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Ambedkar: A Life
Babasaheb Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, MA, MSc, PhD, DSc, DLitt, Bar-at-Law, is today among the most revered of Indians, his statues across the country second only in number to those of Mahatma Gandhi. He even overtook Gandhi in a recent poll to determine the ‘greatest Indian’ of modern times, in which over 20 million votes were cast. All the major political parties vie with one another to claim him as their own.
To the Dalits, he is a revered figure who was chiefly responsible for outlawing untouchability and fighting to give dignity to the community. And, most of all, he is hailed as the father of India’s Constitution, the principal reason why India continues to remain a democracy with liberal, secular, plural values (although all these are under siege at the present time) that seeks to uphold the rights of the individual and uplift the downtrodden. Writes Shashi Tharoor: ‘Dr Ambedkar’s greatness cannot be reduced to any one of [his] accomplishments, because all were equally extraordinary.’
In this new biography, Tharoor tells Ambedkar’s story with great lucidity, insight, and admiration. He traces the arc of the great man’s life from his birth into a family of Mahars in the Bombay Presidency on 14 April 1891 to his death in Delhi on 6 December 1956. He describes the many humiliations and hurdles Ambedkar had to overcome in a society that stigmatized the community he was born into, and the single-minded determination with which he overcame every obstacle he encountered.
We are given insights into the various battles Ambedkar fought to make untouchability illegal, his disputes with the other political and intellectual giants of his era, including Gandhi and Nehru, and his determination to invest India with a visionary Constitution that enshrined within it the inalienable rights of the individual and modern conceptions of social justice. ‘In so doing,’ writes Tharoor, ‘he transformed the lives of millions yet unborn, heaving an ancient civilization into the modern era through the force of his intellect and the power of his pen.’
Deeply researched, searching, and insightful, Ambedkar: A Life offers readers a fresh and profound understanding of one of the greatest Indians who ever lived.
To the Dalits, he is a revered figure who was chiefly responsible for outlawing untouchability and fighting to give dignity to the community. And, most of all, he is hailed as the father of India’s Constitution, the principal reason why India continues to remain a democracy with liberal, secular, plural values (although all these are under siege at the present time) that seeks to uphold the rights of the individual and uplift the downtrodden. Writes Shashi Tharoor: ‘Dr Ambedkar’s greatness cannot be reduced to any one of [his] accomplishments, because all were equally extraordinary.’
In this new biography, Tharoor tells Ambedkar’s story with great lucidity, insight, and admiration. He traces the arc of the great man’s life from his birth into a family of Mahars in the Bombay Presidency on 14 April 1891 to his death in Delhi on 6 December 1956. He describes the many humiliations and hurdles Ambedkar had to overcome in a society that stigmatized the community he was born into, and the single-minded determination with which he overcame every obstacle he encountered.
We are given insights into the various battles Ambedkar fought to make untouchability illegal, his disputes with the other political and intellectual giants of his era, including Gandhi and Nehru, and his determination to invest India with a visionary Constitution that enshrined within it the inalienable rights of the individual and modern conceptions of social justice. ‘In so doing,’ writes Tharoor, ‘he transformed the lives of millions yet unborn, heaving an ancient civilization into the modern era through the force of his intellect and the power of his pen.’
Deeply researched, searching, and insightful, Ambedkar: A Life offers readers a fresh and profound understanding of one of the greatest Indians who ever lived.
240 pages, Hardcover
Published October 1, 2022
56 people are currently reading
541 people want to read
About the author
Shashi Tharoor
77 books3,068 followersShashi Tharoor is a member of the Indian Parliament from the Thiruvananthapuram constituency in Kerala. He previously served as the United Nations Under-Secretary General for Communications and Public Information and as the Indian Minister of State for External Affairs.
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
He is also a prolific author, columnist, journalist and a human rights advocate.
He has served on the Board of Overseers of the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He is also an adviser to the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva and a Fellow of the New York Institute of the Humanities at New York University. He has also served as a trustee of the Aspen Institute, and the Advisory of the Indo-American Arts Council, the American India Foundation, the World Policy Journal, the Virtue Foundation and the human rights organization Breakthrough He is also a Patron of the Dubai Modern High School and the managing trustee of the Chandran Tharoor Foundation which he founded with his family and friends in the name of his late father, Chandran Tharoor.
Tharoor has written numerous books in English. Most of his literary creations are centred on Indian themes and they are markedly “Indo-nostalgic.” Perhaps his most famous work is The Great Indian Novel, published in 1989, in which he uses the narrative and theme of the famous Indian epic Mahabharata to weave a satirical story of Indian life in a non-linear mode with the characters drawn from the Indian Independence Movement. His novel Show Business (1992) was made into the film 'Bollywood'(1994). The late Ismail Merchant had announced his wish to make a film of Tharoor’s novel Riot shortly before Merchant’s death in 2005.
Tharoor has been a highly-regarded columnist in each of India's three best-known English-language newspapers, most recently for The Hindu newspaper (2001–2008) and in a weekly column, “Shashi on Sunday,” in the Times of India (January 2007 – December 2008). Following his resignation as Minister of State for External Affairs, he began a fortnightly column on foreign policy issues in the "Deccan Chronicle". Previously he was a columnist for the Gentleman magazine and the Indian Express newspaper, as well as a frequent contributor to Newsweek International and the International Herald Tribune. His Op-Eds and book reviews have appeared in the Washington Post, the New York Times and the Los Angeles Times, amongst other papers.
Tharoor began writing at the age of 6 and his first published story appeared in the “Bharat Jyoti”, the Sunday edition of the "Free press Journal", in Mumbai at age 10. His World War II adventure novel Operation Bellows, inspired by the Biggles books, was serialized in the Junior Statesman starting a week before his 11th birthday. Each of his books has been a best-seller in India. The Great Indian Novel is currently in its 28th edition in India and his newest volume. The Elephant, the Tiger and the Cellphone has undergone seven hardback re-printings there.
Tharoor has lectured widely on India, and is often quoted for his observations, including, "India is not, as people keep calling it, an underdeveloped country, but rather, in the context of its history and cultural heritage, a highly developed one in an advanced state of decay.". He has also coined a memorable comparison of India's "thali" to the American "melting pot": "If America is a melting pot, then to me India is a thali--a selection of sumptuous dishes in different bowls. Each tastes different, and does not necessarily mix with the next, but they belong together on the same plate, and they complement each other in making the meal a satisfying repast."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 59 reviews
October 22, 2025
There are talented characters, there are super talented characters, and then there is (was) B.R. Ambedkar.
Before reading this book, I was inspired by Ambedkar's personality. After reading this book, I can say that I'm not just inspired by Ambedkar's personality, but I bow my head to thee, with utter reverence for the character that is rarest of the rare in the annals of modern (Indian) history.
Rarely would you find such a self - made man in the profoundest sense of the word. Born in the Mahr community, Babasaheb not just rose to a level wherein he stood shoulder to shoulder with the leaders of privileged backgrounds and castes, transforming his own life which others could not have imagined even in the wildest of their dreams, given the circumstances he was born in, he also transformed the lives of millions yet unborn through the sheer force of his intellect and the power of his pen.
My vocabulary is inadequate to express the extent and the depth of the character and the uncompromising determination that Babasaheb had.
Babasaheb has given so much to the people of India that we're yet to fully appreciate.
I'd also sincerely appreciate Shashi Tharoor's writing skills (being a fan of both his writings and oratorship!) and the amount of research that he had gone through while reading this book, as he had talked about in the acknowledgment section. This book is not just a fast-paced biography but an eye-opener for many decades to come till India finds its social equality.
It is really necessary that the current Indian textbooks show more about the life of Babasaheb and not just portray him as a mere one liner citing that he is the father of the Indian Constitution, for he is way ahead than this, and with a bang!
While reading the book, I've also realized that how unaware we are about the caste and class issues while being aware of the Hindu- Muslim question and the divide.
Coming to the rating, without an inch of doubt, 5/5!
Before reading this book, I was inspired by Ambedkar's personality. After reading this book, I can say that I'm not just inspired by Ambedkar's personality, but I bow my head to thee, with utter reverence for the character that is rarest of the rare in the annals of modern (Indian) history.
Rarely would you find such a self - made man in the profoundest sense of the word. Born in the Mahr community, Babasaheb not just rose to a level wherein he stood shoulder to shoulder with the leaders of privileged backgrounds and castes, transforming his own life which others could not have imagined even in the wildest of their dreams, given the circumstances he was born in, he also transformed the lives of millions yet unborn through the sheer force of his intellect and the power of his pen.
My vocabulary is inadequate to express the extent and the depth of the character and the uncompromising determination that Babasaheb had.
Babasaheb has given so much to the people of India that we're yet to fully appreciate.
I'd also sincerely appreciate Shashi Tharoor's writing skills (being a fan of both his writings and oratorship!) and the amount of research that he had gone through while reading this book, as he had talked about in the acknowledgment section. This book is not just a fast-paced biography but an eye-opener for many decades to come till India finds its social equality.
It is really necessary that the current Indian textbooks show more about the life of Babasaheb and not just portray him as a mere one liner citing that he is the father of the Indian Constitution, for he is way ahead than this, and with a bang!
While reading the book, I've also realized that how unaware we are about the caste and class issues while being aware of the Hindu- Muslim question and the divide.
Coming to the rating, without an inch of doubt, 5/5!
