"Becoming Babasaheb" by Aakash Singh Rathore

"Becoming Babasaheb" is an ambitious biography of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar that presents the life and times of Ambedkar in the chronological order of events from his birth in 1891 until the Mahad Satyagraha in 1929 - probably the first volume of the biography to be followed by another. The biography clears up many misconceptions prevalent surrounding the actions and decisions of Ambedkar. With exhaustive research and list of references evident from the bibliography and notes at the end of the book, a lot of fact checking has gone into the writing of this book. 

This book also debates the anamolies and discrepancies put forward by other biographies of Ambedkar. Though the book articulates in detail the key events that made Ambedkar "Babasaheb" among the untouchables and marginalized, it sometimes attempts too much correcting the chronology and justification behind Ambedkar's actions that are put forth by other biographers. 

Nevertheless, this book delves deep into the political stance Ambedkar took in various occasions and how it brought about a shift in mindset of the Savarna Hindus, untouchables and the British government. The articles published by Ambedkar after the historic Mahad conference are such samples which are discussed in detail here. Ambedkar's choice of words in these articles not only urged untouchables for gaining self-respect and their readiness to fight against the inveterate beliefs, but also served as a warning to the caste Hindus and the British government on the impending battle against the denial of fundamental rights, education and basic amenities to the untouchables and the social reform acts that were not put into action.

This book is an earnest attempt that not only showers acclaims on the reforms which Ambedkar was instrumental in implementing, but also criticizes some of the decisions made by Ambedkar. The distressing events of caste inequalities that unfolded in Ambedkar's life and his painful recollection of the same are also touched upon here. 

A personality who should have been celebrated as the leader of entire country is sadly being restricted as the leader of a particular community. More such works like this might serve the purpose of portraying Dr.Ambedkar as the leader of the masses. 

Remembering Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his death anniversary!

Independence Day - Political Freedom vs Social Freedom

On the account of 77th year of Indian independence, this article is in remembrance of the freedom fighters of our country and at the same time is a reminder on the need for social freedom even today after 76 years of independence. There have been communal riots and caste-based violence in India over the past few months which made me think that there is still a long way India must travel to overthrow all forms of oppression similar to how our freedom fighters overthrew the British dominance.

There is no doubt the resilient and persistent efforts of our freedom fighters in the struggle against the 89-year British rule in India needs to be celebrated. But, the freedom of the country should mean the freedom of each individual citizen of India. The struggle for political independence finds a place in the history textbooks of schools in India. The struggle for social freedom also has a parallel history which is not reiterated enough. This struggle has been prevalent right from the pre-independence era and is still an unrealized dream. 

The constitution of India declares India as secular and deems all its citizens equal. But, the fundamental right to equality is questioned every single time when a caste-based harrassment or violence comes to limelight. The unjust hierarchical structure of caste system is deep-rooted in Indian societies, in people's beliefs and mindset. The class-based inequalities which is universal combines with the caste-based inequalities in India. The recent riots in Manipur, violence in Haryana and the caste based brutality in Nanguneri in Tamilnadu reflects the pity state of the society we live in. The penetration of this caste pride to the level that it gets carried over to the next generation is the danger our society poses.

Most of the incidents of caste based violence stem out from the unnecessary pride that the upper castes hold and the self-inflicted inferior feeling that the lower castes suffer from due to the inveterate age-old beliefs. 

Dr. Ambedkar, one of the prominent leaders India had and his writings against the social order and the social injustice stay relevant even today. Bhagat Singh, the socialist icon of India and his principles and beliefs against the class inequalities is also need of the hour. Mahatma Gandhi's non-violent struggle against the britishers and preachings on religious unity stand as a testimony to the harmony he dreamt of.

While we celebrate the history of freedom struggle and the leaders who brought about the uprising of people against the British rule, we will also acknowledge the need to carry forward the awareness about fight for social freedom. Let us unite together and be the voice against any form of oppression - be it class-based or caste-based or gender-based. 

Happy Independence day! 

Remembering Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary (Apr 14th)

Until I started reading history of Indian independence outside of the academic history text books, little did I know about a struggle that happened parallel to the struggle for political independence - the struggle for social freedom. The struggle for Indian Independence is taught in schools and is well-known to the students. Similarly, the struggle for social freedom in India has a long history. This struggle against the social structure of caste needs to be reiterated in the history books.

When our freedom fighters were fighting against the British rule in India, there were leaders who led the struggle against the caste discrimination in India. This article is in remembrance of Dr. Ambedkar, the face of social justice in India on his birth anniversary (14th April).

One news or the other surfaces everyday about the discrimination of lower castes by the hierarchically dominant castes in India. The restless and tense situation that engulfs the society in such happenings stems out of the unnecessary pride that the dominant castes hold, the unjust and unfair privileges they get from the caste system and the feeling of inferiority that the oppressed take upon themselves yielding to the age old beliefs and practices. 

The ignorance and preconceived notion around reservation needs to be cleared. The thought of taking pride in one's caste needs to be deemed unjust and how this pride impacts the mental health of fellow human beings from lower castes needs to be pointed out. The tense situation whenever there is a caste feud has its roots in ignorance and the unnecessary pride. 

Social freedom has remained a necessity in Indian societies for long and attaining that can be achieved only with the relentless upholding of Dr. Ambedkar’s principles and writings.

Dr. Ambedkar’s principles and writings teaches us to stand not just against the caste based discrimination but also against any form of discrimination - be it gender based or class based or racial discrimination. Any discrimination across the world should be dealt with uncompromisingly forthright arguments and relentless protests and campaigns.

Even today, we have his statues put behind bars at many places in India. This is the respect the society gives for the man who stood for social justice and the freedom of the oppressed. This arises from the grudge due to the unjust caste hierarchy deep-rooted in our society. 

One can pelt stones at his statues and confine them behind bars. But, there is no confinement for his principles and writings. There might be attempts to rob his revolutionary theory of its substance and convert him into a harmless icon, every attempt at it should be curtailed by propagating his principles and educating the masses about what he stood against.

Let us celebrate Dr. Ambedkar as the leader of the masses. Hereafter, let only the bars around his statues be broken, not his statues.