From Subjugation To Emancipation

He was a social activist who relentlessly fought for ending caste discrimination in the country and dedicated his life for the upliftment of Dalits. He is undoubtedly one of the most towering personalities who has shaped modern India.

This book brings together a collection of 4 pertinent essays written by Dr. Ambedkar which reveal his phenomenal intellect, sharp writing and his ability to convey the unvarnished truth.

1. *‘Waiting for a visa’* is a brief autobiographical account of Dr. Ambedkar wherein he recounts multiple instances of caste discrimination inflicted upon him because he hailed from a Dalit Family. He recounts his harrowing experiences from his childhood and also provides instances of caste discrimination he personally faced even after he returned back to India after completing his education from Columbia University. This essay reveals the dark reality of the caste identities and consequent discrimination in India which haunts one lifelong, irrespective of one’s achievements.

2. *‘Annihilation of caste’* is perhaps the most famous essay of Dr. Ambedkar, wherein he categorically rejects the defence of caste system as a division of labour and points out that caste was a division of labourers instead. He also gives several painful instances depicting the horrifying reality of Dalits who are doomed to slavery and oppression as they are deprived of their basic rights and decency including the right of drawing water from public wells, getting decent education or healthcare. He also highlights how caste in India has penetrated into and polluted other religions as well. Dr. Ambedkar thus states that no political reforms can effectively take place in India before radical social reforms.

3. *‘Buddha and Karl Marx’* seeks to compare the ideas of The Buddha and Karl Marx wherein amongst other things, Dr. Ambedkar points out that the Buddha, through his Sangha had established Communism but without dictatorship. Thus, though USSR used force to preserve its idea of Communism, the Buddha appealed to the minds of people so that they could voluntarily choose their paths. Concluding the essay, he writes that Equality, cannot be achieved without fraternity and liberty and thus the Buddha’s idea of equality thus stands superior to Russian Communism.

4. *‘What Path to Emancipation’* is based on the speech given by Dr. Ambedkar in 1936 at a conference comprising of members of Mahar community only wherein he reiterates his intention to convert to Buddhism by giving detailed arguments as to why conversion from Hinduism is the only path for emancipation for the Dalit community.

Truth be told, an Instagram post will never suffice in conveying the significance of Dr. Ambedkar or his works. The above summaries do not even reveal the tip of the iceberg regarding the profundity of these 4 essays.

His writings are not mere words, they are experiences of dark realities which still exist and haunt the Indian society. His words are brutal and precise and he doesn’t mince words. These essays will thus haunt you, move you and challenge your status quo; But he depicted the realities of his times, and they are the realities of our times as well.