October 30, 2022
"Mahatmas have come and Mahatmas have gone. But the untouchables have remained as untouchables.”- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
ধর্মের নামে জাতপাত কতো হিংস্র, ঘৃণ্য এবং বিভেদসৃষ্টিকারী হতে পারে তা ড. আম্বেদকরের জীবনী পড়লে বোঝা যায়। শশী থারুর সংক্ষেপে পরম শ্রদ্ধেয় ড. ভীমরাও আম্বেদকরের জীবনকথা লিখেছেন। যেখানে ধর্মের নামে অস্পৃশ্যতার মতো নোংরা একটি অপরাধের বিরুদ্ধে আম্বেদকরের অবিস্মরণীয় সংগ্রামের কথা জানতে পারলাম।
বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের যে-কোনো ধর্মের পাঠক বইটি পড়ুন। অনেককিছু উপলব্ধি করতে পারবেন।
ধর্মের নামে জাতপাত কতো হিংস্র, ঘৃণ্য এবং বিভেদসৃষ্টিকারী হতে পারে তা ড. আম্বেদকরের জীবনী পড়লে বোঝা যায়। শশী থারুর সংক্ষেপে পরম শ্রদ্ধেয় ড. ভীমরাও আম্বেদকরের জীবনকথা লিখেছেন। যেখানে ধর্মের নামে অস্পৃশ্যতার মতো নোংরা একটি অপরাধের বিরুদ্ধে আম্বেদকরের অবিস্মরণীয় সংগ্রামের কথা জানতে পারলাম।
বাংলাদেশ ও ভারতের যে-কোনো ধর্মের পাঠক বইটি পড়ুন। অনেককিছু উপলব্ধি করতে পারবেন।
October 31, 2022
It is with irrepressible difficulty I attempt to strictly review this book, for it is seemingly impossible to not write about the man whose biography this is. A man who was born an untouchable, who not only rose above the circumstances of his birth, but achieved a laudable level of success which would have been spectacular even for a child of privilege. As I began this book, I couldn’t help but develop a feeling of scepticism & let me explain you why : Mr Tharoor who authored ‘Why I am Hindu’ chose to write about a man who famously stated ‘I was born a Hindu but I shall not die one’. Nevertheless, I decided to plunge myself into his book which would eventually turn out to be a decent introduction to Dr BR Ambedkar’s life.
Mr Tharoor explains in a chronological manner how an insignificant infant scrabbling in the dust of Mhow in 1891 became the first law minister of free India. He graphically describes the atrocities he had to face, the indignations he has to endure and rose above all. Strictly speaking, this book would be an easy-go-to material for those who don’t have the time to dig deep about Dr BR Ambedkar, his beliefs or the complexities in the decisions he had to take but just a curtain raising introduction to his life & legacy. For me, that is all the book is.
Needless to say, it is a book by Shashi Tharoor and I had my share of insight as I flipped through the pages. I enjoyed reading about the man who stood staunchly against worshipping a person/ leader, yet ironically became an idol to generations to come.
It was most interesting to read about what his critics had to write about Ambedkar. Unpopular amongst the Congressmen, termed as a puppet of the British, the book made me realise that Ambedkar was a man who felt Freedom isn’t merely from foreign oppression but domestic too. Sadly no one, not Gandhi, not Nehru put their foot down in the favour of Dalits but for Ambedkar. Tharoor beautifully explains how Ambedkar, despite his failing health took years to draft a constitution which is now revered by many a country even today.
There’s one thing about the book which sticks out like a sore thumb : A chapter called - Ambedkar’s Four Flaws. Ambedkar’s negligence towards Adivasis, and excluding them from a part of democracy was something that shouldn’t have been snubbed as a chapter of few pages. It’s more than a flaw - a cardinal blunder. I wished Tharoor shed more light on Ambedkar’s ‘flaws’ the same way he glorified the latter. Notwithstanding the fact that Ambedkar was a man whose earnest efforts to uplift the Dalits cannot be described in words and the legacy he has left behind is a mountain of gold. But we all know that , don’t we?
Tharoor finishes his book with an elaborate note on why Ambedkarism is very much prevalent in the present times, and even times to come. He quotes the Dalit writers like Yashica Dutt & others to give the readers a glimpse of what it is to be born a Dalit today. When I flipped the last page of the book, I asked myself “Who was Ambedkar?”. Was he an excellent lawman? Was he a staunch protester for Dalits? Was he a prescient being who foresaw the turmoils which the young & free country might put herself into? He was all of the above and yet, his contribution to the nation & Dalits in particular cannot be summarised in a ‘concise’ 240 page book. Most certainly not in a review.
Mr Tharoor explains in a chronological manner how an insignificant infant scrabbling in the dust of Mhow in 1891 became the first law minister of free India. He graphically describes the atrocities he had to face, the indignations he has to endure and rose above all. Strictly speaking, this book would be an easy-go-to material for those who don’t have the time to dig deep about Dr BR Ambedkar, his beliefs or the complexities in the decisions he had to take but just a curtain raising introduction to his life & legacy. For me, that is all the book is.
Needless to say, it is a book by Shashi Tharoor and I had my share of insight as I flipped through the pages. I enjoyed reading about the man who stood staunchly against worshipping a person/ leader, yet ironically became an idol to generations to come.
It was most interesting to read about what his critics had to write about Ambedkar. Unpopular amongst the Congressmen, termed as a puppet of the British, the book made me realise that Ambedkar was a man who felt Freedom isn’t merely from foreign oppression but domestic too. Sadly no one, not Gandhi, not Nehru put their foot down in the favour of Dalits but for Ambedkar. Tharoor beautifully explains how Ambedkar, despite his failing health took years to draft a constitution which is now revered by many a country even today.
There’s one thing about the book which sticks out like a sore thumb : A chapter called - Ambedkar’s Four Flaws. Ambedkar’s negligence towards Adivasis, and excluding them from a part of democracy was something that shouldn’t have been snubbed as a chapter of few pages. It’s more than a flaw - a cardinal blunder. I wished Tharoor shed more light on Ambedkar’s ‘flaws’ the same way he glorified the latter. Notwithstanding the fact that Ambedkar was a man whose earnest efforts to uplift the Dalits cannot be described in words and the legacy he has left behind is a mountain of gold. But we all know that , don’t we?
Tharoor finishes his book with an elaborate note on why Ambedkarism is very much prevalent in the present times, and even times to come. He quotes the Dalit writers like Yashica Dutt & others to give the readers a glimpse of what it is to be born a Dalit today. When I flipped the last page of the book, I asked myself “Who was Ambedkar?”. Was he an excellent lawman? Was he a staunch protester for Dalits? Was he a prescient being who foresaw the turmoils which the young & free country might put herself into? He was all of the above and yet, his contribution to the nation & Dalits in particular cannot be summarised in a ‘concise’ 240 page book. Most certainly not in a review.
October 15, 2022
In this concise biography, Shashi Tharoor presents a compelling chronicle of the life and times of a truly remarkable personality who decisively shaped the political and historical sociology of the nation in his times that continues to have relevance for present-day India as well. By not trying to moderate or appropriate Ambedkar’s views on Hinduism, Shashi Tharoor penned this biography with objectivity as its core by only narrating the life, ideology, and politics of one of the tallest leaders of modern India, without resorting to eulogy or criticism.
I am appreciative of the fact that, in writing this book, Shashi Tharoor acquired much-needed literary exposure, ranging from Isabel Wilkerson, Yashica Dutt, and Gail Omvedt to Suraj Yengde. Finally acknowledging the lived experience of the oppressed and realities of the subaltern discourse, Shashi Tharoor had come a long way from being a caste-denialist in his Era of Darkness to “I have been schooled to accept that even caste-blindness is a reflection of my privilege” in preface of this book.
Most importantly, amidst all the noise about the Gandhi-Ambedkar divergence, Shashi Tharoor had adverted to the overlooked Nehru-Ambedkar convergences, especially in their uncompromising "articulation of a non-Hindu conception of Indian nationalism."
I am appreciative of the fact that, in writing this book, Shashi Tharoor acquired much-needed literary exposure, ranging from Isabel Wilkerson, Yashica Dutt, and Gail Omvedt to Suraj Yengde. Finally acknowledging the lived experience of the oppressed and realities of the subaltern discourse, Shashi Tharoor had come a long way from being a caste-denialist in his Era of Darkness to “I have been schooled to accept that even caste-blindness is a reflection of my privilege” in preface of this book.
Most importantly, amidst all the noise about the Gandhi-Ambedkar divergence, Shashi Tharoor had adverted to the overlooked Nehru-Ambedkar convergences, especially in their uncompromising "articulation of a non-Hindu conception of Indian nationalism."
April 29, 2024
A wonderfully written short biography.
The behemoth of a scholar as Dr. Ambedkar was, going through his works and trying to inculcate even an iota of that scholarship would be a herculean achievement for any mortal.
Some of the things which he has said across his speeches or some of the opinions of the author which has remained back with the reader are:
“The first is that the individual is an end in himself and that the aim and object of society is the growth of the individual and the development of his personality. Society is not above the individual and if the individual has to subordinate himself to society, it is because such subordination is for his betterment and only to the extent necessary. The second essential is that the terms of associated life between members of society must be regarded by consideration founded on liberty, equality, fraternity.”
“This was in keeping with the memorable teaching of Sant Tukaram: ‘We possess the wealth of words. With weapons of words we will fight; words are the breath of our life, we will distribute the wealth of words among the people. Tukaram says that the words themselves are gods, our pride, only those we choose to worship”
“At a library function in Poona in 1952 he gave the world a remarkable definition of democracy: he said that democracy was ‘a form and a method of government whereby revolutionary changes in the economic and social life of the people are brought about without bloodshed.”
“even caste-blindness is a reflection of privilege”
The behemoth of a scholar as Dr. Ambedkar was, going through his works and trying to inculcate even an iota of that scholarship would be a herculean achievement for any mortal.
Some of the things which he has said across his speeches or some of the opinions of the author which has remained back with the reader are:
“The first is that the individual is an end in himself and that the aim and object of society is the growth of the individual and the development of his personality. Society is not above the individual and if the individual has to subordinate himself to society, it is because such subordination is for his betterment and only to the extent necessary. The second essential is that the terms of associated life between members of society must be regarded by consideration founded on liberty, equality, fraternity.”
“This was in keeping with the memorable teaching of Sant Tukaram: ‘We possess the wealth of words. With weapons of words we will fight; words are the breath of our life, we will distribute the wealth of words among the people. Tukaram says that the words themselves are gods, our pride, only those we choose to worship”
“At a library function in Poona in 1952 he gave the world a remarkable definition of democracy: he said that democracy was ‘a form and a method of government whereby revolutionary changes in the economic and social life of the people are brought about without bloodshed.”
