THE CULT OF BABA AMBEDKAR

THE CULT OF BABA AMBEDKAR – A FORCE THAT CHANGED INDIA

THE EMERGENCE OF DR. B.R.AMBEDKAR ON THE INDIAN POLITICAL LAND SCAPE WAS A DEFINING MOMENT IN THE COUNTRY’S HISTORY, AS IT INITIATED THE PROCESS OF DISMANTLING THE UPPER CASTE HEGEMONY ON THE PATH TO THE ESTABLISHMEN OF AN EQUAL INDIA.

The Indian nation owes a great deal to Dr. Ambedkar, the chief architect of our constitution and the messiah of the downtrodden. His role in the making of post-independence modern India is often overlooked or misunderstood. Dr. Ambedkar, the most invoked of all dalit icons, began his journey in a sleepy village of Maharastra. He saw and faced the menace of untouchability and exploitation. But this did not deter him to go ahead in life, he fought all odds bravely and went up to become the chief architect of the Indian constitution, as he was a prominent member in the constituent assembly which drafted the Indian constitution.

This war, victory and achievement of such an exalted status symbolizes the triumph of the struggle against exploitation and injustice which he undertook throughout his life. Under the leadership of Dr. Ambedkar, special provisions were made in the Indian constitution to discourage, deter and eventually eliminate the worst forms of caste exploitation.

It is beyond doubt, that India on coming in contact with the western culture, was changing very fast. The process of social transformation, to end inequality based on birth began much before the coming of Ambedkar. But it was under him and later on under his name that the forces of social justice were galvanized and brought under a single banner. Today his name symbolizes not merely a need for social adjustment but also a strong anger against people who disregard the novel humanist principle of dignity and equality of all human beings. The life and achievements of Dr. Ambedkar have turned into a heritage for the proud dalits which they consider as glorious, heroic and sacred.

His tireless efforts, which was later on, carried on by his supporters and descendents became a social factor to reckon with. He and his name unleashed a process which would go on heightening the self esteem and empowerment of not merely the dalits but also the other backward castes.

The dalit factor became so strong in the Indian political and social milieu that being pro- dalit was not merely fashionable but even mandatory. Baba Ambedkar was a revolutionary, beyond a point. He was not reconciliatory or compromising. He demanded justice for the downtrodden. He asked for equality, nothing less. He didn’t believe in gradual or slow transition. He represents the militant, aggressive and yet the most popular face of Dalit activism.

In the year 1956, he embraced Buddhism with about 5 lakh supporters. He exhorted that all dalits should embrace Buddhism, an Indian religion which he found eagalatarian and caste free. This was a clear warning to the Brahminical establishment. The orthodox upper castes realized the gravity of this threat and were ready to give in more concessions to the dalits. The process which began with him reached one aspect of its culmination, when in 1997 Dr. K.R. Narayanan was sworn in as the President of india. He was the first dalit head of state and it was a wonderful gift to the nation on the 50th anniversary of its independence.

The heritage of Ambedkar has produced many dalit super icons like Smt Mayavati and Shri Ram Vilas Paswan who cherish Prime Ministerial ambitions. The cult of Ambedkar lies at the core of current day dalit movement. His name evokes a sense of modernization, revolution and the dawn of a new era in the life of Indian nation.

Salutations to the man who brought the unjust and cruel caste system to doldrums, bringing liberation, equality and scope for growth into the lives of millions. Indeed he is one of the major makers of modern India.

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