Ambedkar-Philosophy of Hinduism

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AMBEDKAR'S PHILOSOPHY OF HINDUISM AND CONTEMPORARY CRITIQUES PROF. M. M. NINAN Dr Ambedkar stayed in America, the land of liberty, for his higher studies. There he studied the western liberal thought and the humanitarian philosophy expounded by great thinkers such as Prof John Dewey, who was also his teacher, John Stuart Mill, Edmund Burke, and Prof Harold Laski to name a few. The impact of these original thinkers on Dr Ambedkar’s mind is evident from the frequent quotations one comes across in his writings and speeches. Whereas the West gave Ambedkar his ‘weapon’, the Indian masters gave him his soul force. ..... Karl Marx Karl Marx has scientifically analyzed this conflict by applying the principles of dialectical materialism to the sphere of social phenomenon and described it as the historical materialism. Slavery, apartheid, gender bias and caste system are the abominable creations of possessive peoples for the exploitation of creative people. These are man made evils created by man for the exploitation of man. Those, who have raised their voices against these evils and given a relentless fight against the prevailing social order of their times in order to free the creative peoples from the shackles imposed on them have become immortal personalities in the human history. Dr Ambedkar gave the central slogan of his life : “Educate, Agitate and Organise”. This electrifying message truly captures the spirit of the Marxian concept of praxis, of “action, reflection, action”. In the Indian context, education assumes a crucial role because the vast majority of untouchable masses are illiterate. Further, it is not just literacy that he calls for, but education; and not education alone, but agitation and organization too. Dr Ambedkar was a revolutionary, rationalist-humanist, human rights intellectual-activist,a man who looked ahead of his time. The Hindu community is set in the steel frame of thecaste system, in which one caste is lower than another in social gradation involving particular privileges, rights, inhibition and disabilities with regard to each caste. This system has created vested interests which depend upon maintaining the inequalities resulting fromthe system. He, therefore, “unfurled the banner of equality”. He was born in an 19
AMBEDKAR'S PHILOSOPHY OF HINDUISM AND CONTEMPORARY CRITIQUES PROF. M. M. NINAN “untouchable” family, carried on a relentless battle against untouchability throughout his adult life. In the last part of his life, he renounced Hinduism and became a Buddhist. What were his reasons for doing so? A detailed answer to this question can be obtained by studying his The Buddha and His Dhamma, Annihilation of Caste, Philosophy of Hinduism, Riddles in Hinduism etc. Nonetheless, some of his articles, speeches and interviews before and after his conversion to Buddhism throw some light on this question. According to Ambedkar, “what is called religion by Hindus is nothing but a multitude of commands and prohibitions.” He has enumerated the evils of Hinduism in the following manner: 1. It has deprived moral life of freedom. 2. It has only emphasized conformity to commands. 3. The laws are unjust because they are not the same for one class as of another. Besides, the code is treated as final. 1. I shall not consider Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh as God nor shall I worship them. 2. I shall not consider Ram and Krishna as God nor shall I worship them. 3. I shall not believe in Gouri-Ganesh and other Gods and goddesses of Hindu Religion nor shall I worship them. 4. I don’t have faith in incarnation of God. 5. I believe that, Buddha is incarnation of Vishnu, is a false and malicious propaganda. 6. I shall not perform shraddha, nor shall I give pind-dan. 7. I shall not practice anything which is against and different from Buddha’s Dhamma. 8. I will not perform any rituals to be performed by Brahmins. 9. I believe that all human beings are equal. 10. I shall make efforts to establish equality. 11. I shall follow the Eightfold path as told by the Buddha. 12. I shall practice ten Paramitas as told by the Buddha. 13. I shall have compassion and living kindness for all living beings and protect them. 14. I shall not steal. 15. I shall not tell lies. 16. I shall not commit any sexual misconduct. 17. I shall not consume liquor/intoxicants. 18. I shall lead a life based on Buddhist Principle of wisdom, Precepts, and compassion. 19. I denounce Hindu religion which is Harmful for my development as a human being and which has treated human being unequal lowly and I accept Buddha’s Dhamma. 20. I am convinced that Buddha’s Dhamma is Saddhamma. 21. I believe that I am taking new birth. 22. I commit that henceforth I shall act as per Buddha’s principles and teachings. 20
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Scheduled castes (SC) AMBEDKAR'S PH
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Historical criticism AMBEDKAR'S PHI
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Caste and economics AMBEDKAR'S PHIL
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Prof. Madathilparampil Mammen Ninan
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Apostle Paul Architect and Builder
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Ambedkar-Philosophy of Hinduism

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