Doctors, Engineers etc are least concerned and least bothered about
the importance of Ambedkarism that basically is their savior. They
relate Ambedkar with reservation only. They are busy enjoying their
pseudo status in the society. Added to it is the fact that they are not at
all telling their children about Ambedkar and other social reformers of
Dalit society. Ironically most of them even themselves do not know
about Ambedkar beyond reservation. In some cases they have even
started hiding their caste also and marrying their children in upper
caste Hindus.
3. The Neo-pseudo rich culture in Dalits who have earned a lot after
getting benefits of reservation is also a big threat to the survival of
Ambedkarite thoughts. This class within caste in fact could have
worked for spread of Ambedkarite thoughts but they are busy enjoying
pseudo rich culture and are transferring same to their children. They
are not allowing their children to struggle in life, they make things easy
for their children. In fact they are not aware of the future implications
of this fast emerging phenomenon of neo-pseudo rich culture. They
shirk from discussing plight of their caste and their forefathers in front
of their children.
4. Labeling Ambedkar as Mahar/Chamar and their leader. We witnessed
this phenomenon in the initial stages of launch of BAMCEF. We have
heard people saying-Why to put the photo of a Chamar in our house.
 Due to lack of knowledge they view Ambedkar as Chamar only. The
caste divide will not be good for survival of Ambedkarism. Babasaheb
when struggled he never struggled for Mahars but he struggled for
Untouchables as a whole. Why divide our savior on the lines of caste
within caste.
5. Worshipping Ambedkar as deity (Pseudo-Ambedkarism). Babasaheb
Ambedkar himself said that his real death will be on the day people
start worshipping him and garlanding his photo/statues. If we make
Babasaheb to stand in the lines of Hindu deities it will be contradiction
to the philosophy of Babasaheb Ambedkar.
6. Ambedkarism not being transferred to the next generation. None
amongst us even those who consider themselves as true Ambedkarite
are telling their children regarding Babasaheb Ambedkar and his
struggle for us. If the next generation is not made to understand
Ambedkar and the Ambedkarism than Ambedkarism will remain
restricted up to library racks only.
7. Less takers of social ideology. Commercialization/economic growth in
competitive market has made our people to think on those lines only.
There are hardly any takers of social ideology. The Dalit social ideology
is basically agitational in nature, needs lot of sacrifices in terms of time
and money. Many a times one has to forget about his house and family.
There are hardly any dedicated individuals who can come forward and
carry this mission ahead on daily basis.
8. Social ideology in isolation. Not linked with religious and spiritual
ideology whose takers are much more than social ideology. It has been
seen that Religious/spiritual ideology is overshadowing social ideology.
This is a pan Indian phenomenon that more and more Dalits are
adopting some kind of sprituo-religious philosophy including philosophy
of our own saints/revolutionaries. There is no second thought that pure
spiritual philosophy weakens the human mind. A weak mind cannot
think in terms of social revolution what Dalits actually need.
Upper Caste Contribution:
1. Projecting wrongly the ideology of Ambedkar.
2. Projecting Ambedkar as the leader of Dalits only.
3. Indian Media, politicians, intellectuals including historians downplayed
the role of Babasaheb in shaping modern India. They never kept Dr.
Ambedkar in the line of Gandhi, Nehru.

AMBEDKARS WARNING-IF THE

SOCIO,ECONOMIC,POLITICAL ASPIRATIONS OF
THE DALITBAHUJANS NOT MET:
While debating in the Constituent Assembly on 25-11-1949, Dr. Ambedkar said, Would
India, becoming an independent country on the 25 th January 1950, be able to retain its
independence, having been adept in the art of losing its independence and that too
by the infidelity and treachery of some of its own people? Will history repeat itself? It
is this thought that fills me with anxiety.
He went on adding, Would India, becoming a democratic country on the 26 th January
1950, be able to maintain its democratic Constitution or will she lose it again, as India
has the democratic system in its ancient republics and its Buddhist Bikshu Sanghas
and of loosing that democratic system. This democratic system India lost. Will she
lose it second times?
He cautioned, It is quite possible in a country like India that there is a danger of
democracy giving place to dictatorship. It is quite possible for this new born
democracy to retain its form but give place to dictatorship in fact.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was of firm belief that that two basic deficiencies in the
Indian Society i.e the complete absence of equality and deficiency in recognition of the
principle of fraternity shall be biggest hindrance in achieving the Justice, Liberty, Equality,
Fraternity for unity and integrity of the Indian Union. So he warned in Constituent Assembly
its self, On the 26th January 1950, we are going to enter into the life of contradictions.
In politics we will be recognizing the principle of one man one vote & one vote one
value. In our social and economic life, we shall by reasons of our social and
economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value. How long
shall we continue to live the life of contradictions? How long shall we continue to
deny equality in our social and economic life? If we continue to deny it for long, we
shall be putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction
at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from inequality will blow up
the structure of political democracy which this Assembly has so laboriously built
up.
In the backdrop of Naxalites movements, Kashmir problem and other unrest that is
increasing each passing day in India, we can well imagine the relevance of the above
remarks of this great intellectual Giant, one of the six best brains in the world history vis a.

I conclude with the remarks that while deliberating Ambedkar & his
phenomenon we must try to put a realistic and rationalistic view of the
Principles and Thoughts of Babasaheb Ambedkar to the masses. We also
must endeavor to carry forward Ambedkarism to the generation next by
adopting ways and means for the same.
 Ambedkarite methods has to be applied to present day conditions to
give political power in the hands of majority, that shall be annihilating the
Caste by virtue of socio-educational-economic upliftment of the majority.
So let us dedicate and devote 21 st century to this great intellectual
Giant for achievement of LIBERTY!EQUALITY!!FRATERNITY!!! for long
lasting peace and prosperity for mankind.

Dr. Sanjay Kumar Bhasin

37-New Company Bagh Canal Road, Jammu.
J&K. (180001)
sanjaykbhasin@yahoo.co.in
Mob: 0191-41891.