Ranade, Gandhi and Jinnah

by B.R. Ambedkar

Address delivered on the 101st Birthday Celebration of MAHADEO GOVIND RANADE held on the 18th January 1943 in the Gokhale Memorial Hall, Poona by Dr B.R. Ambedkar

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, India, Sociology

64 pages, Paperback

First published January 18, 1943

About the author

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born in 1891 into an “Untouchable” family of modest means. One of India’s most radical thinkers, he transformed the social and political landscape in the struggle against British colonialism. He was a prolific writer who oversaw the drafting of the Indian Constitution and served as India’s first Law Minister. In 1935, he publicly declared that though he was born a Hindu, he would not die as one. Ambedkar eventually embraced Buddhism, a few months before his death in 1956.

Reviews

[Gowtham · Rating 4 out of 5]

"காந்தியும் ஜின்னாவும் அரசியலை தங்களின் சுயநலத்திற்காக களியாட்டம் ஆக்கிவிட்டார்கள். அவர்களின் ஆதிக்க நடவடிக்கை அவர்களை பின்பற்றுபவர்களை மனச்சோர்வடையச் செய்துள்ளது . அவர்களின் ஆதிக்க மனப்பான்மை பின்தொடர்பவர்களில் பாதி பேரை முட்டாள்களாகவும் மற்ற பாதி பேரை நயவஞ்சகர்களாகவும் ஆக்கியுள்ளது. தங்களுக்குள்ள இருந்த தனிப்பட்ட பகையை அரசியலில் புகுத்தி, அரசியல் தேக்கநிலையை ஏற்படுத்தியுள்ளார்கள்.தீர்வுகளை தேடாமல் இவர்களின் களியாட்டம் தொடர்கிறது.

இதெல்லாம் நான் சொல்லல அண்ணல் சொல்லி இருக்காரு, காந்தி என்னும் புனித பிம்பத்தை அம்பேத்கரை விட சுக்கு நூறாக நொறுக்கியவர்கள் யாரும் இருக்க முடியாது. இந்த சிறு நூலில் அதற்கான ஆதாரங்கள் பல இடங்களில் தென்படுகின்றன. அடுத்ததாக அம்பேத்கர் எழுதிய "What gandhi and congress have done to the untouchables" படிக்க போறேன், அதுலயும் சம்பவம் இருக்கும். காந்தியை ஒரு கதாநாயகனாக மிகைப்படுத்தி பாவிப்பதும் போற்றுவதும் ஒரு அறிவாளி/பகுத்தறிவாளர் செய்யும் செயல் அல்ல.

புனித பிம்பத்தை அண்ணலின் துணை கொண்டு உடைக்க ஆசை படுகிறேன், வாய்ப்புள்ள தோழர்கள் இந்த சிறு நூலை அவசியம் வாசியுங்கள். காந்தி ஜின்னா தாண்டி சமூக சீர்திருத்தவாதி ரானடேவை பற்றிய பல அறிய தகவல்களும் லிபெரல் கட்சியின் தோல்விக்கான காரணங்களையும் சுருக்கமாக பேசி இருக்கிறார் அண்ணல்.

Book: RANADE, GANDHI AND JINNAH(1943)
Author: DR. BR Ambedkar.

#do_read
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[Sumirti · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every single time I take up and read Ambedkar, there is something within me which gets altered for good, to remain forever. His words brim with zeal, power and depth of the subject at hand. He leaves no stone unturned; ventures into every idea, even those that make an ordinary gentleman uncomfortable; and, never has any strings attached. Of all the qualities, the one that astounds me is his clarity. It is his clarity of thoughts and arguments which wake the morbid hearts and persuades them to accept his point of view, even grudgingly. This little speech is no different from the above-stated qualities. But, in its subject, it stands remarkably different and urgently worth reading.