“even caste-blindness is a reflection of privilege”
January 22, 2023
Shashi Tharoor pens a short and useful biography of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar for readers with time constraints. The book is structured into two parts : a chronological revisit of Ambedkar's life and an evaluation of his legacy. Despite Tharoor's highly accessible style of writing, the book suffers from lack of fresh research and is satisfied with mere precis writing of previous scholarly works on Ambedkar. The author finds Ambedkar's sweepingly scathing dismissal of Hinduism unbearable. Tharoor could do well to reread Ambedkar's "Annihilation of Caste" again to understand where Ambedkar comes from instead of lamenting as to how a "great religion" has been mercilessly denigrated. That Tharoor finds such criticism unbearable is no surprise, after all one of his books is titled " Why I am a Hindu".
January 10, 2023
If you are somebody who is looking for an Introductory Book on the man, you are going to be satisfied.
But if you expect to clasp Ambedkar's motivations and personality in depth, you are going to be disappointed.
Friends' recommended me Gail Omvedt's take on Ambedkar as a better choice.
But if you expect to clasp Ambedkar's motivations and personality in depth, you are going to be disappointed.
Friends' recommended me Gail Omvedt's take on Ambedkar as a better choice.
December 23, 2022
Some books are to be read, some people are meant to be met, and some great people are to be remembered. Books give us knowledge, and people give us memories. But, some people give us the right to live and lead quality lives. One such personality in Indian history is Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar. It is a ritual for us to celebrate and get a public holiday on his birthday. But how many of us are aware of his life story in detail? Thanks to the ever-growing and roaring Dalit movement and literature that now and then keeps reminding Ambedkar’s role in shaping our constitution. Well, thanks to Aleph Book Company for publishing this book is written by none other than this generation’s English language wizard – Mr. Shashi Tharoor.
I remember, in October, an Instagram post by the publishers about this book popped up. It was exciting. I have recently read Ambedkar’s books in Telugu. Incidentally saw Aleph’s post and felt happy.
Coming to this book by Shashi Tharoor, the title talks a lot. The contents explain the life of a person who was the torch bearer of human dignity and fundamental rights. This 208 pages book revolves around Ambedkar’s from his childhood, the tough situations he faced, and the communal and caste bias he faced in detail.
The book is divided into two books, one containing the initial phases of his life. Book two explains his life in Indian politics. The writing style is simple and explanatory. Well, talking about the language, it’s Shashi Tharoor! This is a must-read book for all those youngsters and readers who want to read a good book!
I remember, in October, an Instagram post by the publishers about this book popped up. It was exciting. I have recently read Ambedkar’s books in Telugu. Incidentally saw Aleph’s post and felt happy.
Coming to this book by Shashi Tharoor, the title talks a lot. The contents explain the life of a person who was the torch bearer of human dignity and fundamental rights. This 208 pages book revolves around Ambedkar’s from his childhood, the tough situations he faced, and the communal and caste bias he faced in detail.
The book is divided into two books, one containing the initial phases of his life. Book two explains his life in Indian politics. The writing style is simple and explanatory. Well, talking about the language, it’s Shashi Tharoor! This is a must-read book for all those youngsters and readers who want to read a good book!
April 15, 2023
Termed ' Ambedkar: A Life', Tharoor simply labels this a biography, which it is, in a succinct form, highlighting the rise of this untouchable boy, to become not only India s first Law minister coming from a clan of so called 'untouchables' but also to this day find praise, appreciation, and respect among people as one of the greatest Indians to have lived.
.
The book traces 'Bhim's' journey from an infant of the untoucable Mahar caste, such that everything he came in contact with becomes impure, to the graciousness of the Maharaja's leading to his bright academic life in England, to his plight again in India back to London and finally starts on how he gradually became the Ambedkar, champion of the Dalits and the man who in flailing health too wrote our constitution in a precision most impeccable.
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As a reader who is clueless and wants to know more about this personality's life, I think this book is a great starting point, sectioned well, this book step by step throws light on all that is necessary including what has been counted as Ambedkar's faults too.
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I think the plights he faced based on casteisms is described really well here and brings out his success and esteem as an erudite man again and again!
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No better day to post this when most of the nation today is enjoying a holiday probably not knowing anything about the significance behind this holiday and this great man's contribution to our nation and society in general!
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The book traces 'Bhim's' journey from an infant of the untoucable Mahar caste, such that everything he came in contact with becomes impure, to the graciousness of the Maharaja's leading to his bright academic life in England, to his plight again in India back to London and finally starts on how he gradually became the Ambedkar, champion of the Dalits and the man who in flailing health too wrote our constitution in a precision most impeccable.
.
As a reader who is clueless and wants to know more about this personality's life, I think this book is a great starting point, sectioned well, this book step by step throws light on all that is necessary including what has been counted as Ambedkar's faults too.
.
I think the plights he faced based on casteisms is described really well here and brings out his success and esteem as an erudite man again and again!
.
No better day to post this when most of the nation today is enjoying a holiday probably not knowing anything about the significance behind this holiday and this great man's contribution to our nation and society in general!
January 25, 2023
The book is not a hagiography and that is the best part of it. It contains a section on Dr. BR Ambedkar's flaws, one which very few apart from Mr. Tharoor would do. The critical analysis is objective and based on the reasoned perceptions of the author and doesn't get personal or stinging. It was a worthy first read of 2023 for me.
My ratings are 5 out of 5 for anyone seeking to know about Babasaheb.
My ratings are 5 out of 5 for anyone seeking to know about Babasaheb.
October 9, 2022
This biography helps the reader to understand his life, philosophy, and his contribution in nutshell, with references and notes.
July 5, 2023
Five stars for Shashi Tharoor and a million for Dr. Ambedkar! This is a must read. This is my first book by Tharoor and also the first book about Ambedkar. I would recommend this to everyone.
October 14, 2022
What Ambedkar had achieved by the time he died at 65 would have been spectacular even for a man born in privilege. But to achieve them when he was the 14th child of a poor and untouchable family in the age which needs no description of its treatment of the Dalits, is the story for legends.
He wasn't a saint without flaws nor being the emancipator of India's Dalits the only noticeable act he should be known for. To know him is to restrict him to ideas about the depressed classes nor glorify his achievements, but rather to embrace his life and ideas as whole.
He wasn't a saint without flaws nor being the emancipator of India's Dalits the only noticeable act he should be known for. To know him is to restrict him to ideas about the depressed classes nor glorify his achievements, but rather to embrace his life and ideas as whole.
December 21, 2024
Recommended read.
April 4, 2023
ഭരണഘടനാ ധാര്മ്മികത പൗരന് ജന്മസിദ്ധമല്ല; അവന് ആര്ജ്ജിക്കുകതന്നെ വേണം
-സന്തോഷ് പല്ലശ്ശന
രാജ്യത്തെ ശക്തിപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതില് ഓരോ പൗരനും വലിയ പങ്കുണ്ട്. രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ പൊതു സ്വത്വത്തില് അലിഞ്ഞതുകൊണ്ട് ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടേയും പ്രാധാന്യം നഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നില്ല. രാജ്യവും പൗരനും പരസ്പര പൂരകങ്ങളാണ്. രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ ശക്തിപോലെതന്നെ ഓരോ വ്യക്തിയും സ്വന്തം നിലയ്ക്ക് സവിശേഷമായ ശക്തി കൈവരിക്കാനവകശമുണ്ട്. ഇതെല്ലാം അംഗീകരിക്കുന്ന, ഒരേ സമയം സാമൂഹികവും വൈയ്യക്തികവുമായ ബഹുമുഖ മാനങ്ങളുള്ള ഒരു ഭരണഘടനയാണ് നമ്മുടേത്.
ഡോ. ഭീംറാവു റാംജി അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ വലിയൊരു പങ്ക് കടുത്ത അവഗണനയുടേതായിരുന്നു. സാമൂഹിക രൂപീകരണത്തില് യാതൊരു പങ്കുമില്ലാതെ ബോംബെ ഏതെങ്കിലുമൊരു തുണിമില്ലില് തൊഴില് ചെയ്ത്, വിട്ടുമാറാത്ത് ദാരിദ്ര്യത്തില് മെലിഞ്ഞ് മരിച്ചു മണ്ണടിഞ്ഞുപോകേണ്ട ഒരാളായിരുന്നു ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കര്. ഒരു ദളിതന് അതില്കൂടുതല് ഒന്നുമാകാന് അന്നത്തെ സാമൂഹ്യ ഘടന അനുവദിച്ചിരുന്നില്ല.
അന്നത്തെ സാമൂഹ്യ നിര്മ്മിതി ഉപരിവര്ഗ്ഗത്തിന്റെ, ജാതി ഹിന്ദുക്കളുടെ ഒരു ന്യൂനപക്ഷ സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മാത്രം ഉത്തരവാദിത്തമായിരുന്നു. അതില് ബഹുഭൂരിപക്ഷം വരുന്ന അധസ്ഥിത വര്ഗ്ഗത്തിന് അക്ഷരാര്ത്ഥത്തില് ഒരു രാജ്യം തന്നെയുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. സ്വന്തമായി ഒരു ദേശമില്ലാത്തവന് ദേശത്തിന്റെ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിനുവേണ്ടി ദേശീയ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ സമരത്തിലേയ്ക്ക് എടുത്തു ചാടേണ്ടുന്ന ഒരു ഘട്ടം വരുന്നതേയില്ല. വികലമായ ഒരു സാമൂഹിക നിര്മ്മിതിയ്ക്കകത്ത് ഓരവല്ക്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട ഒരു വലിയ സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ യാതനയാണ് അംബേദ്കറെ എക്കാലവും, മറ്റെന്തിനെക്കാളും വേദനിപ്പിച്ചത്. അധസ്ഥിത ജനതയുടെ മോചനത്തിനായാണ് വിജ്ഞാന തൃഷ്ണനായ ഒരു അംബേദ്കര് ഉയര്ന്നുവരുന്നത്.
