Recent remarks made by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Parliament have sparked a controversy, exposing the deep-seated ideological contradictions between Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), its parent organisation Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS), and the legacy of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. Shah’s flippant dismissal of Dr. Ambedkar’s enduring influence as “a fashion” reflects the ruling party’s deep discomfort with the anti-caste icon’s ultimate philosophy and his unequivocal opposition to the idea of “Hindu Raj.” This ideological misalignment becomes glaringly obvious when one examines Ambedkar’s legacy against the backdrop of the BJP’s policies.
Misappropriation and Misrepresentation
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a fierce opponent of the caste system, which he viewed as a fundamental violation of human rights and dignity. Throughout his life, he articulated a deep anguish over the discrimination faced by Dalits and other marginalised groups within Indian society, particularly within the framework of Hinduism. Ambedkar believed that the caste system not only perpetuated social inequality but also stifled individual potential and freedom.
He famously stated that “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved,” highlighting his commitment to social justice and equality for all, regardless of caste. His advocacy for the rights of the oppressed culminated in the drafting of the Constitution of India, which aimed to dismantle the structures of caste-based discrimination and establish a framework for social justice.
Ambedkar’s anguish was not just theoretical; it stemmed from his own experiences of discrimination and exclusion. As a Dalit himself, he faced significant barriers throughout his education and professional life, which fuelled his determination to challenge the status quo. He sought to empower marginalised communities by emphasising the importance of education, political representation, and social reform. His conversion to Buddhism was a radical rejection of the caste system and a call for a new identity that transcended the limitations imposed by Hindu orthodoxy. Ambedkar’s life and work remain a powerful testament to the struggle against caste-based discrimination, as he envisioned a society where equality and justice would prevail over the entrenched hierarchies of caste.
Ambedkar, as the architect of India’s Constitution, staunchly opposed any majoritarian imposition of cultural nationalism. In his seminal work Pakistan or the Partition of India, he warned, “If Hindu Raj does become a fact, it will, no doubt, be the greatest calamity for this country… Hindu Raj must be prevented at any cost.” Yet, the BJP has attempted to appropriate Ambedkar by selectively highlighting parts of his legacy while conveniently ignoring his scathing critiques of Hindutva ideology.
Amit Shah’s Rajya Sabha speech exemplifies this distortion. He falsely claimed that Ambedkar was opposed to Article 370 and resigned from Nehru’s cabinet due to disagreements over this issue. This assertion not only misconstrues history but also peddles outright falsehoods. As documented, Ambedkar’s stance on Kashmir was far more nuanced. He advocated for a zonal plebiscite as a pragmatic solution to resolve the conflict and reduce India’s disproportionately high defence expenditure. His administrative approach to the Kashmir issue was aimed at fostering long-term peace rather than advancing any political agenda.
Furthermore, Shah’s statement that Ambedkar opposed Nehru’s foreign policy misrepresents the latter’s arguments. While Ambedkar did critique certain aspects of Nehru’s policies, his opposition was rooted in concerns about their practicality and implications for national integrity – a far cry from the sweeping generalisations made by Shah.
Ambedkar’s Stand on Article 370, UCC, and Social Justice
Ambedkar’s stance on Article 370 and the Uniform Civil Code (UCC) reflects his commitment to India’s pluralistic ethos. Contrary to the BJP’s narrative, he did not seek the abrogation of Kashmir’s special status but aimed to mitigate the human and economic toll of conflict. On the UCC, he viewed it as a long-term goal for gender equality and social reform but emphasised gradual implementation and voluntary adoption, contrasting sharply with the BJP’s coercive and insensitive approach toward minorities.
Ambedkar’s legacy on social justice starkly critiques BJP policies that perpetuate systemic inequalities. His advocacy for affirmative action, land reforms, and caste annihilation underscores his commitment to empowering marginalised communities – a vision yet to materialise under BJP rule, highlighting their divergence from his ideals of equality and justice.
RSS’s Historical Contradictions with Ambedkar
The RSS’s relationship with Ambedkar has long been marked by contradictions. While the Sangh Parivar now claims to honour his legacy, its historical opposition to his ideas reveals a deep ideological divide. Ambedkar’s rejection of Hinduism as oppressive and his conversion to Buddhism in 1956 directly challenged the RSS’s vision of a homogenised Hindu identity. Throughout his life, Ambedkar criticised the RSS for its Brahminical outlook and caste-based segregation, even highlighting instances of caste discrimination within RSS shakhas in Prabuddha Bharat. His newspapers, such as Janata and Bahiskrut Bharat, frequently denounced the Hindutva agenda as incompatible with social equality and justice.