Ranade, Gandhi and Jinnah was addressed by Ambedkar before the Deccan Sabha of Poona on the 101 birthday of the late Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade (if you, reader, happen not to know him, have no woe. For we Indians, are mostly brainwashed with a petty history, that we almost don't know about many of our own great men and women. Ranade is one such man). Although the title has the names of Gandhi and Jinnah in it, this speech does not concentrate much on them, except few criticisms on them which are quintessentially Ambedkar. The whole speech throws light on Ambedkar's opinion on Ranade (from a third person point of view, which he insists to be made clear), his opinion on caste system in India, his ideas of what constitutes a great man, the urgent need for social reform and the areas where it must be brought in, and the decline of Liberal Party in India.

Ranade, Ambedkar makes it clear that he doesn't know him personally and all his knowledge on him is only hearsay and through his writings, was a great social reformer of the 19th century India. He has greatly written and advocated against the caste system, the need to increase the marriage age for women, the necessity to break free of old taboos and from the clutches of outdated practices in the Hinduism. Ambedkar himself quotes Ranade, which I found to be extraordinary in its vision.

"You canned be liberal by halves. You cannot be liberal in politics and conservative in religion. The heart and the head must go together. You cannot cultivate your intellect, enrich your mind, enlarge the sphere of your political rights and privileges, and at the same time keep your hearts closed and cramped. It is an idle dream to expect men to remain enchained and enshackled in their own superstition and social evils, while they are struggling hard to win rights and privileges from their rulers. Before long these vain dreamers will find their dreams lost."

It is only through this speech I came to know about a particular issue which had been discussed widely then, during Ranade's lifetime. The marriage age of a girl was 10 years then in India. One such girl who happened to have got married to a 35 yr old man was repeatedly raped (raped after marriage) and she died. Subsequent to this particular incident, the British Government proposed and which Ranade supported to increase the age of marriage for girls from 10 to 12 yrs. And, this had been vehemently opposed by the Hindu conservative groups then, for the reason that it might destruct the sancramental Hindu marriage institution ( sounds like arguments heard very often in India today, eh?!).

Ambedkar also defends Ranade's opinion that the British Empire provided a chance for India to relook herself and to have a new birth on her own. Ambedkar goes on to say that the British Government played as a shelter in the smooth working out of social, economic and political conflicts which are inevitable in every society which desires to advance. He gives adequate reason for this opinion and goes on to say that any freedom brought without solving the various internal conflicts would result only in the disintegration of a nation.

The whole speech gave me a feeling that Ambedkar has just worded for our own times. Many of his scathing opinions sounds so true and real as if that they were written just today. Consider this:

Journalism in India was once a profession. It has now become a trade. It has no more moral function than the manufacture of soap. It does not regard itself as the responsible adviser of the Public. To give the news uncoloured by any motive, to present a certain view of public policy which it believes to be for the good of the community, to correct and chastise without fear all those, no matter how high, who have chosen a wrong or a barren path, is not regarded by journalism in India its first or foremost duty. To accept a hero and worship him has become its principal duty. Under it, news gives place to sensation, reasoned opinion to unreasoning passion, appeal to the minds of responsible people to appeal to the emotions of the irresponsible.

Indian journalism is all that plus something more. It is written by drum-boys to glorify their heroes. Never has the interest of country been sacrificed so senselessly for the propagation of hero-worship. Never has hero-worship become so blind as we see it in India today. There are, I am glad to say, honourable exceptions. But they are too few, and their voice is never heard.

Towards the end of this speech, Ambedkar provides a necessity to have a multi-party functioning in a democracy and elucidates the necessity to have a vibrant opposition. Reading it now, when India has a strong centre under BJP and a Congress which is quite in a shoddy condition, it sounds like a warning:

It is undeniable that a Party is an essential adjunct to Popular Government. But it is equally undeniable that the rule of a single party is fatal to Popular Government. In fact it is a negation of Popular Government. The case of Germany and Italy furnish the most cogent evidence on this point. Instead of taking a warning from the totalitarian States, we are taking them as models to copy. The one-party system is being hailed in this country in the name of national solidarity. Those who are doing so are failing to take note of the possibilities of tyranny, as well as the possibilities of misdirection of public affairs, which is [=are] inherent in the one-party Government.