ഒട്ടും കരുണയില്ലാത്ത അപരിഷ്കൃതമായ സാമൂഹ്യ നിര്മ്മിതിക്കകത്തുനിന്ന് പൊരുതി നിന്നതിന്റെ പക അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ഓരോ സംവാദത്തിലുമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഓരോ സംവാദത്തിലും അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ അദ്ദേഹം പൊട്ടിത്തെറിച്ചു. സാമൂഹ്യ പരിഷ്ക്കര്ത്താക്കളായ, ജാതിയില് ഉയര്ന്നവരുടെ ദളിത് സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ മനശ്ശാസ്ത്രത്തെപ്പോലും അദ്ദേഹം സംശയത്തോടെയാണ് നോക്കിയിരുന്നത്. ഗാന്ധിയുടെ ഹരിജന സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ നൈതിക രാഹിത്യത്തെ അംബേദ്കര് ആഴത്തില് മനസ്സിലാക്കുകയും അതിനെതിരെ പ്രതിരോധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്നു. ഗാന്ധിയുടെ ഹരിജന സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ പൊള്ളത്തരം മനസ്സിലാക്കണമെങ്കില് അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ജീവിതവും തത്വചിന്തയും ആഴത്തില് പഠിക്കുകതന്നെവേണം.
മനുഷ്യന്റെ നൈതികബോധവും ആധുനിക മനുഷ്യനുണ്ടാക്കിയ ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികതയും ഒന്നല്ല. ജൈവീകമായ മനുഷ്യന്റെ നൈതികബോധം നിര്മ്മിച്ചെടുത്ത സമൂഹ്യ നിര്മ്മിതിയാണ് ജാതി വ്യവസ്ഥയെയും അതിന്റെ ഉച്ഛ നീചത്വങ്ങളേയും സൃഷ്ടിച്ചത്. എന്നാല് ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികത ഒരു മനുഷ്യന് ജനിക്കുമ്പോള് ഒപ്പം ജനിക്കുന്നല്ല. അവനെ ആധുനിക മനുഷ്യനാകാന് അവനെ ഈ ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികത പരിശീലിപ്പിക്കേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു.
ഡോ. ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കര് ലോകത്തിന്റെ ജൈവ ധാര്മ്മികതയുടെ (Primitive justice) അധാര്മ്മികതയെ നേരിട്ടു കാണുകയും അനുഭവിക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത മനുഷ്യനാണ്. അവിടെ നിന്നാണ് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഭരണഘടനയ്ക്ക് അംബേദ്ക്കര് രൂപം കൊടുക്കുന്നത്. ഭരണഘടനാ ധാര്മ്മികത ഒരോ മനുഷ്യനേയും പരിശീലിപ്പിക്കേണ്ട, ജനാധിപത്യ സമൂഹത്തിലെ ഒരു ജീവന കലയാണ്. അത് സ്കൂളില് ഒന്നാം തരം മുതല് കുട്ടികളെ പഠിപ്പിക്കേണ്ട ഒന്നാകുന്നു. വാക്കിലും നോക്കിലും പ്രവര്ത്തിയിലും പാലിക്കേണ്ട ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികതയെക്കുറിച്ച് കോണ്സ്റ്റിറ്റിയുന്റ് അസംബ്ലിയില് അംബേദ്കര് നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗങ്ങളില് ഊന്നിയൂന്നി പറഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്.
അംബേദ്കര്: ഒരു ജീവിതം എന്ന പുസ്തകം
എഴുത്തിലും രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തിലും ഇന്ത്യ കണ്ട വലിയ വ്യക്തിത്വങ്ങളിലൊരാളായ ശശി തരൂരിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ പുസ്തകമാണ് ഇന്ത്യന് സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മുഖ്യ ശില്പിയായ ഡോ. ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കറെക്കുറിച്ച് എഴുതിയ അംബേദ്കര്-ഒരു ജീവിതം എന്ന പുസ്തകം.
അംബേദ്ക്കറിന്റെ ജനനം, സ്കൂള്-കോളജ് ജീവിതം, ദളിത് സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മോചന പോരാട്ടങ്ങള്, ഗാന്ധിയുമായുണ്ടായ ആശയ സംഘട്ടനങ്ങള്, ജനാധിപത്യ കാഴ്ച്ചപ്പാടുകള്, ബുദ്ധമതത്തിലേയ്ക്കുള്ള പരിവര്ത്തനം തുടങ്ങിയവയെക്കുറിച്ച് ഏറെക്കുറെ സംക്ഷിപ്തവും എന്നാല് സുപ്രധാനമായ ഘട്ടങ്ങളില് ഏറെക്കുറെ സമഗ്രവുമായി പ്രതിപാദിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ഗ്രന്ഥമാണിത്.
അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ കൃതികളിലൂടെ സഞ്ചരിക്കാനും ആഴത്തില് ഉള്ക്കൊള്ളാനുമുള്ള ഒരു പ്രചോദനം ഒരോ സാധാരണ വായനക്കാരനും നല്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ നന്മ.
ഗോത്രനീതിയില് നിന്ന് ജനാധിപത്യ മൂല്യങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്ക്
മഹാത്മാ ഗാന്ധിയുമായി കലഹിക്കുക എന്നത് ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ഒരു ചരിത്ര ദൗത്യമായിരുന്നു. ഹിന്ദുമതത്തിന്റെ വര���ണ്ണാശ്രമ ധര്മ്മത്തിനകത്തെ കറകളെ മായ്ച്ചു കളയുകയും എന്നാല് ആ ഗോത്രനീതിയെ അതേ പടി നിലല്നിര്ത്തിക്കൊണ്ട് ഒരു ഹിന്ദു ഐക്യം സ്ഥാപിച്ചെടുക്കാനുമുള്ള ഗാന്ധിയുടെ ചിന്തയുമായി അംബേദ്കറിന് കലഹിക്കാതിരിക്കുക സാധ്യമല്ലായിരുന്നു. ജന്മംതന്നെ ഒരു കുറ്റമാകുന്ന ദളിത് ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ അവസ്ഥകളില് നിന്നുകൊണ്ട് ഒരിക്കലും ഗാന്ധിയന് ധാര്മ്മികതയെ മഹത്തരമായി കാണാന് അംബേദ്കറിനു സാധിക്കുമായിരുന്നില്ല. പൂനെ പാക്ട് എന്നറിയപ്പെട്ട-ദളിതര്ക്കുള്ള പ്രത്യേക നിയോജക മണ്ഡലമെന്ന ആശയത്തിനെതിരെ ഗാന്ധി നടത്തിയ നിരാഹാര സമരവും അതു��ര്ത്തി സഹതാപ തരംഗവും പിന്നീട് ഗാന്ധി നേടിയ വിജയവുമൊക്കെ താല്ക്കാലികമായിരുന്നു. ഈ നിലപാടില് അംബേദ്ക്കറാണ് ശരിയെന്ന് പിന്നീട് കാലം തെളിയിച്ചു. ഇന്നും രാജ്യത്ത് ഒരിടത്തും ഒരു ജനറല് സീറ്റിലും ദളിതന് മത്സരിച്ചു ജിയിക്കുന്നത് കാണാന് സാധിക്കില്ല. ഗാന്ധിയാണോ അംബേദ്കറാണൊ ശരി എന്നതല്ല ഇവിടെ വിഷയം രണ്ടുപേരുടേയും ആശയ സംഘട്ടനങ്ങളുടെ ഗുണം ഈ രാജ്യത്തിനു ലഭിച്ചു എന്നതുതന്നെയാണ് ഒരു ചരിത്ര വിദ്യാര്ത്ഥി മനസ്സിലേക്കേണ്ടത്.
അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ നാലു വീഴ്ചകള്
അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ വീഴ്ചകളെ ചുണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കാനായി മാത്രം ശശി തരൂര് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തില് ഏതാനു താളുകള് വെറുതെ കളഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഗ്രന്ഥകാരന് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കുന്ന വീഴ്ചകളെ ഗ്രന്ഥകാരന്തന്നെ പിന്നീട് പ്രതിരോധിക്കുന്നതും കാണുന്നുണ്ട്. അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ അവസാന കാലത്ത് നടത്തിയ സംവാദത്തിന്റെ ചില അടരുകളെടുത്ത് നടത്തുന്ന വിമര്ശനങ്ങള് വിവേകിയായ ഒരു വായനക്കാരന് തീര്ച്ചയായും തള്ളിക്കളയുകതന്നെ ചെയ്യും. അരുണ് ഷൂരിയെപോലെയുള്ളവരുടെ വാക്കുകളെ കൂട്ടുപിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് അംബേദ്കര് ഒരു ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് സ്നേഹിയാണെന്ന് സ്ഥാപിക്കാന് ശ്രമിക്കുകയും പരാജയപ്പെടുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ട് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തില്.
ഇന്ത്യയുടെ മേല് ബ്രിട്ടീഷുകാര് നടത്തിയ കൊളോണിയല് ചൂഷണത്തെ എണ്ണിയെണ്ണി പറഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ടുള്ളതാണ് കൊളംബിയ യുണിവേഴ്സിറ്റിയില് അംബേദ്കര് സമര്പ്പിച്ച ഗവേഷണ പ്രബന്ധംതന്നെ. വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം സിദ്ധിക്കുന്നതിനൊ, തൊഴില് സമ്പാദിക്കുന്നതിനൊ, എന്തിന് പൊതു ടാപ്പില് നിന്ന് വെള്ളം ശേഖരിക്കുന്നതിനൊ പോലും അവകാശമില്ലാത്ത ഒരു ജനതയുടെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ശത്രു അവന് നിലനില്ക്കുന്ന ആ സമൂഹം തന്നെയാണ്. ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ സഹായത്തോടെ ദളിതന്റെ സാമൂഹ്യ സ്ഥിതിയില് കാതലായ മാറ്റം കൊണ്ടുവരാന് അംബേദ്കര് ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു. ഗാന്ധിയുടെകൂടെ ദേശീയ സമരത്തില് ഇറങ്ങിയിരുന്നുവെങ്കില് ദളിത് ജനതയുടെ സ്ഥിതി ഇതിലും പരിതാപകരമാകുമായിരുന്നു എന്ന് അംബേദ്കറെന്ന വിവേകശാലിക്ക് ഉറപ്പായിരുന്നു.
