New DelhiDecember 6, 2024 14:40 IST
First published: December 6, 2024 at 14:40 IST
Babasaheb Ambedkar’s intellectual legacy and revolutionary spirit have been instrumental in shaping the socio-political landscape of India. However, his evolving public image as a nationalist hero or even an intellectual figure raises serious concerns about how his contributions are perceived and used today. Ambedkar’s struggle to free the “untouchables” from the clutches of Brahminical slavery, challenging the mundane routine of discrimination and alienation, took shape by organizing many heroic struggles of the oppressed social groups who were suffering. While Ambedkar is important as a popular national icon, such grandiose symbols are often curated to distance them from the ongoing struggles of oppressed communities.
Ambedkar’s influence after independence was mainly confined to Dalit-Bahujan communities in states like Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. This characteristic began to change in the late 1980s with the rise of mandal politics and the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) in Uttar Pradesh. Today, Ambedkar is no longer limited to being called the “Dalit Messiah”. His ideas on social justice, human rights, Buddhism, and constitutionalism have entered mainstream discourse, elevating him as a global social revolutionary, an important nationalist leader, and a renowned political philosopher.
While this extended recognition appears to be democratic, it often ignores the issues that Ambedkar fought for. Grandiose state-sponsored celebrations of his legacy (such as erecting large statues and national monuments), frequent political invocations of his name (as seen in the recent assembly elections in Haryana and Maharashtra), and increasing references to his constitutional contributions, elevate him to high eminence. A nation-builder, Ambedkar was reduced to an iconic figure. Such increased appropriation diverts attention from pressing issues such as caste violence, economic marginalization and the systemic exclusion of Dalits and tribals from positions of power.
Ambedkar’s struggle against untouchability and the oppressive Brahminical caste system defined his life’s mission. His goal was not only nation-building or constitutional reform, but to radically change the social system plagued by caste conflict. His historic battles—whether demanding access to Mahad water tanks, campaigning for re-entry of Dalits into military service, or raising awareness through newspapers—are often glossed over in favor of a sanitized, politically convenient version of his identity. In particular, his involvement with working-class politics in Bombay as a labor leader – where he fought influential battles to secure equal wages, pensions and paid holidays for workers – received limited attention in a populist framework.
In academic circles, he is increasingly seen as a philosopher of justice and equality. Recent biographical sketches by brilliant academic minds have delved deep into his intellectual writings, decoding new meanings and substances. While such efforts are laudable, they are not necessarily connected to ongoing struggles for social justice and freedom. Ambedkar’s intellectual curation as a micro-entity disconnects him from those who need his ideas to challenge their perpetual servitude. There is insufficient emphasis on his tireless fight against caste discrimination, class inequality and the hegemony of the nationalist leadership of the upper caste elite. This tendency often distanced Ambedkar from engaging meaningfully in day-to-day social struggles. Recent attempts to present him as a nationalist philosopher or an abstract universal thinker thus subtly undermine his revolutionary essence.
The neoliberal era has exacerbated these challenges. Dalits and other marginalized communities face increasing exclusion from the benefits of economic growth, while Dalit political movements struggle to mount effective challenges against the ruling class. Dalit social mobilizations are often limited to symbolic rituals rather than addressing structural inequalities, particularly issues of caste oppression, rape, violence and social exclusion. Ambedkar’s new elevation as a philosopher or a nationalist hero seems to be detached from such daily calamities.
To celebrate him only as a national icon while ignoring his core ideological struggle for equality and justice is an insult not only to Ambedkar, but also to the communities he worked tirelessly to uplift. The numerous social and political struggles by Dalits, tribals and other marginalized social groups need Ambedkar to examine their precarious situation and inspire them to fight fiercely against the traditional ruling elites. Ambedkar’s teachings provide powerful tools to counter the socio-economic marginalization of oppressed groups. His ideas should serve as a revolutionary resource, reigniting the fight for equality and dignity for all.
The solution lies in reclaiming Ambedkar’s legacy for what it really is – a radical call to action against caste hierarchy, social injustice and economic exploitation. To recover the true essence of Babasaheb Ambedkar is to embrace his moral objectivity and revolutionary zeal. In doing so, we honor not only his intellectual brilliance, but also his unwavering commitment to a just and equitable society.
The author is an assistant professor at the Center for Political Studies, JNU