A Memory and a Promise

B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy has witnessed a historic reversal of public perception — from being vilified by dominant caste ideologues and sidelined by political elites, to becoming a central icon in Indian political and social discourse. His name now holds such significance that even its mere invocation in Parliament can trigger political storms, reflecting the growing assertion of Dalit identity and mainstream political appropriation of Ambedkar’s symbolism.

AMBEDKAR’S TRANSFORMATION FROM MARGINS TO MAINSTREAM

• Reversal of Historical Marginalisation: Ambedkar, once dismissed as sectarian by Congress and the Left, has emerged as one of the most invoked personalities in modern India — a result of the politicisation and consolidation of Dalit identity that dominant caste-led parties now tactically acknowledge.
• Contestation of Dalit Iconisation: Despite frequent desecration of his statues and social hostility, Dalits’ reverence for Ambedkar has persisted, prompting resentment and moral scrutiny from sections of the elite who fail to grasp the depth of his symbolic and lived legacy.
• Reductionist Public Discourse: The prevailing narratives either reduce Ambedkar to a mere tool of electoral politics or question the emotional devotion of Dalits, both of which obscure the philosophical depth, ethical rigor, and political foresight of his work.

PHILOSOPHICAL VISION AND POLITICAL STRATEGY

• Emphasis on Institutional Safeguards: Unlike Gandhi or Nehru, who relied on moral appeals or modernisation, Ambedkar advocated constitutional protections, enforceable rights, and institutional reforms to safeguard minorities against religious majoritarianism and caste dominance.
• Rewriting Indian Historiography: Ambedkar challenged the glorified narratives of ancient Hindu civilisation and anti-colonial nationalism, and instead centred Dalit-Bahujan experiences, providing a counter-history to mainstream historiographical traditions.
• Intellectual Integrity amid Hostility: He critiqued not just Hindu orthodoxy and British colonialism, but also nationalist icons who failed the oppressed — while simultaneously recognising the colonial contribution of introducing equality before law, a key foundation for justice in hierarchical India.

CONTEMPORARY RELEVANCE & MISSING STRATEGIC DEPTH

• Emblem of Resistance and Assertion: Today, Ambedkar is a unifying symbol for various marginalised groups — from sanitation workers to students and rural Dalit women, he embodies dignity, rights, and resistance in the face of systemic oppression.
• Strategic Vacuum in Modern Ambedkarite Movements: Contemporary Ambedkarite activism often lacks the rigour, spontaneity, and tactical foresight that Ambedkar displayed during events like the Round Table Conferences and Simon Commission, where he persistently demanded separate electorates and proportional representation.
• Relevance in Present Socio-Political Landscape: In a time when Dalit-Bahujan material needs are eclipsed by cultural conflicts, Ambedkar’s anti-hegemonic, emancipatory framework remains a radical blueprint for justice and equity, especially in today’s polarised democracy.

Practice Question

Q. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s vision extended beyond legal drafting to a radical reimagining of Indian democracy and social justice. Analyse the relevance of Ambedkar’s constitutional and political philosophy in the context of contemporary socio-political challenges in India.