ബറോഡ മഹാരാജാവായ സയാജി റാവോ ഗെയ്ക്വാഡിന്റെ സഹായത്തോടെ പഠിച്ച്, അവിടെത്തന്നെ ഫൈനാന്സ് മിനിസ്റ്ററായി ജോലി ചെയ്യവെ അംബേദ്ക്കര്ക്ക് ഒരു കോപ്പ വെള്ളംപോലും കൊടുക്കാന് തയ്യാറാകാതിരുന്ന ജാതി ഹിന്ദുവായ പ്യൂണിനെക്കുറിച്ച് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിലും ഏറെക്കുറെ വിശദമായി ധനഞ്ജയ് കീര് എഴുതിയ അംബേദ്ക്കറുടെ ജീവ ചരിത്രത്തിലും പറയുന്നുണ്ട്. ഒരു 'മനുഷ്യന്' എന്നുള്ള നിലയ്ക്കുള്ള ഒരു സാമൂഹിക അംഗീകരാമായിരുന്നു അംബേദ്കര് ലക്ഷ്യം വെച്ചിരുന്നത്.
ഗാന്ധിയും ദാമോദര് സവര്ക്കറുമൊക്കെ ഹിന്ദുമതത്തില് നിന്ന് വര്ണ്ണവെറിയുടെ കറയെ കഴുകിക്കളഞ്ഞ് ഹിന്ദുമത്തെ സുരക്ഷിതമാക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യത്തിനുവേണ്ടി പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ചവരായിരുന്നു. ആദ്യ ഘട്ടത്തില് അംബേദ്ക്കറും സവര്ക്കറുമായി സഹകരിച്ചു പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ചിരുന്നു. അംബേദ്ക്കര് ആരുമായി സഹകരിക്കുമ്പോഴും ഒരേയൊരു ലക്ഷ്യമേയുണ്ടായിരുന്നുള്ളു. തന്റെ ജനതയെ യാതനകളില് നിന്ന് മോചിപ്പിക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യം മാത്രം. ഗാന്ധി ഹിന്ദുമതത്തിന്റെ കറകള് കഴുകിക്കളഞ്ഞ്, പരിഷ്കരിച്ച് അനശ്വരമാക്കാനാഗ്രഹിച്ചപ്പോള് ദാമോദര് സവര്ക്കര് എന്ന നിരീശ്വരവാദി 'ഹിന്ദുത്വ' എന്ന രാഷ്ട്രീയ തത്വശാസ്ത്രത്തിലൂടെ ഹിന്ദുക്കള്ക്കുമാത്രമായി ഒരു ദേശത്തെ സൃഷ്ടിക്കാനും അപരമതത്തെ വെറുക്കാനും പഠിപ്പിച്ചു. അംബേദ്കര് എന്ന ദളിത് മിശിഹ, സവര്ക്കറുമായി സഹകരിക്കുന്നത് ദളിതുകള്ക്കു ലഭിക്കേണ്ട സാമൂഹിക അംഗീകാരത്തെ സംബന്ധിച്ചുമാത്രമാണ്. എന്നാലിന്ന് പലരും സവര്ക്കറെ വെള്ളപൂശാനായി ഈ ചരിത്ര ദശാസന്ധിയെ അംബേദ്കറുമായി കൂട്ടിക്കെട്ടുന്നതിനായി ഉപയോഗിച്ചു കാണുന്നുണ്ട്.
ഇന്ത്യന് ഭരണഘടന ഒരിക്കലും പരാജയപ്പെടുകയില്ല
അംബേദ്ക്കര് കോണ്സ്റ്റിയുവന്റ് അസംബ്ലിയില് പറയുന്നുണ്ട് 'ഈ ഭരണഘടന ഒരിക്കലും പരാജയപ്പെടുകയില്ല. പക്ഷെ നമ്മള് പരാജയപ്പെടാം.' ഗോത്ര നീതിയും ജാതി ഹിന്ദുവും തന്റെ പ്രാകൃതമായ സാമൂഹിക നിര്മ്മിതിയുമായി തിരിച്ചുവരുന്ന നിമിഷം നമ്മുടെ രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെടുകതന്നെ ചെയ്യും. ഭരണഘടന എന്നത് ഒരു പ്രാകൃത നീതിയല്ല എന്നതുകൊണ്ടാണ് അങ്ങിനെ സംഭവിക്കുന്നത്. പൗരന് ഭരണഘടനാ ധാര്മ്മികതയില് നിന്ന് അകന്നുപോയാല്, ഒരു ജനാധിപത്യ പൗരന്റെ കടമയും ഉത്തരവാദിത്വവും അതിന്റെ സെക്യുലര് മൂല്യങ്ങളും പഠിക്കാതെ വന്നാല് രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെടാം, പക്ഷെ ഭരണഘടന പരാജയമല്ല. ഫാസിസത്തിന് നിലനില്പ്പില്ല. അടിച്ചമര്ത്തപ്പെടുന്ന പൗരന്റെ ഉയര്ത്തെഴുന്നേല്പ്പ് ആധുനികമായ ജനാധിപത്യ മൂല്യങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്കുതന്നെയായിരിക്കും.
ഭരണഘടന മൂല്യങ്ങളെ സ്റ്റേറ്റിനു കീഴില് അതിനെ സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്ന ഒരു നിയമവ്യവസ്ഥയിലൂടെ നിലനിര്ത്തുന്നു. രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെടുന്നതെപ്പോഴാണ്? സ്റ്റേറ്റ് ഭരണഘടന മൂല്യങ്ങളില് നിന്ന് വ്യതിചലിക്കുകയും ലെജിസ്ലേച്ചറും, എക്സിക്യുട്ടീവും, ജുഡീഷ്യറിയും വഴിതെറ്റുന്ന ഒരു സാഹചര്യം വന്നാല് രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെട്ടേക്കാം. അത് ഭരണഘടനയുടെ കുഴപ്പമല്ല. ഇന്ത്യ ഇന്ന് നേരിടുന്ന പ്രതിസന്ധി ഭരണഘടനയുടേതല്ല... രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ പരാജയമാണ്... ജനതയുടെ പരാജയമാണ്.
ഭൂരിപക്ഷ വര്ഗ്ഗീയതയുടെ തിരിച്ചുവരവിന്റെ കാലത്ത് അംബേദ്ക്കറുടെ ജീവിതത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് വായിക്കുന്നതും പഠിക്കുന്നതും ഒരു വലിയ രാഷ്ട്രീയ പ്രവര്ത്തനമാണ് എന്ന് വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു. അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിന് ഏറെ പ്രസക്തിയുണ്ട്.
ലിന്സി കെ. തങ്കപ്പന്റെ മലയാള ഭാഷാന്തരം അല്പം കല്ലുകടിയായി അനുഭവപ്പെട്ടു എന്നു പറയേണ്ടി വരുന്നതില് ദുഖമുണ്ട്. പലയിടത്തും വായനയുടെ ഒഴുക്കിനെ തടസപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു. ഗൂഗിള് ട്രാന്സ്ലേറ്ററുപയോഗിച്ച് ഭാഷാന്തരം നടത്തിയതാണൊ എന്നുപോലും അതിശയിച്ചുപോകുന്ന വാക്യ ഘടന പലയിടങ്ങളിലും വായനയെ തടസപ്പെടുത്തി. വരും പതിപ്പുകളില് ഈ പ്രശ്നം പരിഹരിക്കുമെന്ന് പ്രത്യാശിക്കാം. കാരണം ഈ പുസ്തകം എക്കാലവും നിലനില്ക്കേണ്ടത് നമ്മുടെ ആവശ്യമാണ്.
പുസ്തകം: അംബേദ്കര്: ഒരു ജീവിതം
ഗ്രന്ഥകര്ത്താവ്: ശശി തരൂര്
വിവര്ത്തനം: ലിന്സി കെ. തങ്കപ്പന്
പ്രസാധകര്: ഡിസി ബുക്സ്, കോട്ടയം
പേജുകള്: 280
വില: 340 ക.
-സന്തോഷ് പല്ലശ്ശന
രാജ്യത്തെ ശക്തിപ്പെടുത്തുന്നതില് ഓരോ പൗരനും വലിയ പങ്കുണ്ട്. രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ പൊതു സ്വത്വത്തില് അലിഞ്ഞതുകൊണ്ട് ഒരു വ്യക്തിയുടേയും പ്രാധാന്യം നഷ്ടപ്പെടുന്നില്ല. രാജ്യവും പൗരനും പരസ്പര പൂരകങ്ങളാണ്. രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ ശക്തിപോലെതന്നെ ഓരോ വ്യക്തിയും സ്വന്തം നിലയ്ക്ക് സവിശേഷമായ ശക്തി കൈവരിക്കാനവകശമുണ്ട്. ഇതെല്ലാം അംഗീകരിക്കുന്ന, ഒരേ സമയം സാമൂഹികവും വൈയ്യക്തികവുമായ ബഹുമുഖ മാനങ്ങളുള്ള ഒരു ഭരണഘടനയാണ് നമ്മുടേത്.
ഡോ. ഭീംറാവു റാംജി അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ വലിയൊരു പങ്ക് കടുത്ത അവഗണനയുടേതായിരുന്നു. സാമൂഹിക രൂപീകരണത്തില് യാതൊരു പങ്കുമില്ലാതെ ബോംബെ ഏതെങ്കിലുമൊരു തുണിമില്ലില് തൊഴില് ചെയ്ത്, വിട്ടുമാറാത്ത് ദാരിദ്ര്യത്തില് മെലിഞ്ഞ് മരിച്ചു മണ്ണടിഞ്ഞുപോകേണ്ട ഒരാളായിരുന്നു ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കര്. ഒരു ദളിതന് അതില്കൂടുതല് ഒന്നുമാകാന് അന്നത്തെ സാമൂഹ്യ ഘടന അനുവദിച്ചിരുന്നില്ല.
അന്നത്തെ സാമൂഹ്യ നിര്മ്മിതി ഉപരിവര്ഗ്ഗത്തിന്റെ, ജാതി ഹിന്ദുക്കളുടെ ഒരു ന്യൂനപക്ഷ സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മാത്രം ഉത്തരവാദിത്തമായിരുന്നു. അതില് ബഹുഭൂരിപക്ഷം വരുന്ന അധസ്ഥിത വര്ഗ്ഗത്തിന് അക്ഷരാര്ത്ഥത്തില് ഒരു രാജ്യം തന്നെയുണ്ടായിരുന്നില്ല. സ്വന്തമായി ഒരു ദേശമില്ലാത്തവന് ദേശത്തിന്റെ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യത്തിനുവേണ്ടി ദേശീയ സ്വാതന്ത്ര്യ സമരത്തിലേയ്ക്ക് എടുത്തു ചാടേണ്ടുന്ന ഒരു ഘട്ടം വരുന്നതേയില്ല. വികലമായ ഒരു സാമൂഹിക നിര്മ്മിതിയ്ക്കകത്ത് ഓരവല്ക്കരിക്കപ്പെട്ട ഒരു വലിയ സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ യാതനയാണ് അംബേദ്കറെ എക്കാലവും, മറ്റെന്തിനെക്കാളും വേദനിപ്പിച്ചത്. അധസ്ഥിത ജനതയുടെ മോചനത്തിനായാണ് വിജ്ഞാന തൃഷ്ണനായ ഒരു അംബേദ്കര് ഉയര്ന്നുവരുന്നത്.
