TEXTUAL ANALYSIS OF DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR’S “ANNIHILATION OF CASTE”

Abstract

Paper titled “Textual analysis of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Annihilation of Caste”, analyses Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s stand on social evils which prevailed in the society. He was a social reformer in a true sense as he had strongly criticized caste system and its exploitative practices justifying the social evil like untouchability. Paper includes analysis of Ambedkar’s views on Caste system, Brahmanism, Untouchabilty, Capitalism and Political rights which he had discussed at great length in his speeches and writings. One of the major writings was “Annihilation of Caste”, which was supposed to be delivered as a lecture at Forum for Break-up Caste of Lahore in 1936. However, with the stern stand taken by Ambedkar on Caste system and Brahmanism, he was not allowed to deliver his lecture at the conference. This compelled him to publish this lecture in the form of a book titled “Annihilation of Caste”, which got published in 1936. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was firm on his stand against untouchability which plagued the society and how it was hampering the growth of people, society and nation. In his critique of Caste system and Capitalism, he seems to come closer to Karl Marx on few significant points. Caste distinctions and consequential graded inequality in the society had impacted economic structure as well. Untouchables were given menial jobs and were accorded an inferior status in the society. They lacked political voice as they tend to accept their inferior status in the society. Ambedkar stressed on the importance of education which can liberate depressed classes, that is, untouchables from the clutches of oppressive caste system and bring about a transformational change in their social standing. Moreover, he highlights the issue of unemployment among untouchables through his critique on capitalism and socialists who have failed to eliminate inequality from the society. He has also discussed extensively on the idea of democracy and importance of political rights along with socio-economic rights to establish a just social order