WHY WE CAN’T DISCUSS AMBEDKAR?

The most blustering introduction of Arundhati Roy to controversial epoch-making writing of 1930s which couldn’t serve the purpose it intended to saw an upsurge on 123rd commemoration of Dr. Ambedkar. You are close – it was undelivered master critics of pervasive Hinduism which was apparently written to deliver on annual conference of Jat-Pat Todak Mandal, Lahore, a Hindu reformist group, which I doubt. It reads - Annihilation of Caste “Speech prepared by …But not delivered.”

Since publication of this pamphlet nothing much has changed. Still, majority of Dalits can only write, discuss within close compartments of same fraternity, anguish about prevailing caste system, but, unfortunately, saga continues – speech prepared but not delivered. They can’t express - what they have let it die for eon. They can’t hymn Ambedkarism and his ever ending contribution to Indian society. They cease to exist – they are Dalits.

“I can’t speak or discuss Ambedkar with them (other than Dalits). Even if I managed to do so they come up with all irrelevant counter arguments to nullify the discussion. And, beyond limit, they will make you realise ‘you [we] validate Ambedkar, because he sires you.’ Probably, knowingly or unknowingly, they are ignorant of Ambedkar and his contribution” says Vivek, a friend of mine. Further, he adds with all pain, “You know, most disgusting part of the story is the crowd which I was mentioning about is none other than the highly qualified scholars.” And, only thing he could manage to chuckle - Alas! What about the rest!

There are thousands of silent story – some get revealed and some still struggling to be. Perhaps, this is why Dalits protagonist are setting a line on ‘who can write and who cannot’ on Ambedkar – supposedly, their only asset. Reluctantly, I asked – why so? It is pretty clear, said Vivek. “Caste never dies. They [so called upper caste intellectuals] can vehemently speak of against caste system and when it comes to practice, no one does. He reiterates Ambedkar’s word “caste is enclosed class in India. It will never die”.

Why caste system is so pervasive in India? Why it doesn’t die? Is this why Ambedkar vowed to not die as a Hindu?

Ms. Roy made Ambedkar’s proposition bit costlier. Some labelled it as business tactics of publishing house and for other it’s an illuminating act to resurrect Ambedkar among long forbidden upper caste. Who is going to buy Ambedkar’s idea, Vivek grumbled! Intellectual entity of upper heads can talk thousand words on Marx-Engel, Che, Mao and this new guy, hmm… someone called Chávez. That’s good. There should be proliferation of ideas across the defined geographical boundaries. We are against those pseudo intellectuals who took no effort to understand enshrined caste system.

Problem is right here – in our defined varna system. Vivek’s friend David reluctantly forwarded. No one give shit to Ambedkar’s philosophy which is beyond discussed entity. Ambedkar’s contribution is overwhelmed. Women

Emancipation, Labour Reform, Hindu Code, Fundamental Rights inter alia – he gave reasons to cherish live of millions. And, you want to know, what he is to us, David questioned. We are… because he was!

Defying Ms. Roy, Vivek ascertain “we don’t need Ambedkar; we need acceptability and greater inclusivity of Ambedkarites in all sphere of life – now and urgently.”

Since then my economist mind has been pondering. At this juncture, India’s biggest concern is to maintain its unprecedented growth. Keeping harmony with ‘growth target’ Twelfth Plan goes a step ahead of preceded plan, envisage ‘Faster, More Inclusive and Sustainable Growth.’ Underlying question is how they [policy makers] are going to do this, when, one quarter of India (Dalits) are struggling with ‘roti, kapda aur amakan.’ And, above all, they face ‘moral defeat’ in their own land.

It’s not weak macro fundamental that plunging our growth story, it’s our fundamental that to be questioned. Surely, our policy makers, parliamentarians and all conscious citizens of India needs to debate on ‘Ambedkar’s Legacy.’ Notwithstanding, debate alone is not going to address the issue. Greater political will is prerequisite. It is high time for the intrinsic ‘argumentative Indians’ to go beyond and do all necessary to scrap the ‘caste systems’. At least, for inclusive development sake!