ഒട്ടും കരുണയില്ലാത്ത അപരിഷ്കൃതമായ സാമൂഹ്യ നിര്മ്മിതിക്കകത്തുനിന്ന് പൊരുതി നിന്നതിന്റെ പക അദ്ദേഹത്തിന്റെ ഓരോ സംവാദത്തിലുമുണ്ടായിരുന്നു. ഓരോ സംവാദത്തിലും അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ അദ്ദേഹം പൊട്ടിത്തെറിച്ചു. സാമൂഹ്യ പരിഷ്ക്കര്ത്താക്കളായ, ജാതിയില് ഉയര്ന്നവരുടെ ദളിത് സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ മനശ്ശാസ്ത്രത്തെപ്പോലും അദ്ദേഹം സംശയത്തോടെയാണ് നോക്കിയിരുന്നത്. ഗാന്ധിയുടെ ഹരിജന സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ നൈതിക രാഹിത്യത്തെ അംബേദ്കര് ആഴത്തില് മനസ്സിലാക്കുകയും അതിനെതിരെ പ്രതിരോധിക്കുകയും ചെയ്തിരുന്നു. ഗാന്ധിയുടെ ഹരിജന സ്നേഹത്തിന്റെ പൊള്ളത്തരം മനസ്സിലാക്കണമെങ്കില് അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ജീവിതവും തത്വചിന്തയും ആഴത്തില് പഠിക്കുകതന്നെവേണം.
മനുഷ്യന്റെ നൈതികബോധവും ആധുനിക മനുഷ്യനുണ്ടാക്കിയ ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികതയും ഒന്നല്ല. ജൈവീകമായ മനുഷ്യന്റെ നൈതികബോധം നിര്മ്മിച്ചെടുത്ത സമൂഹ്യ നിര്മ്മിതിയാണ് ജാതി വ്യവസ്ഥയെയും അതിന്റെ ഉച്ഛ നീചത്വങ്ങളേയും സൃഷ്ടിച്ചത്. എന്നാല് ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികത ഒരു മനുഷ്യന് ജനിക്കുമ്പോള് ഒപ്പം ജനിക്കുന്നല്ല. അവനെ ആധുനിക മനുഷ്യനാകാന് അവനെ ഈ ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികത പരിശീലിപ്പിക്കേണ്ടിയിരിക്കുന്നു.
ഡോ. ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കര് ലോകത്തിന്റെ ജൈവ ധാര്മ്മികതയുടെ (Primitive justice) അധാര്മ്മികതയെ നേരിട്ടു കാണുകയും അനുഭവിക്കുകയും ചെയ്ത മനുഷ്യനാണ്. അവിടെ നിന്നാണ് ഇന്ത്യയുടെ ഭരണഘടനയ്ക്ക് അംബേദ്ക്കര് രൂപം കൊടുക്കുന്നത്. ഭരണഘടനാ ധാര്മ്മികത ഒരോ മനുഷ്യനേയും പരിശീലിപ്പിക്കേണ്ട, ജനാധിപത്യ സമൂഹത്തിലെ ഒരു ജീവന കലയാണ്. അത് സ്കൂളില് ഒന്നാം തരം മുതല് കുട്ടികളെ പഠിപ്പിക്കേണ്ട ഒന്നാകുന്നു. വാക്കിലും നോക്കിലും പ്രവര്ത്തിയിലും പാലിക്കേണ്ട ജനാധിപത്യ ധാര്മ്മികതയെക്കുറിച്ച് കോണ്സ്റ്റിറ്റിയുന്റ് അസംബ്ലിയില് അംബേദ്കര് നടത്തിയ പ്രസംഗങ്ങളില് ഊന്നിയൂന്നി പറഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്.
അംബേദ്കര്: ഒരു ജീവിതം എന്ന പുസ്തകം
എഴുത്തിലും രാഷ്ട്രീയത്തിലും ഇന്ത്യ കണ്ട വലിയ വ്യക്തിത്വങ്ങളിലൊരാളായ ശശി തരൂരിന്റെ ഏറ്റവും പുതിയ പുസ്തകമാണ് ഇന്ത്യന് സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മുഖ്യ ശില്പിയായ ഡോ. ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കറെക്കുറിച്ച് എഴുതിയ അംബേദ്കര്-ഒരു ജീവിതം എന്ന പുസ്തകം.
അംബേദ്ക്കറിന്റെ ജനനം, സ്കൂള്-കോളജ് ജീവിതം, ദളിത് സമൂഹത്തിന്റെ മോചന പോരാട്ടങ്ങള്, ഗാന്ധിയുമായുണ്ടായ ആശയ സംഘട്ടനങ്ങള്, ജനാധിപത്യ കാഴ്ച്ചപ്പാടുകള്, ബുദ്ധമതത്തിലേയ്ക്കുള്ള പരിവര്ത്തനം തുടങ്ങിയവയെക്കുറിച്ച് ഏറെക്കുറെ സംക്ഷിപ്തവും എന്നാല് സുപ്രധാനമായ ഘട്ടങ്ങളില് ഏറെക്കുറെ സമഗ്രവുമായി പ്രതിപാദിക്കുന്ന ഒരു ഗ്രന്ഥമാണിത്.
അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ കൃതികളിലൂടെ സഞ്ചരിക്കാനും ആഴത്തില് ഉള്ക്കൊള്ളാനുമുള്ള ഒരു പ്രചോദനം ഒരോ സാധാരണ വായനക്കാരനും നല്കുന്നു എന്നതാണ് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിന്റെ നന്മ.
ഗോത്രനീതിയില് നിന്ന് ജനാധിപത്യ മൂല്യങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്ക്
മഹാത്മാ ഗാന്ധിയുമായി കലഹിക്കുക എന്നത് ബി. ആര്. അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ഒരു ചരിത്ര ദൗത്യമായിരുന്നു. ഹിന്ദുമതത്തിന്റെ വര���ണ്ണാശ്രമ ധര്മ്മത്തിനകത്തെ കറകളെ മായ്ച്ചു കളയുകയും എന്നാല് ആ ഗോത്രനീതിയെ അതേ പടി നിലല്നിര്ത്തിക്കൊണ്ട് ഒരു ഹിന്ദു ഐക്യം സ്ഥാപിച്ചെടുക്കാനുമുള്ള ഗാന്ധിയുടെ ചിന്തയുമായി അംബേദ്കറിന് കലഹിക്കാതിരിക്കുക സാധ്യമല്ലായിരുന്നു. ജന്മംതന്നെ ഒരു കുറ്റമാകുന്ന ദളിത് ജീവിതത്തിന്റെ അവസ്ഥകളില് നിന്നുകൊണ്ട് ഒരിക്കലും ഗാന്ധിയന് ധാര്മ്മികതയെ മഹത്തരമായി കാണാന് അംബേദ്കറിനു സാധിക്കുമായിരുന്നില്ല. പൂനെ പാക്ട് എന്നറിയപ്പെട്ട-ദളിതര്ക്കുള്ള പ്രത്യേക നിയോജക മണ്ഡലമെന്ന ആശയത്തിനെതിരെ ഗാന്ധി നടത്തിയ നിരാഹാര സമരവും അതു��ര്ത്തി സഹതാപ തരംഗവും പിന്നീട് ഗാന്ധി നേടിയ വിജയവുമൊക്കെ താല്ക്കാലികമായിരുന്നു. ഈ നിലപാടില് അംബേദ്ക്കറാണ് ശരിയെന്ന് പിന്നീട് കാലം തെളിയിച്ചു. ഇന്നും രാജ്യത്ത് ഒരിടത്തും ഒരു ജനറല് സീറ്റിലും ദളിതന് മത്സരിച്ചു ജിയിക്കുന്നത് കാണാന് സാധിക്കില്ല. ഗാന്ധിയാണോ അംബേദ്കറാണൊ ശരി എന്നതല്ല ഇവിടെ വിഷയം രണ്ടുപേരുടേയും ആശയ സംഘട്ടനങ്ങളുടെ ഗുണം ഈ രാജ്യത്തിനു ലഭിച്ചു എന്നതുതന്നെയാണ് ഒരു ചരിത്ര വിദ്യാര്ത്ഥി മനസ്സിലേക്കേണ്ടത്.
അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ നാലു വീഴ്ചകള്
അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ ജീവിതത്തിലെ വീഴ്ചകളെ ചുണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കാനായി മാത്രം ശശി തരൂര് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തില് ഏതാനു താളുകള് വെറുതെ കളഞ്ഞിട്ടുണ്ട്. ഗ്രന്ഥകാരന് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിക്കുന്ന വീഴ്ചകളെ ഗ്രന്ഥകാരന്തന്നെ പിന്നീട് പ്രതിരോധിക്കുന്നതും കാണുന്നുണ്ട്. അംബേദ്കറിന്റെ അവസാന കാലത്ത് നടത്തിയ സംവാദത്തിന്റെ ചില അടരുകളെടുത്ത് നടത്തുന്ന വിമര്ശനങ്ങള് വിവേകിയായ ഒരു വായനക്കാരന് തീര്ച്ചയായും തള്ളിക്കളയുകതന്നെ ചെയ്യും. അരുണ് ഷൂരിയെപോലെയുള്ളവരുടെ വാക്കുകളെ കൂട്ടുപിടിച്ചുകൊണ്ട് അംബേദ്കര് ഒരു ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് സ്നേഹിയാണെന്ന് സ്ഥാപിക്കാന് ശ്രമിക്കുകയും പരാജയപ്പെടുകയും ചെയ്യുന്നുണ്ട് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തില്.
