[Dalit History Month] Dr. Ambedkar's 'Annihilation of Caste': A Blueprint for Social Justice and Human Rights

The book, "The Annihilation of Caste," penned by Dr B.R. Ambedkar, has undeniably attained an esteemed status in recent years.

The genesis of this influential work can be traced back to the Jaat Paat Todak Mandal, an organization established by Sant Ram, B.A, in 1922. In 1936, Dr. Ambedkar was invited to deliver a speech at the Mandal's annual convention in Lahore. However, the speech that he prepared for the occasion was highly critical of the Vedas and other Hindu scriptures.

The members of the Mandal, who were apprehensive of Dr. Ambedkar's views, had perused the speech beforehand. To their dismay, they found the speech to be deeply objectionable and demanded that it be edited. Despite their insistence, Dr. Ambedkar refused to dilute his message.

As a result, the Mandal postponed the convention. Nonetheless, Dr. Ambedkar remained undeterred and transformed his speech into a book, namely "The Annihilation of Caste."

Overwhelming public response

Dr. Ambedkar's book was met with an overwhelming response from the public, which vindicated his stance on the issue of caste discrimination. In the preface of the second edition of the book, published in 1937, Ambedkar expresses his surprise at the tremendous reception that the speech he had originally prepared for the Jat-pat Todak mandal had received.

He states that the book had sold out within two months of its release, with the English edition of 1500 copies being in high demand. The book had been translated into multiple languages, including Gujarati and Tamil, and was in the process of being translated into Marathi, Hindi, Punjabi, and Malyalam. The demand for the English version of the book continued to remain strong, necessitating the release of the second edition.

It is noteworthy that this tremendous response occurred during a time when the literacy rate in India was a mere 9.5%, as per the 1931 census. Given this, the book's success was undoubtedly a remarkable achievement.

Bold & forthright content

The essays comprising Dr. Ambedkar's book were characterized by their bold and forthright content. The book was a powerful critique of the pervasive societal discrimination that was perpetuated in the name of religion. Dr. Ambedkar's words sought to expose the evils of the caste-based hierarchy and system of social stratification that had been rigidly enforced for centuries.

Through these essays, Dr. Ambedkar carefully dismantled the arguments put forth in defense of the caste system. He argued that it was not simply a mechanism for dividing labor but rather an inherently unjust and discriminatory system that denied people their fundamental human rights and dignity.

Furthermore, Dr. Ambedkar pointed out that the caste system posed an immense threat to social progress and national unity. The essays were a clarion call to the conscience of the Hindu society, urging them to dismantle this abominable system of social inequality and discrimination.

He writes: " As a form of division of labour, the caste system suffers from another serious defect. The division of labour brought about by the caste system is not a division based on choice. Individual sentiment, individual preference, has no place in it. It is based on the dogma of predestination.” — (page 58, 4.4)

Appendixes included

Dr. Ambedkar included two appendixes to the book, which were of significant importance. In Appendix 1, he included two articles penned by Mr. Gandhi that reviewed Dr. Ambedkar's speech delivered at the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal. These articles were published in the 'Harijan' newspaper, along with a letter written by Dr. Ambedkar to Mr Sant Ram, one of the members of the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal.

In Appendix II, Dr. Ambedkar responded to the articles of Mr. Gandhi, which were collected in Appendix I. These responses were a crucial aspect of the book, as Dr. Ambedkar examined the criticisms raised by Mr. Gandhi and provided a detailed and thorough rebuttal.

The two appendixes are an essential part of the book and provide an invaluable insight into the evolution of Dr. Ambedkar's ideas and the broader debates around caste discrimination in the Indian context.

Searing attack on Hinduism

Baba Saheb attacked the hindu society vehemently in his essay as he wrote, “Not only has the Hindu made no effort for the humanitarian cause of civilising the savages, but the higher-caste Hindus have deliberately prevented the lower castes who are within the pale of Hinduism from rising to the cultural level of the higher castes.” — (Page 75, 9.1).

The aforementioned lines can be an indicator of the aversion that the proponents of Hinduism would have had towards the speech.

He replies to Gandhi “ I would like to assure the Mahatama that it is not the mere failure of the Hindus and the Hinduism which has produced in me the feelings of disgust and contempt with which I am charged. I realise that the world is a very imperfect world, and anyone who wants to live in this must bear with its imperfections.”

"Annihilation of Caste" inspired Kanshiram in his fight against caste oppression

Dr. Ambedkar's vision for the annihilation of caste was based on the spread of knowledge and education. He believed that only through education and the dissemination of knowledge could the inherent injustices of the caste system be eradicated. He advocated for inter-caste marriages as a means of breaking down the barriers of caste and promoting social cohesion.

The book, “Annihilation of Caste”, is a significant and powerful work that has helped to reform social movements in India. Its influence can be seen in the lives of countless individuals, one of them being Manyawar Kanshiram. Kanshiram was deeply affected by the book, reading it three times in one night, after which he was resolute in his determination to annihilate caste.

Kanshiram's experience demonstrates the transformative power of Dr. Ambedkar's work and exemplifies the importance of continuous social reform in India and beyond. Dr. Ambedkar's insights and ideas continue to inspire those seeking a more just and equitable society, and his legacy remains an inspiration for future generations striving for social change.