Ambedkar

B R Ambedkar

Life and Mission
By Dhananjay KeerCourtesy & Copyright Popular Prakashan


For those of us born after 1950 Dr Ambedkar is mostly remembered to as the Father of the Indian Constitution. He is also referred to as the Savior of the Depressed Classes called Dalits today. I had always wanted to read about him but the man aroused me after I read his book'Thoughts on Pakistan'. His style is well researched, simple, straight possibly blunt. He came across as a very well read person whose thoughts are based on sound logic & matter that he had read sometime or the other. After completing the book I was in awe of the man's intellect. Where did this Man come from? Why do the depressed classes worship him today? What were the problems that he had to undergo? Why did become a Buddhist? What were his views on Ahimsa? Not knowing whether any book would satisfy my quest for knowledge I went to my favorite bookshop at the Bhartiya Vidya Bhavan & was fortunate to find a book by D Keer. Having read Life Story of Veer Savarkar by the same author I instinctively knew that this was the book. Dr Ambedkar is referred to as BRA & Depressed Classes as DC henceforth.
How have I compiled this piece? Done a précis of the book taking the most important events in BRA's life. Focused on the problems faced by him, his achievements, dual with Gandhi, role in India's Independence movement & framing India's Constitution, reasons for embracing Buddhism. The book also has extensive quotations from historic interviews & inspiring speeches. Have ignored aspects of Partition that are covered in essays on Patel & Savarkar. My comments start by saying Friends.
Excerpts from Preface by the Author 16/5/1954 "BRA has played the part of destiny in the liberation of suppressed humanity in India. So India must learn to understand his life, character and mission & know him as he is & not as he is distorted by his enemies or deified by his devotees. In order to help readers see the development of his mind and understand the bitterness and violence with which he attacked the old views & values that had defaced a part of humanity in this land, I have traced the events & facts in their proper context and perspective & dealt with the views of his great contemporaries with whom he came into clash. In doing so I have not remotest idea of his belittling his greatness. Every great man has his minor foibles and flaws and when he moves & struggles in a particular field, he comes into conflict with the great ones in that field". Friends hope that my précis is up to the mark, if not apologies in advance.
This piece is dedicated to Valmiki, Veda Vyasa, Sant Tukaram, Mahatma Phule, Veer Savarkar, Swami Dayanand Saraswati and lastly to the author Dhananjay Keer. He attained eminence as a biographer, in recognition of which The Govt of India conferred on him the honor of Padma Bhushan. Great Guy. This piece is divided into 27 chapters as they appear in the book.

Chapters


1.
2500 years.
Origin of untouchability, British attitude, socio-political situation in Maharashtra.
2.
Childhood & Youth
BRA's family, early education & childhood.
3.
Self-Development.
Education in U.S.A., early activism, back to London.
4.
Man of the Hour
Law practice, BRA/Gandhi/Savarkar, Organizes DC.
5.
Up Against Slavery
Mahad fight - taking water from well, Role in Bombay Legislative Council.
6.
Declaration of Independence
BRA on violence, historic Mahad conference, BRA/Gandhi/Savarkar compared.
7.
The Morning Star
Comments on Bhakti Movement, Simon Commission, Rising Star.
8.
Land, Labor, Education
Fight for education or political rights, textile strike.
9.
Before the Bar
Temple entry into Nasik, Ist R.T. Conference.
10.
War with Gandhi
Meeting with Gandhi, 2nd R.T.C., Gandhi/BRA tussel.
11.
Truce
On Gandhi, separate electorates, Gandhi BRA pact.
12.
The Real Path
Muslim approach, temple entry controversy & Constitution committee.
13.
A Thunderbolt.
Health, ready to embrace another religion, why BRA would not adopt Islam.
14.
Verdict on Hinduism.
BRA on varna & embracing Sikhism.
15.
A New Party.
Starts a new party, elections of 1937.
16.
Labor Leader
Role, why BRA did not want to adopt Christianity, noble words, comments on Gandhi.
17.
On Federation & Pakistan
Challenges Congress, compares times of Ranade & Gandhi, Sri Aurobindo's words on Gandhi/Congress, World War 2, Thoughts on Pakistan.
18.
From Dust to Doyen
Mahar battalion, Cripps Mission, BRA grows in stature.
19.
Labor Member
Super speeches, work for labor cause, BRA routed in elections.
20.
Spell on Constituent Assembly
Dispute with Congress, depressed + great speeches.
21
Modern Manu
Results of partition, constitution work, BRA praised.
22.
Shadow of Buddhism.
Increasing popularity, back to Buddhism.
23.
Back to the Opposition.
Hindu code bill, resigns, defeated in elections, conferred doctorate.
24.
Govt on the Anvil
No linguistic states, on foreign policy.
25.
Old Age
What did BRA achieve, contribution to Hinduism, knowing BRA the man.
26.
Revival of Buddhism
Promoting Buddhism, thoughts on Buddhism and BRA converts. (a Must Read).
27.
The Last Journey
End / Tributes / Thoughts.




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