Understanding Ambedkar; Unveiling the Depths of Annihilation of Caste.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, an eminent scholar and social reformer, challenged the very fabric of Indian society with his seminal work "Annihilation of Caste." In this text, Ambedkar embarks on a journey of introspection, questioning the readiness of Hindus to claim political power, while shedding light on the failures of the Social Conference and critiquing the socialist movement in India.

Questioning the Status Quo.

Ambedkar began his text by questioning Hindus in India if they were truly ready to claim political power in the country. He also hinted that he was not in favor of the British leaving too soon. While challenging the upper-caste Hindus, Ambedkar presented strong arguments, highlighting the denial of basic rights and access to education, citing instances where untouchables were barred from public streets by Peshwa rulers. He asked whether they truly deserved political power when they didn't treat their fellow citizens equally.

The Lost Battle of Social Conference.

Further, Ambedkar discussed the Social Conference, which was established alongside the Indian National Congress but eventually fell into ruin. The Social Conference focused on social issues within Hindu society, while the Congress prioritised political change and securing power. Ambedkar attributed the Social Conference's failure to its narrow focus on familial problems like child marriage and widow remarriage, neglecting the abolition of caste.

Critiquing socialists in the country.

Ambedkar raised questions about their theories, noting their Euro-centric motivations and narrow focus on economic power. He emphasized the need for a social revolution preceding political liberation, as failing to address social problems would persist even after political liberation.

Ambedkar questioned why economic power was seen as the only form of power, noting examples where millionaires bowed down to penniless sadhus and mahatmas. Ambedkar further provided examples which establish that always religious revolutions lead to the political organization.He provided examples of political organizations preceded by religious revolutions in Islam and Sikhism.

Caste as a division of labourers.

He argued that caste was not a division of labor but of workers, restricting their mobility and perpetuating unemployment when industries fluctuate

The Arya Samajists advocated for the division of Hindu society into four varnas instead of acknowledging its myriad castes. Ambedkar countered this proposal by questioning why people should be restricted to just four varnas and why individuals couldn't be recognized without being labeled as Brahman or Shudra. Additionally, Ambedkar highlighted the absence of a mechanism within Hinduism to change one's varna based on professional choices, thereby perpetuating inequality within the varna system.

Ultimately, Ambedkar viewed Hinduism as a collection of castes, each confined to its own compartment and lacking mobility. He believed that abolishing the caste system and initiating a religious revolution were essential steps towards establishing social democracy and ensuring the success of democracy in India.

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