The Political Battle Over Ambedkar’s Legacy

There are very few leaders who reached the status of a demigod, like Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar has. Call it a fight over the Dalit icon's legacy or a bid to woo his followers, his relevance remains pivotal in contemporary discourse. The recent Parbhani incident has reignited debates over caste-based violence and systemic discrimination. This tragic event involved the vandalism of a replica of the Indian Constitution near a statue of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, sparking widespread protests by Ambedkarite activists. The protests escalated into violence, including arson and stone-pelting, leading to over 50 arrests. Tragically, one of the arrested individuals, 35-year-old law student Somnath Suryawanshi, died in judicial custody. While initially attributed to a heart attack, an autopsy revealed that his death resulted from shock following multiple injuries, raising concerns about custodial violence. This incident underscores the persistent relevance of Ambedkar’s warnings about systemic oppression and the urgent need for accountability and justice.

The controversy intensified with Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s speech during a debate on the Constitution, where he criticized the Congress for allegedly misusing Ambedkar's name for political gains. "There's a fashion now of saying 'Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar.' If one takes God's name this many times, one would get into heaven," Shah remarked. "Take Ambedkar's name 100 more times, but I will tell you how you really feel about Ambedkar ji." This statement triggered a wave of political reactions. Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge launched a scathing response, accusing the BJP and RSS of undermining Ambedkar’s contributions. The remarks sparked a political storm, with the Trinamool Congress calling for protests and the Aam Aadmi Party joining the chorus of criticism. Amit Shah, in a press conference, accused the Congress of being “anti-BR Ambedkar and anti-Constitution.”

This political contest over Ambedkar’s legacy reflects his enduring importance in shaping India’s political landscape. The Dalits, officially referred to as the Scheduled Castes, form 17% of India's population, making them a crucial voter segment. Key issues for Dalit voters include reservation, the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, and Ambedkar pride. The Rahul Gandhi-led Opposition campaign, which alleged that the BJP sought to end reservations, significantly impacted the outcome of the 2024 Lok Sabha election. The Congress and its allies secured a substantial number of SC-reserved seats, while the BJP saw a decline in its performance compared to 2019. This political dynamic underscores the enduring significance of Ambedkar’s vision.

Ambedkar’s relationship with leaders like Jawaharlal Nehru and ideological groups like the RSS was nuanced and multifaceted. While Ambedkar and Nehru shared a vision for India’s progress, their approaches often diverged. Ambedkar criticized Nehru’s emphasis on economic policies without addressing social inequalities, believing that true economic development was impossible without social reform. Despite their differences, Nehru recognized Ambedkar’s monumental role in drafting the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar’s interactions with the RSS were marked by both curiosity and skepticism. While the RSS praised his efforts for social reform, Ambedkar remained critical of its caste-related ideology. His historic meeting with Savarkar underscored his willingness to engage with diverse perspectives, even as he prioritized the Dalit struggle over broader ideological alignments. When it came to caste, both Savarkar and Ambedkar converged, But when it came to religion, they diverged in significantly opposite direction to each other, which remained a bone of contention between them.

Ambedkar’s philosophy for Dalit empowerment encompassed transformative principles. He believed education was the key to breaking the chains of caste oppression, encapsulated in his slogan, “Educate, Agitate, Organize.” Recognizing the entrenched discrimination in rural India, he urged Dalits to migrate to urban areas, where opportunities for social and economic mobility were more accessible. He argued that political democracy could not succeed without social democracy and that structural inequalities needed to be dismantled to achieve true empowerment. Ambedkar supported reservations as a temporary measure but emphasized that comprehensive reforms were necessary for the holistic upliftment of marginalized communities.

Ambedkar’s vision extended to providing legal and constitutional safeguards, such as the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. His advocacy for economic independence through land reforms, skill development, and resource access remains vital. The Parbhani incident serves as a grim reminder of the systemic issues that Ambedkar sought to address. The vandalism of the Constitution replica and the subsequent death of a Dalit activist in judicial custody underscore the urgent need to implement his vision. Ambedkar’s insistence on social democracy as the foundation of political democracy highlights the inadequacy of mere political representation without addressing social inequalities. His legacy continues to inspire and challenge the nation to build an inclusive and equitable society, making his teachings and philosophies more relevant than ever in the current socio-political climate.