To make it subject to election is no guarantee against despotism. The real guarantee against despotism is to confront it with the possibility of its dethronement, of its being laid low, of its being superseded by a rival party.

It is the white-hot passion and near precision of thoughts which adds power to the words of Ambedar. The more I read him, he not only sounds true but also too cool for his time. I have often wondered that in our times when all our politicians act as a trifle where would a youngster could turn for inspiration and guidance, and reading Ambedkar makes me convinced that looking up to this man is a great place to begin. He is a treasure trove of wisdom which our own land has generously gifted us, as a light to spark in all the ages to come.

One can read the book here: www.columbia.edu/itc/mealac/pritchett...

[Praveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ranade, Gandhi & Jinnah: Address Delivered on the 101st Birthday Celebration of Mahadev Govind Ranade.

On prima facie , one will presume that this speech is all about these three people , Yes ! it is but this speech have more take ways than the discussion on these thee individuals, which is more significant for the current socio-political arena.

“Who can be called a Great Man ?”

Speech commences with the question on “Who can be called a Great Man ?” Followed with diverse arguments from history and philosophy which in essence propounds “sincerity” and “intellect” as the innate traits to become a “Great Man” but is it good enough for a “Great Man”, no it just makes an eminent individual. Then what is a “Great Man” ?

“A Great Man must be motivated by the dynamics of a social purpose and must act as the scourge and the scavenger of society. These are the elements which distinguish an eminent man from the Great Man, and constitute his title deeds to respect and reverence.”

Basically Dr. B R Ambedkar is reiterating his idea of social reformation over political reformation and importance of social reformer than political reformers. From there he takes his opportunity to shower his sharp sword word on condemning Gandhi & Jinnah on the temperaments and methods by which they have divided the country in to two leagues forgetting the cause they work for and without prospect. He even questions on what kind of history this will tell to our future generations ?

Journalism and Hero-Worship

Dr. B R Ambedkar vehemently attacks journalist , who has forgotten the ethics of their profession and has changed it into a trade and instead of being an adviser to the public they were creating heroes and have become drum boys for glorifying their heroes which they have created with the propagation for hero worship. Due to this attitude of press, two of our Great Men have demoralized their followers. Even today the questions raised by Dr. B R Ambedkar are more relevant “Does our press and medias give us uncolored new and information’s or are they trying to lob propagandas of our so called political reformers?

Democratic society vs Democratic government

He argues that a prerequisite for any democratic government is a democratic society , unless you have a democratic society, democratic government is not achievable. First is attitude of mind and an attitude of respect and equality toward their fellows. Read my write-up on "Annihilation of Caste"

In the channel of his arguments Dr. B R Ambedkar compares the greatness of Ranade, Gandhi & Jinnah and puts forward an indirect question on “Is Gandhi & Jinnah really Great Men? Compared to Ranade ?”

For me more than the comparison of these three individuals , great takeaways are the topics which I have highlighted. Which are really brain tearing questions .

[Gokul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Quite a detailed analysis of why Ranade qualifies as a social reformer and a politician in the larger sense because he (as Babasaheb always stressed) focussed on social reform over political reform. This figure lies in contrast to the supreme and infallible figures of Gandhi and Jinnah who "made a mess of Indian politics".

[Shubhada · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book shows the level of intellect Dr. B. R. Ambedkar possessed. He has nicely described Ranade and the unending tension between Gandhi and Jinnah. The book has opinions on many topics and I found them really helpful. Nice Read!