ഇന്ത്യയുടെ മേല് ബ്രിട്ടീഷുകാര് നടത്തിയ കൊളോണിയല് ചൂഷണത്തെ എണ്ണിയെണ്ണി പറഞ്ഞുകൊണ്ടുള്ളതാണ് കൊളംബിയ യുണിവേഴ്സിറ്റിയില് അംബേദ്കര് സമര്പ്പിച്ച ഗവേഷണ പ്രബന്ധംതന്നെ. വിദ്യാഭ്യാസം സിദ്ധിക്കുന്നതിനൊ, തൊഴില് സമ്പാദിക്കുന്നതിനൊ, എന്തിന് പൊതു ടാപ്പില് നിന്ന് വെള്ളം ശേഖരിക്കുന്നതിനൊ പോലും അവകാശമില്ലാത്ത ഒരു ജനതയുടെ ഏറ്റവും വലിയ ശത്രു അവന് നിലനില്ക്കുന്ന ആ സമൂഹം തന്നെയാണ്. ബ്രിട്ടീഷ് ഗവണ്മെന്റിന്റെ സഹായത്തോടെ ദളിതന്റെ സാമൂഹ്യ സ്ഥിതിയില് കാതലായ മാറ്റം കൊണ്ടുവരാന് അംബേദ്കര് ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു. ഗാന്ധിയുടെകൂടെ ദേശീയ സമരത്തില് ഇറങ്ങിയിരുന്നുവെങ്കില് ദളിത് ജനതയുടെ സ്ഥിതി ഇതിലും പരിതാപകരമാകുമായിരുന്നു എന്ന് അംബേദ്കറെന്ന വിവേകശാലിക്ക് ഉറപ്പായിരുന്നു.
ബറോഡ മഹാരാജാവായ സയാജി റാവോ ഗെയ്ക്വാഡിന്റെ സഹായത്തോടെ പഠിച്ച്, അവിടെത്തന്നെ ഫൈനാന്സ് മിനിസ്റ്ററായി ജോലി ചെയ്യവെ അംബേദ്ക്കര്ക്ക് ഒരു കോപ്പ വെള്ളംപോലും കൊടുക്കാന് തയ്യാറാകാതിരുന്ന ജാതി ഹിന്ദുവായ പ്യൂണിനെക്കുറിച്ച് ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിലും ഏറെക്കുറെ വിശദമായി ധനഞ്ജയ് കീര് എഴുതിയ അംബേദ്ക്കറുടെ ജീവ ചരിത്രത്തിലും പറയുന്നുണ്ട്. ഒരു 'മനുഷ്യന്' എന്നുള്ള നിലയ്ക്കുള്ള ഒരു സാമൂഹിക അംഗീകരാമായിരുന്നു അംബേദ്കര് ലക്ഷ്യം വെച്ചിരുന്നത്.
ഗാന്ധിയും ദാമോദര് സവര്ക്കറുമൊക്കെ ഹിന്ദുമതത്തില് നിന്ന് വര്ണ്ണവെറിയുടെ കറയെ കഴുകിക്കളഞ്ഞ് ഹിന്ദുമത്തെ സുരക്ഷിതമാക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യത്തിനുവേണ്ടി പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ചവരായിരുന്നു. ആദ്യ ഘട്ടത്തില് അംബേദ്ക്കറും സവര്ക്കറുമായി സഹകരിച്ചു പ്രവര്ത്തിച്ചിരുന്നു. അംബേദ്ക്കര് ആരുമായി സഹകരിക്കുമ്പോഴും ഒരേയൊരു ലക്ഷ്യമേയുണ്ടായിരുന്നുള്ളു. തന്റെ ജനതയെ യാതനകളില് നിന്ന് മോചിപ്പിക്കുക എന്ന ലക്ഷ്യം മാത്രം. ഗാന്ധി ഹിന്ദുമതത്തിന്റെ കറകള് കഴുകിക്കളഞ്ഞ്, പരിഷ്കരിച്ച് അനശ്വരമാക്കാനാഗ്രഹിച്ചപ്പോള് ദാമോദര് സവര്ക്കര് എന്ന നിരീശ്വരവാദി 'ഹിന്ദുത്വ' എന്ന രാഷ്ട്രീയ തത്വശാസ്ത്രത്തിലൂടെ ഹിന്ദുക്കള്ക്കുമാത്രമായി ഒരു ദേശത്തെ സൃഷ്ടിക്കാനും അപരമതത്തെ വെറുക്കാനും പഠിപ്പിച്ചു. അംബേദ്കര് എന്ന ദളിത് മിശിഹ, സവര്ക്കറുമായി സഹകരിക്കുന്നത് ദളിതുകള്ക്കു ലഭിക്കേണ്ട സാമൂഹിക അംഗീകാരത്തെ സംബന്ധിച്ചുമാത്രമാണ്. എന്നാലിന്ന് പലരും സവര്ക്കറെ വെള്ളപൂശാനായി ഈ ചരിത്ര ദശാസന്ധിയെ അംബേദ്കറുമായി കൂട്ടിക്കെട്ടുന്നതിനായി ഉപയോഗിച്ചു കാണുന്നുണ്ട്.
ഇന്ത്യന് ഭരണഘടന ഒരിക്കലും പരാജയപ്പെടുകയില്ല
അംബേദ്ക്കര് കോണ്സ്റ്റിയുവന്റ് അസംബ്ലിയില് പറയുന്നുണ്ട് 'ഈ ഭരണഘടന ഒരിക്കലും പരാജയപ്പെടുകയില്ല. പക്ഷെ നമ്മള് പരാജയപ്പെടാം.' ഗോത്ര നീതിയും ജാതി ഹിന്ദുവും തന്റെ പ്രാകൃതമായ സാമൂഹിക നിര്മ്മിതിയുമായി തിരിച്ചുവരുന്ന നിമിഷം നമ്മുടെ രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെടുകതന്നെ ചെയ്യും. ഭരണഘടന എന്നത് ഒരു പ്രാകൃത നീതിയല്ല എന്നതുകൊണ്ടാണ് അങ്ങിനെ സംഭവിക്കുന്നത്. പൗരന് ഭരണഘടനാ ധാര്മ്മികതയില് നിന്ന് അകന്നുപോയാല്, ഒരു ജനാധിപത്യ പൗരന്റെ കടമയും ഉത്തരവാദിത്വവും അതിന്റെ സെക്യുലര് മൂല്യങ്ങളും പഠിക്കാതെ വന്നാല് രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെടാം, പക്ഷെ ഭരണഘടന പരാജയമല്ല. ഫാസിസത്തിന് നിലനില്പ്പില്ല. അടിച്ചമര്ത്തപ്പെടുന്ന പൗരന്റെ ഉയര്ത്തെഴുന്നേല്പ്പ് ആധുനികമായ ജനാധിപത്യ മൂല്യങ്ങളിലേയ്ക്കുതന്നെയായിരിക്കും.
ഭരണഘടന മൂല്യങ്ങളെ സ്റ്റേറ്റിനു കീഴില് അതിനെ സംരക്ഷിക്കുന്ന ഒരു നിയമവ്യവസ്ഥയിലൂടെ നിലനിര്ത്തുന്നു. രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെടുന്നതെപ്പോഴാണ്? സ്റ്റേറ്റ് ഭരണഘടന മൂല്യങ്ങളില് നിന്ന് വ്യതിചലിക്കുകയും ലെജിസ്ലേച്ചറും, എക്സിക്യുട്ടീവും, ജുഡീഷ്യറിയും വഴിതെറ്റുന്ന ഒരു സാഹചര്യം വന്നാല് രാജ്യം പരാജയപ്പെട്ടേക്കാം. അത് ഭരണഘടനയുടെ കുഴപ്പമല്ല. ഇന്ത്യ ഇന്ന് നേരിടുന്ന പ്രതിസന്ധി ഭരണഘടനയുടേതല്ല... രാജ്യത്തിന്റെ പരാജയമാണ്... ജനതയുടെ പരാജയമാണ്.
ഭൂരിപക്ഷ വര്ഗ്ഗീയതയുടെ തിരിച്ചുവരവിന്റെ കാലത്ത് അംബേദ്ക്കറുടെ ജീവിതത്തെക്കുറിച്ച് വായിക്കുന്നതും പഠിക്കുന്നതും ഒരു വലിയ രാഷ്ട്രീയ പ്രവര്ത്തനമാണ് എന്ന് വിശ്വസിക്കുന്നു. അതുകൊണ്ടുതന്നെ ഈ പുസ്തകത്തിന് ഏറെ പ്രസക്തിയുണ്ട്.
ലിന്സി കെ. തങ്കപ്പന്റെ മലയാള ഭാഷാന്തരം അല്പം കല്ലുകടിയായി അനുഭവപ്പെട്ടു എന്നു പറയേണ്ടി വരുന്നതില് ദുഖമുണ്ട്. പലയിടത്തും വായനയുടെ ഒഴുക്കിനെ തടസപ്പെടുത്തുന്നു. ഗൂഗിള് ട്രാന്സ്ലേറ്ററുപയോഗിച്ച് ഭാഷാന്തരം നടത്തിയതാണൊ എന്നുപോലും അതിശയിച്ചുപോകുന്ന വാക്യ ഘടന പലയിടങ്ങളിലും വായനയെ തടസപ്പെടുത്തി. വരും പതിപ്പുകളില് ഈ പ്രശ്നം പരിഹരിക്കുമെന്ന് പ്രത്യാശിക്കാം. കാരണം ഈ പുസ്തകം എക്കാലവും നിലനില്ക്കേണ്ടത് നമ്മുടെ ആവശ്യമാണ്.
പുസ്തകം: അംബേദ്കര്: ഒരു ജീവിതം
ഗ്രന്ഥകര്ത്താവ്: ശശി തരൂര്
വിവര്ത്തനം: ലിന്സി കെ. തങ്കപ്പന്
പ്രസാധകര്: ഡിസി ബുക്സ്, കോട്ടയം
പേജുകള്: 280
വില: 340 ക.