Historians like Christophe Jaffrelot have noted how RSS leaders, including B.S. Moonje and V.D. Savarkar, opposed Ambedkar’s efforts to dismantle caste. Savarkar’s dismissal of Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism as futile further illustrates the deep ideological rift between Ambedkar and the Sangh Parivar.
The BJP’s Tactical Appropriation of Ambedkar
The BJP’s appropriation of Ambedkar is more tactical than genuine. While it celebrates him as the “father of the Constitution,” it undermines core constitutional values like secularism, federalism, and social justice. For example, its implementation of the UCC and the abrogation of Article 370 ignored democratic processes and silenced minority voices – actions Ambedkar would have opposed. Moreover, the BJP’s economic policies, which deepen inequality and rural distress, sharply contrast with Ambedkar’s vision of an inclusive and equitable society.
Contradictions in Policy and Practice
The BJP’s celebration of Ambedkar as the “Father of the Constitution” appears more tactical than sincere, as its actions often undermine the Constitution’s foundational values of secularism, federalism, and social justice. For instance, the party’s push for a UCC and the abrogation of Article 370 bypassed democratic norms and marginalised minority voices – moves that Ambedkar would have staunchly opposed.
Additionally, the BJP’s economic policies, which exacerbate income inequality and rural distress, stand in stark contrast to Ambedkar’s vision of an inclusive and equitable society. This disconnect highlights the gap between the BJP’s symbolic veneration of Ambedkar and its disregard for his principles in practice.
Islamic Perspective on Human Equality
Islam profoundly emphasises human equality, asserting that all individuals are created equal regardless of race, gender, or social status. The Quran unequivocally states, “O mankind! We created you from a single pair of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes, so that you may know one another. Verily, the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous of you” (Quran 49:13).
This verse lays the foundation for universal human equality, rejecting discrimination based on superficial markers.
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ reinforced this during his Farewell Sermon, declaring, “An Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab, nor does a non-Arab have superiority over an Arab; a white has no superiority over a black, nor does a black have superiority over a white – except by piety and good action.”
This ethos was not mere rhetoric but a transformative social principle exemplified in Islamic history, where figures like Bilal ibn Rabah, a former slave, rose to prominence based on his piety and contribution to society.
Islamic Advocacy for Human Dignity
Human dignity is a cornerstone of Islamic teachings, upheld as a divine gift bestowed upon all of humanity. The Quran states, “We have certainly honoured the children of Adam and carried them on the land and sea and provided for them of the good things and preferred them over much of what We have created, with [definite] preference” (Quran 17:70).
This inherent dignity transcends caste, creed, or economic status, mandating respect and justice for all. Prophet Muhammad’s life reflects this principle, as seen in his treatment of the marginalised and the oppressed. For instance, his engagement with the downtrodden Makkan tribes and his efforts to abolish slavery illustrate a commitment to restoring human dignity. The Madinah Charter further demonstrates this ethos, establishing a pluralistic society where diverse communities coexisted with equal rights and responsibilities. These principles of equality and dignity continue to inspire struggles for justice and social harmony across the world.
Reclaiming Ambedkar’s Legacy
The resurgence of Ambedkar’s anti-caste advocacy in contemporary politics underscores the enduring struggle for social justice in India. His legacy resonates deeply with Islam’s principles of human equality and dignity, as highlighted in the Quran and exemplified by the life of Prophet Muhammad ﷺ. The Prophet’s Farewell Sermon, which proclaimed the equality of all races and nations, aligns with Ambedkar’s vision of a caste-free society and offers a universal framework for justice.
The ideological battle over Ambedkar’s legacy is not just about historical interpretation but reflects a critical struggle for India’s democratic identity. Ambedkar’s observation that “where ethics and economics come in conflict, victory is always with economics” underscores the need to confront entrenched interests to advance social justice. By integrating Ambedkar’s vision with Islam’s timeless ideals of equality and dignity, civil society can strengthen the push for a more inclusive and equitable society, keeping justice and truth at the heart of India’s democratic journey.
[The writer is Assistant Secretary, Jamaat-e-Islami Hind.]