Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is revered by millions of people, particularly Dalits, who view him as a cult figure and Messiah. At a time when the Constitution’s 75th anniversary is being commemorated, Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s mocking comments that Ambedkar’s name is akin to reciting the name of God are extremely offensive to them and their sensibilities.
While speaking in Rajya Sabha on the Constitution, on its 75th anniversary, he said, “Abhiek fashion ho gayahai – Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna naam agar bhagwan ka lete to saatjanmontakswarg mil jata (It has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. If they took god’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven for seven births).”
His remarks have been seen as Freudian slip. A look into history shows that Shah’s egregious act of disparaging Ambedkar stems from the historical record of Hindutva forces and leaders, particularly Hindu Mahasabha and RSS, spewing hate and venom at him for his involvement in the creation of the Constitution and the Hindu Code Bill, which aimed to reform the personal laws governing Hindus and followers of Buddhism, Sikhism, and Jainism.
However, in the changed political context, even the slightest criticism of Ambedkar can spark intense resentment as the country is witnessing today, which could cost dearly to Modi-Shah duo who had not anticipated such an intense outrage across the country.
Former Chairman, Delhi Minorities Commission, Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan unfolds this dilemma, saying that “Upper castes’ problem is that India is now a democracy and every Indian has equal voting rights. This includes Dalits who muster some 22% of votes in India. Therefore, the Sangh Parivar and other Upper caste Hindu outfits are careful not to offend Ambedkar or Dalits. They want to keep Dalits within the Hindu fold and enjoy their votes while still segregating Dalits, denying them their human, social and religious rights of equality. They have found some stooges among Dalits who keep Dalits in check and ensure their votes for this Upper caste party or that. An attempt was made by Kanshi Ram to complete the journey of Ambedkar but it strayed from its path after his death and now the political party he founded acts as a mere pawn of the Upper castes. The inner frustrations of Upper castes sometimes come out. Shah’s recent derogatory outrage was one such instance.”
Dr Taslim Rahmani, chairman of Muslim Political Council of India, points out that Dalit and OBC votes have become crucial in the current electoral system due to the country’s shifting political landscape, which is why major political parties try to appease them. As a result, Ambedkar was bestowed upon the Bharat Ratna award in 1990. However, irony is that they are excluded from higher governmental institutions, including media, bureaucracy, and judiciary.
It is regrettable that despite strong claims and constitutional protections, a country founded on the tenets of equality, fairness, and fraternity was unable to uphold the fundamentals of social justice.
On the contribution of Ambedkar, Dr Khan says he was the father of the Dalit emancipation from thousands of years of persecution at the hands of the so-called “upper castes” of the Hindu society. His movement is basically against the unjust social system perfected by the Hindu upper castes to enjoy certain unjust social rights and superiority over others. He revolted against this system, spoke and wrote against it, symbolically burnt the Manusmriti which has sanctified the caste system and even left the Hindu fold by converting to Buddhism.
On the other hand, the Sangh Parivar and all Hindu movements, like RSS and Mahasabha, basically work to retain and preserve the upper caste hegemony but they cannot openly fight or even speak against Ambedkar and the Dalit emancipation movement.
On the same lines, media analyst Quamar Ashraf opines that the BJP’s disdain for Ambedkar is well-known, yet political compulsions have forced the party to conceal its animosity towards him.
“Shah’s recent insult of Ambedkar has exposed the longstanding rift between Hindu nationalism and Ambedkarism, a conflict that continues to simmer within right-wing Hindu parties. While Shah may claim that his words were taken out of context, the Union Home Minister cannot escape the implications of his remarks.
“Ambedkarite movements have played a crucial role in making every citizen aware of the horrific social, psychological, and material abuses inflicted upon Dalits over the centuries,” he underlines.
Ashraf also delves into history, saying that during his struggles, Ambedkar found refuge from upper-caste oppression in Muslims, who gave him and his followers protection. Inspired by the unity and equality within Islam, Ambedkar considered converting to Islam, believing that Dalits could never achieve equality while remaining within their birth religion. However, it is said that after secret meetings with Mahatma Gandhi and others, he was persuaded not to convert to Islam. Then Ambedkar chose to convert to Buddhism instead of Islam. It is also important to note that Ambedkar viewed Islam through the socio-cultural lens of South Asia. He observed that, in practice, Muslim society was largely influenced by the caste-based culture of Hindu society. The narrow interpretation of Islam by some sectarian groups within the Muslim community created significant barriers to the broader spread of the religion.”
Regarding Modi and BJP allegations that Congress tries to run down Ambedkar, Dr Khan says that it is partly true as Upper castes, including the Congress, did all they could to keep Ambedkar out of Parliament. It was the Muslim League and Jinnah who facilitated Ambedkar’s entry into Parliament from a Muslim League constituency in East Bengal. And this is how Ambedkar entered the charmed circle and became Father of the Indian Constitution.
Ashraf too recalls that Ambedkar received significant support from Muslims in his early struggles. In December 1946, when the Constituent Assembly of India was formed, Ambedkar lost the elections from Mumbai, with Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel playing a key role in his defeat.
Dr Rahmani also highlights the fact that compared to the majority of his peers from higher caste households, Ambedkar was a more qualified and visionary person. This was demonstrated by the fact that in the election for the Constituent Assembly, he was strategically defeated by his fellow Hindu society from the South Bombay constituency. The Muslim League of Undivided India asked its elected member from Khulna-Jissur seat to resign, which is now in Bangladesh, to hold a bye-election. From this seat Ambedkar entered the assembly. Ambedkar was unable to win any Lok Sabha elections from any Hindu-majority constituency after Independence either. After Independence, he was able to secure a seat in Rajya Sabha.
Ambedkar foresightedly stated in the Preface of his book Who Were the Shudras, released in October 1946, two months before the constituent assembly started its work: “…[I]f the Hindus of this generation do not take notice of what I have to say, I am sure the future generation will. I do not despair of success. For I take consolation in the words of the poet Bhavabhuti who said, “Time is infinite and earth is vast, some day there will be born a man who will appreciate what I have said”.”