Ambedkar-Gandhi Debate On Caste

01 May 2023 07:47 PM
AMBEDKAR-GANDHI DEBATE ON CASTE

The core of the Gandhi-Ambedkar debate is the fundamental differences between the perspective of two leaders regarding the
probable solution to the problem of untouchability and other vices of caste system. Both leaders addressed this issue but with
different approach and sometimes contradicting each other. Ambedkar wanted to end the caste system as not only this was the
reason behind the plight of untouchables but also the gradation of labour was given divine sanctions. Gandhi on the other hand
wanted to reform the caste system not only through abolition of untouchability but also giving equal status to each occupation.
Ambedkar was convinced that the condition of untouchables could be improved mainly through winning political rights.
Ambedkar started this quest from 1919 through Southborough Committees in which he considered a number of options like
reserved seats, separate electorate etc. During the various Round Table Conferences and proceedings of the Minorities
Committee, he articulated the reasons for separate electorate in order to secure more protection for untouchables. Gandhi
criticised the practice of untouchability and asserted that no occupation attributes a social status to the people. Gandhi wanted
to do away with untouchability without abolishing caste system as he considered that caste system saved Hinduism from
disintegration. So even when Gandhi supported inter caste marriages he didn't support the eradication of caste system. This
differences saw its peak when the Communal Award came in 1932 which gave separate electorate to the depressed class.
Gandhi began his epic fast unto death which arouse wave of sympathy for him. Ambedkar was persuaded to compromise with
Gandhi who was willing to give more reserved seats to the depressed class. This was concluded with the signing of the Poona
Pact and Gandhi broke his fast on 26th September 1932. Gandhi initiated a series of programmes and campaigns for the
promotion of interests of untouchables. He stated that untouchability was crime against both humanity and God. Gandhi faced
criticism and sometimes violent resistance from orthodox upper caste Santani Hindus. This involvement of Gandhi actually
weakened the position of Ambedkar. Ambedkar couldn't politicise the untouchables and was not being able to them a force to
reck on with. Gandhi's basic disagreement with Ambedkar was the doing away of Chaturvarna system. Ambedkar on the other
hand was frustrated with slow pace in Gandhi's efforts.
AMBEDKAR'S VIEW ON ANNIHILATION OF CASTE

• Annihilation of Caste is one of the foremost monographs published by Ambedkar aimed at explaining the exploitative nature
of caste and calling for its annihilation in order to secure a social order based on equal status and dignity for all. This brilliant
peace of thought-provoking write-up was penned as a lecture to be delivered as the Presidential speech at the annual
conference of the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal of Lahore in 1936 by Ambedkar. But an early printing of this speech went to the
unsympathetic eyes of the organisers who could not simply withstand the scathing attack the speech made on the caste
system leading to the cancellation of the programme and the speech remained undelivered. Subsequently, it was published
in the form of a book in the same year to become ‘undoubtedly the best known of all’ the books and monographs authored
by Ambedkar. The basic argument of Ambedkar in the Annihilation of Caste is that caste system is the debilitating institution
of the Indian society which instead of doing any good has wrought irreparable loss to the untouchables and, therefore, needs
to be eradicated without any repentance. He begins by exposing the inherent nature of the caste system which has been
found to be grounded in false notions of division of labour in conjunction with the gradation of labourers as well.
• Thus, to Ambedkar, the caste system has been found to be a blot on the Hindu religion and instead of acting as the fulcrum
to hold it in the highest of spirit and impeccable ethics, its cumulative effect on the Hindu society is that of a genie out to
destroy it own creator.
• In substance, it overwhelmingly negates the idea of an ideal society based on the virtues of liberty, equality and fraternity.
The system of caste, therefore, needs to be understood in a dispassionate and unattached manner in order to get to the
reality of things as ordained by caste.
• Taking his argument to the very root cause of the problem, Ambedkar tries to unmask the hidden pernicious motivations
behind the idea of Chaturvarnya, as the foundation of the caste system. He argues that as a system of social organisation,
Chaturvarnya appears to be impracticable and harmful, and has turned out to be a miserable failure.
• Having exposed the inherent fallacies of the caste system and its conceptual construct Chaturvarnya, Ambedkar exhorts
people to go for transforming the Hindu social order. He maintains that various methods have been suggested in this regard
but most of them appear inadequate in themselves. For instance, the idea of changing the social order by abolishing sub-
castes would not suffice as it would not necessarily lead to the abolition of caste. Similarly, inter-caste dining would serve
only limited purpose as it would not succeed in killing the spirit and consciousness of caste. The abolition of caste, thus,
argues Ambedkar, can be achieved only by intermarriage.
• In conclusion, it may be argued that the Annihilation of Caste was apparently conceptualised by Ambedkar in order to
provide for a comprehensive critique of the exploitative and inequitable elements of the Hindu society, on the one hand, and
suggest the ways and means of carrying out the required level of socio-religious reforms in the right direction, on the other.
In doing so, it appeared that Ambedkar still reposed his faith in the reformability of the Hindu society and Hindu religion
which lay at the root of the caste system.
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01 May 2023 07:47 PM

AMBEDKAR-GANDHI DEBATE ON CASTE

AMBEDKAR'S VIEW ON ANNIHILATION OF CASTE

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