The Marginalization of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Political Conspiracies and the Call to Uphold His Legacy

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a towering figure in India’s socio-political landscape, played a pivotal role in shaping modern India through his relentless fight for social justice and equality. Despite his unparalleled contributions, Ambedkar faced systematic exclusion from the political mainstream, orchestrated by dominant political entities and Brahmanical elites. This article examines the evidence of such marginalization and calls upon Dalits and other oppressed groups to honor and uphold Ambedkar’s legacy.

Congress's Strategic Marginalization

The Indian National Congress (INC), despite its public claims of inclusivity, systematically sidelined Ambedkar. A significant example is the Poona Pact of 1932, where Ambedkar’s demand for separate electorates for Dalits was undermined by Mahatma Gandhi’s hunger strike. Ambedkar was coerced into accepting a compromise that diluted Dalit political autonomy.

Ambedkar’s tenure as India’s first Law Minister further illustrates this marginalization. His resignation in 1951 was a direct result of the Congress’s opposition to his progressive Hindu Code Bill, which sought to reform Hindu personal laws to promote gender equality. Ambedkar lamented the Congress's lack of commitment to social justice, stating that "To leave inequality between class and class, between sex and sex, which is the soul of Hindu society, untouched and to go on passing legislation relating to economic problems is to make a farce of our Constitution and to build a palace on a dung heap."

Brahmanical Opposition to Ambedkar

Ambedkar’s critique of the caste system and his eventual conversion to Buddhism posed a direct challenge to Brahmanical hegemony. His book, The Annihilation of Caste, remains a scathing indictment of caste-based oppression and the complicity of Hindu scriptures in perpetuating inequality. Ambedkar’s assertion that "caste is a notion; it is a state of mind" threatened the ideological foundation of Brahmanical dominance.

His conversion to Buddhism in 1956, along with millions of his followers, was a revolutionary act aimed at escaping the shackles of caste oppression. This act was met with hostility from Brahmanical elites who viewed it as a direct affront to Hindu orthodoxy.

Hindutva’s Appropriation of Ambedkar

The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and its political wing, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), have attempted to appropriate Ambedkar’s legacy while simultaneously undermining his principles. Ambedkar’s warnings against majoritarianism, as articulated in Pakistan or the Partition of India, are particularly relevant in the context of Hindutva’s exclusionary politics. Ambedkar criticized Hindu nationalism for its potential to erode minority rights, stating, "If Hindu Raj does become a fact, it will, no doubt, be the greatest calamity for this country."

Despite these critiques, the BJP has engaged in tokenistic celebrations of Ambedkar’s legacy while ignoring his core principles of social justice and secularism. For instance, the party’s policies on caste-based reservations and its silence on rising atrocities against Dalits contradict Ambedkarite ideals.

Exclusion from Post-Independence Politics

Ambedkar’s exclusion from post-independence politics was not merely a consequence of electoral defeats but a deliberate effort to marginalize his influence. Despite his role as the principal architect of the Constitution, Ambedkar was not provided adequate support for his electoral campaigns. In the 1952 general elections, he lost his seat in Bombay due to the combined opposition of Congress and other upper-caste groups.

Call to Uphold Ambedkar’s Legacy

Dr. Ambedkar’s vision for India was rooted in the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity. However, his dream remains unfulfilled as caste-based discrimination persists in various forms. Dalits and other marginalized groups must take proactive steps to honor his legacy:

1. Strengthening Political Representation: Form independent political alliances that prioritize Ambedkarite principles over tokenistic alliances with dominant parties.
2. Promoting Education and Awareness: Ambedkar emphasized the transformative power of education, urging marginalized communities to "educate, agitate, and organize."
3. Challenging Hindutva Ideology: Amplify Ambedkar’s critiques of Hindu nationalism to counter the homogenizing narratives of Hindutva.
4. Building Solidarity: Foster unity among Dalits, Adivasis, Muslims, and other oppressed groups to challenge systemic inequality effectively.

Conclusion

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life and work continue to inspire millions in their fight for justice and equality. While dominant political and ideological forces have historically conspired to undermine his legacy, his ideas remain a powerful tool for social transformation. It is imperative for Dalits and other marginalized groups to reclaim Ambedkar’s vision and strive for a just and inclusive society.

References

• Ambedkar, B.R., 1936. The Annihilation of Caste. 3rd ed. Bombay: Bheem Patrika Publications.
• Ambedkar, B.R., 1945. Pakistan or the Partition of India. Bombay: Thacker & Co.
• Keer, D., 1990. Dr. Ambedkar: Life and Mission. Mumbai: Popular Prakashan.
• Jaffrelot, C., 2005. Dr. Ambedkar and Untouchability: Fighting the Indian Caste System. New York: Columbia University Press.
• Omvedt, G., 1994. Dalits and the Democratic Revolution: Dr. Ambedkar and the Dalit Movement in Colonial India. New Delhi: Sage Publications.
• Teltumbde, A., 2018. Republic of Caste: Thinking Equality in the Time of Neoliberal Hindutva. New Delhi: Navayana.
• Zelliot, E., 1992. From Untouchable to Dalit: Essays on the Ambedkar Movement. New Delhi: Manohar.