BV - May 2015 Yr 2 Issue 6 E

Dr. Ambedkar’s Ideology: Religion, Nationalism and Indian Constitution
Ram Puniyani
In order to gain larger legitimacy, RSS has
been making claims of sorts. One of that
which was made few months back was that
Gandhi was impressed by functioning of RSS.
Now on the heels of that comes another
distortion that Ambedkar believed in Sangh
religion is not Sanatan (eternal)...the second
purpose of the book is to draw the attention
of Hindu masses to the devices of Brahmins
and make them think for themselves how
they have been deceived and misguided by
Brahmins" (from Introduction of the book).
ideology (Feb 15, 2015). This was stated by
Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS)
Sarsanghchalak, Mohan Bhagwat. Recently
on the occasion of Ambedkar’s 124 th
anniversary many programs were held by
RSS combine giving a pro-Hindutva tilt to
presentation of Ambedkar.
There cannot be bigger contrasts between the
ideology of Ambedkar and RSS. Ambedkar
was for Indian Nationalism, Secularism and
social justice while the RSS ideology is based
on two major pillars. One is the Brahmanic
interpretation of Hinduism and second is the
concept of Hindu nationalism, Hindu
Rashtra.
Where does Ambedkar stand as for as
ideology of Hinduism is concerned? He called
Hinduism as Brahminic theology. We also
understand that Brahmanism has been the
dominant tendency within Hinduism. He
realized that this prevalent version of
Hinduism is essentially a caste system, which
is the biggest tormentor of untouchablesdalits.
Initially he tried to break the shackles
of caste system from within the fold of
Hinduism. He led the Chavadar Talab
movement (right to access to public drinking
water for dalits), Kalaram Mandir agitation
(movement for access to temples). He also
went on to burn Manu Smriti, the holy
Brahmanic- Hindu text saying that it is a
symbol of caste and gender hierarchy. His
critique of Hinduism, Brahminism was
scathing and in due course he came to the
conclusion that he will give up Hinduism. In
his book ‘Riddles of Hinduism’ published by
Govt. of Maharashtra, India (1987) he
elaborates his understanding about
Hinduism i.e. its Brahmanical version.
Introducing his book he writes, "The book is
an exposition of the beliefs propounded by
what might be called Brahminic theology...I
want to make people aware that Hindu
Ambedkar had started moving away from
Hinduism in 1935 itself when he had publicly
declared that he was not going to die as a
Hindu. In 1936, he had attended the Sikh
Missionary Conference as he had toyed for
some time with the idea of embracing
Sikhism. In 1936, Ambedkar also wrote and
published Annihilation of Caste, his
undelivered presidential address to the Jat-
Pat-Todak Mandal Conference at Lahore. At
the end of his written address, Ambedkar
reiterated his resolve to give up Hinduism.
(http://bihar.humanists.net/B.R.Ambedkar.
htm)
He said “I have decided for myself. My
conversion is sure as anything. My
conversion is not for any material gain. There
is nothing which I cannot achieve by
remaining an Untouchable. My conversion is
purely out of my spiritual attitude. The Hindu
religion does not appeal to my conscience. It
does not appeal to my self-respect. However,
your conversion will be both for material as
well as for spiritual gains. Some persons
mock and laugh at the idea of conversion for
material gain. I do not feel hesitant in calling
such persons stupid.”
(http://www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritc
hett/00ambedkar/txt_ambedkar_salvation.ht
ml)
Lord Ram is the major symbol of Cultural
Nationalism propounded by RSS. Let's see
what Ambedkar has to say about Lord Ram,
"The life of Sita simply did not count. What
counted was his own personal name and
fame. He, of course, does not take the manly
course of stopping this gossip, which as a
king he could do and which as husband who
was convinced of his wife’s innocence he was
bound to it." And further, "For 12 years the
boys lived in forest in Ashram of Valmiki not
far from Ayodhya where Rama continued to
rule. Never once in those 12 years this model
● Year – 2 ● Issue – 6 ● May 2015 ● Buddhist Voice ● www.buddhistvoice.com ● Email: indian.buddhistvoice@gmail.com 34