Dr B.R. Ambedkar: An Anti- Imperialist or a Collaborator of The Colonial Government?

Authors

  • Aali kumar ..

Keywords:

..

Abstract

Dr B.R Ambedkar is hailed as a great leader of the oppressed classes and worshipped by the masses. He is also called the Father of the Indian Constitution. But it is not often we hear of him being called a Nationalist or an anti-imperialist. He is infactaccused of being a collaborator of the British state by his detractors. The argument of my paper would be that Dr Ambedkar s vision of opposing  imperialism and imperial government should not be reduced to merely a dalit vision of liberation. It will be correct to say that Ambedkar participated in politics as a representative of the oppressed classes but that should not mean that his vision of politics was not broadly social or universal. He opposed imperialism not through the vision of nationalism but through vision of democracy. To look at the political interventions of Dr Ambedkar I would be referring to the First and Second Round Table conference’s (1930-32) proceedings.

References

• The Round Table Conference Speeches by The King, The Emperor, The British Party Leaders And The Representatives Of The Princes and The People of India, G.A Natesan and Co,Madras,1931

• 1946 – 1950, Constituent Assembly debate, Volume 1-12, New Delhi, Govt of India

• On Franchise and Framing Constituencies, Evidence before the Southborough Committee 1919 , in Dr.BabaSaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (1987), Vol 1, Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra.

• Protection of the Interests of the Depressed Classes, Statement to the Simon Commission, May 29, 1928, in Dr.BabaSaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (1987), Vol.2, Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra.

• Statement of Education of the Depressed Classes in the Bombay, Statement to the Simon Commission on behalf of the BahiskritaHitkariniSabha, May29,1928, in Dr.BabaSaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (1987), Vol.2, Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra.

• A Scheme of Political Safeguards for the Protection of the Depressed Classes in the Future Constitution of a Self-Governing India, Memorandum to the Round Table Conference, 1930, in Dr.BabaSaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (1987), Vol.2, Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra.

• The claims of the Depressed Classes for Special Representation , supplementary memorandum to the Round Table Conference,1931, in Dr.BabaSaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (1987), Vol.2, Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra.

• Franchise and the test of Untouchability, Submissions to the Indian Franchise Committee-Lothian Committee, may 1,1932, in Dr.BabaSaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches (1987), Vol.2, Department of Education, Government of Maharashtra.

• Jadhav, Narendra (ED), 2013, Ambedkar Speaks, Volume 1-3, New Delhi :Konark Publications

• Jadhav, Narendra (ED), 2013, Ambedkar Writes, Volume 1-2, New Delhi :Konark Publications

• Jaffrelot Christophe, 2000, Dr. Ambedkar and Untouchability analyzing and fighting caste, London: Hurst and company

• Omvdt, Gail, 2004, Ambedkar: Towards an Enlightened India ,New Delhi:Penguin

• Omvdt ,Gail, 1994, Dalits and Democratic Revolution :Dr Ambedkar and the Dalit Movement in Colonial India, sage

• Shourie, Arun, 1997, Worshipping False Gods : Ambedkar and the facts that have been erased, New Delhi: ASA

• Zelliot, Eleanor, 1992, From Untouchable to Dalit: Essays on the Ambedkar movement, New delhi: Manohar

• Chandra,Bipin, India’s Struggle for Freedom,2012, Penguin Global publications.

• Keer, Dhananjay,Dr Ambedkar :Life and Mission, Bombay Popular Prakashan,1954

Downloads

Published

2015-03-31

Issue

Section

Articles