[Ayush Kumar · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a very fine read for the clarity of logic and reasoning in the arguments presented by Dr. B R Ambedkar on topics related to role of political party, Hindu society, social reform vs political reforms, journalism of that time, hero worship, great man vs eminent men and India's Independence.
This book is drawn from a speech given by Dr. Amberdkar on the birth anniversary of Mahadev Govind Ranade. While describing about Ranade, who according to him was more of a social reformer than a political activist, he touches aspects of Hindu society which Ranade was trying to understand and reform in the pursuit for checking the constant failure of Indians to defend themselves. In the process Ambedkar goes on to strongly criticize Hindu social practices which was classiest and favored Brahmans. The difference of social reform and political reform is pointed out in the context of Pre-Independent India. He argues that for a strong, stable democracy establishing rights for the people is important and that can only be done by the society instead of law. Political reforms can only create a society which is divided on the lines of privileged and non privileged. So, social reform such be a precursor to political reform.
Before starting the comparison between Ranade , Jinnah and Gandhi, he goes on to describe the traits and difference between great person and eminent person. The impact of great person in bringing social change is of paramount importance along with the existence of intellect and sincerity (not the advertisement of one's sincerity). He goes on to say that "Achievement is never a true measure of greatness". He describes how the personality clashes between Jinnah and Gandhi is a constant feature whereas Ranade has no trace of ego and he lays down the political philosophy of Ranade.
He also explains the criticism which is thrown about Ranade i.e he being against India's Independence by explaining the importance of shelter (no threat of attack) for carrying of an internal churning for change and betterment for a society like India.
Finally Ambedkar criticizes Ranade and Liberal Party of India for their lack of connect with the masses and in the process explains the role of party and multiparty system for avoiding despotism.

[Revanth Ukkalam · Rating 5 out of 5]

At a time when any critique of politics and Indian society is read as seditious sentiment, this is a must-read. Ambedkar is an unparalleled torch for democratic values in India. We are truly gifted!

[Mangesh]

Ranade with the thoughts of social reformists initiated the work. Later he inclined to the politics. He played the good valor against Hindu customs especially about the rights of a woman such as Widow marriage, Sati Pratha, access of property to Hindu women.
Being a political thinker and from the upper cast of India, he was craving for freedom. But before the freedom, he was believing that India need to learn lots from the British. Before the independence, India must become strong enough to be united as one country. Britishers could be great teachers in this quest.
Here is the conflict that occurs between his thoughts and his followers. Other politicians blamed him that he doesn't want independence.

[Digvijay Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awestruck by brilliance of Dr. Ambedkar. Book is filled with excellent monologues and citations.
Audiobook of this book is available at mea website and SoundCloud.
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar writings and speeches Volume 1 Chapter 6

[Maydha · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's a wholly different experience of enlightenment to read this book in the 21st century India under the present political backdrop! Especially Dr Ambedkar's narration of journalism in India 80+ yrs ago fits so spot on to the present India, that it's surprising and scary at the same time!

[Remeses · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ambedkar have earned my respect. A must read for alternative view of the times.

[Manoj · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book also describe the current situation on Indian politics. Perfect book. Everyone must read.

[Shikhar Bansal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sparks a thoughtful debate between social reforms and political advancements. Adds a new perspective on society and its evolution.

[Ran Vijay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book if one wants to learn about Justice Ranade and his works...

[Harikrishna · Rating 4 out of 5]

How he sees the three people in his nature and why he regards Ranade as a great person than the both or when compared to even Gandhi

[V. Sivarama Krishnan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ambedkat at his best

Ambedkar is brilliant in his analysis of Ramada. I wish more Indians read what he has to say. His comments on Gandhi and Jinnah would surprise many today.

[Asutosh Mishra · Rating 4 out of 5]

As relevant today as it was then.

[Aurodeep · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ambedkar at his savage best

[Lauky · Rating 5 out of 5]

This address delivered on the 101st birthday celebrations of Mahadev Govind Ranade, a great social reformer talks about the social and political reforms in the contemprary India.