May 18, 2025
One of the key designers of contemporary India, Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, is still regarded as the most important figure in the nation's social and political life. He is one of the few political leaders whose reputation has only increased since his passing over 60 years ago. Ambedkar's most significant identity throughout his life was that of the emancipator of the oppressed classes. He was a distinguished jurist, a brilliant lawyer, an accomplished academician, an insightful thinker, a remarkable institution builder, a prolific author, a successful politician, and a dedicated reformist. Ironically, there has been a tendency to categorise him as a Dalit leader even though he had many other aspects of his personality. Tharoor writes to correct this anomaly and offers a picture of Ambedkar that is not hagiographic. He presents him as a human and a political leader with his due share of failings.
The book "Ambedkar: A Life" by Shashi Tharoor is a valuable supplement to the body of knowledge already available on Ambedkar. The author of over two dozen books, Tharoor, provides the reader with a brief overview of Ambedkar's life with this balanced, albeit brief biography. As the book explores many facets of his life, it becomes evident that Ambedkar was fundamentally a person who understood early on that he and his people could only be freed from the bonds of caste by changing the structure of the society, empowered by education. In his calculus, the struggle for emancipation of the untouchables took precedence over the call for freedom from the British. The book is written into two sections; the first provides background information about Babasaheb's life, including his numerous hardships and achievements, while the latter half deconstructs his legacy.
One question that constantly struck me while reading the book was what explains the ever-growing popularity of the man who, in his lifetime, faced so much disdain. Ambedkar had sharp disagreements with Gandhi, something he never made a secret of; he was highly critical of the Congress leadership and its methodologies, and he virtually despised communists about whom he famously said, "I don't want my people to fall under the sway of communists." To Hindu traditionalists, he was a never-ending source of agitation. At the same time, his unsavoury views on Islam, the religion he called "a closed corporation", continue to be the subject of intense debate even today. Despite so many ideological disagreements, some bordering on bitterness, with principal stakeholders of the time, Ambedkar today, in the author's words, "has entered the rare pantheon of unchallengeable…nearly seven decades after his death, he keeps on growing."
This growing supremacy of Ambedkar in our national discourse has very much to do with the ideas he stood for in his lifetime and their enduring appeal in our contemporary socio-political discourse. It should not be unfair to say that the challenges that Ambedkar faced in his lifetime pervade our society even today, albeit to a much lesser degree. His tireless struggle against untouchability and caste discrimination has a lingering influence on a society that Ambedkar believed was deeply "Brahminical" in nature. "Jai Bhim", a slogan coined by Babu Hardas in 1935, is not merely a political slogan today. Today, it has become the most compelling manifestation of centuries-old struggle of the oppressed classes, their resilience and collective will to fight the inequality and injustice in society.
The Constitution of India embodies the distinctive influences of Ambedkar's aspiration for an egalitarian society. A mere examination of specific constitutional provisions, including Article 14, which establishes equality before the law; Article 15, which prohibits discrimination against any citizen based solely on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any combination thereof; Article 16(4), which mandates reservation for Backward Classes in instances of insufficient representation in public employment; and Article 17, which enforces the prohibition of untouchability, reveals how Ambedkar's personal experiences and his struggle against the most egregious forms of social discrimination are enshrined within our constitutional framework.
Ambedkar encountered discrimination and indignity at every juncture of his existence. However, he also met several philanthropic individuals who altruistically facilitated his academic and professional achievements. Tharoor highlights many individuals who ensured that Ambedkar's caste did not impede the realisation of his aspirations. For example, his educator, Krishna Keshav Ambedkar, bestowed upon Bhiva Sakpal (the name under which Bhim had been registered in school) a new appellation—Bhimrao Ambedkar. Unbeknownst to him, this designation would eventually be venerated throughout the nation as the preeminent symbol of marginalised communities. Krushnaji Arjun Keluskar, who would share his books with Bhim and introduce him to Gautam Buddha's teachings, is the other good-hearted individual mentioned in the book. Ambedkar became the first untouchable to enrol in school and get a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907. At this juncture, Keluskar presented him to Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad, the Maharaja of Baroda, who granted him a scholarship worth Rs. 25 a month for three years, from 1913 to 1916, in recognition of his intelligence and unending desire to learn. Then, Ambedkar received assistance from Shahu Maharaj, the Maharaja of Kolhapur, in launching his biweekly newspaper "Mook Nayak," which he used to represent the voice of the oppressed classes. Another person who acquired a very unique place in Ambedkar's heart was Naval Bhathena, who funded much of his education. However, there is often criticism that Ambedkar overlooked the contributions of these men who helped motivate him and reassured him of human compassion.
Ambedkar's perspective on Indian society was influenced mainly by his personal experiences and his never-ending battle against the country's oppressive caste system. Therefore, it should not be surprising that he viewed Hindu leaders from higher castes with tremendous distrust. His caste-related arguments with Mahatma Gandhi, whom he never referred to as Mahatma, are thought-provoking. Ambedkar intended nothing less than the destruction of the system that upheld social discrimination and untouchability, but he believed that Gandhi was an outspoken supporter of the caste system. Gandhi called Ambedkar "the most uncompromising exponent of attacks on Hinduism," while Ambedkar viewed Gandhi as "the most committed enemy of untouchables." Tharoor writes in his book, "he (Ambedkar) did not publicly utter a word on the monumental national tragedy of Mahatma's killing, nor did he issue any statement of condolence. He joined the funeral procession for a while and retired to his study. But he did not write anything on the subject."
Like every great man, Ambedkar also had his share of flaws. The author discusses four areas in which Ambedkar can be faulted. Firstly, Ambedkar's unsavoury thoughts on Adivasis- India's aboriginals. He refers to them as 'hereditary animals', and even warns 'the Hindus' that the 'aborigines are a source of potential danger'. Secondly, he held deeply prejudiced views about 'Hindu Civilisation'. It can be argued that he was denouncing Hindu society, not the Hindu faith, but in fact Ambedkar conflated the two, attributing the ills of Hindu society (hierarchical discrimination in particular) to the religion that in his view sanctified these ills, and thereby damning the entire faith in the process. Notably, in a public ceremony in October 1956, Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in Nagpur. Thirdly, his disagreement with the Mahatma, which he was perfectly entitled to have, but the "ungraciousness of his manner of expressing it, including even after Gandhi's death". As per Tharoor, he conveniently disregarded the steps taken by Gandhi to alleviate the sufferings of the untouchables. And lastly, "his absolute faith in the institutions and mechanisms of a strong central government to bring about the empowerment of the Dalits, to the exclusion of the moral and spiritual reforms that Gandhi had sought, and without heed to the need to bring people along with him in the adventure of changing time-old traditions and practices".
Without becoming overly ambitious with the scope of chronicling, Shashi Tharoor's beautifully written Ambedkar: A Life provides a very balanced assessment of Ambedkar's life and times. He defines parameters that allow for the placement, exploration, and evaluation of Ambedkar's life, intellectual development, political reactions, and legislative statesmanship. I read this book to gain a fundamental grasp of Ambedkar's legacy, which has grown larger than life in Indian politics. I can say with absolute certainty that Tharoor succeeds in every way.
The book "Ambedkar: A Life" by Shashi Tharoor is a valuable supplement to the body of knowledge already available on Ambedkar. The author of over two dozen books, Tharoor, provides the reader with a brief overview of Ambedkar's life with this balanced, albeit brief biography. As the book explores many facets of his life, it becomes evident that Ambedkar was fundamentally a person who understood early on that he and his people could only be freed from the bonds of caste by changing the structure of the society, empowered by education. In his calculus, the struggle for emancipation of the untouchables took precedence over the call for freedom from the British. The book is written into two sections; the first provides background information about Babasaheb's life, including his numerous hardships and achievements, while the latter half deconstructs his legacy.
One question that constantly struck me while reading the book was what explains the ever-growing popularity of the man who, in his lifetime, faced so much disdain. Ambedkar had sharp disagreements with Gandhi, something he never made a secret of; he was highly critical of the Congress leadership and its methodologies, and he virtually despised communists about whom he famously said, "I don't want my people to fall under the sway of communists." To Hindu traditionalists, he was a never-ending source of agitation. At the same time, his unsavoury views on Islam, the religion he called "a closed corporation", continue to be the subject of intense debate even today. Despite so many ideological disagreements, some bordering on bitterness, with principal stakeholders of the time, Ambedkar today, in the author's words, "has entered the rare pantheon of unchallengeable…nearly seven decades after his death, he keeps on growing."
This growing supremacy of Ambedkar in our national discourse has very much to do with the ideas he stood for in his lifetime and their enduring appeal in our contemporary socio-political discourse. It should not be unfair to say that the challenges that Ambedkar faced in his lifetime pervade our society even today, albeit to a much lesser degree. His tireless struggle against untouchability and caste discrimination has a lingering influence on a society that Ambedkar believed was deeply "Brahminical" in nature. "Jai Bhim", a slogan coined by Babu Hardas in 1935, is not merely a political slogan today. Today, it has become the most compelling manifestation of centuries-old struggle of the oppressed classes, their resilience and collective will to fight the inequality and injustice in society.
The Constitution of India embodies the distinctive influences of Ambedkar's aspiration for an egalitarian society. A mere examination of specific constitutional provisions, including Article 14, which establishes equality before the law; Article 15, which prohibits discrimination against any citizen based solely on religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth, or any combination thereof; Article 16(4), which mandates reservation for Backward Classes in instances of insufficient representation in public employment; and Article 17, which enforces the prohibition of untouchability, reveals how Ambedkar's personal experiences and his struggle against the most egregious forms of social discrimination are enshrined within our constitutional framework.
Ambedkar encountered discrimination and indignity at every juncture of his existence. However, he also met several philanthropic individuals who altruistically facilitated his academic and professional achievements. Tharoor highlights many individuals who ensured that Ambedkar's caste did not impede the realisation of his aspirations. For example, his educator, Krishna Keshav Ambedkar, bestowed upon Bhiva Sakpal (the name under which Bhim had been registered in school) a new appellation—Bhimrao Ambedkar. Unbeknownst to him, this designation would eventually be venerated throughout the nation as the preeminent symbol of marginalised communities. Krushnaji Arjun Keluskar, who would share his books with Bhim and introduce him to Gautam Buddha's teachings, is the other good-hearted individual mentioned in the book. Ambedkar became the first untouchable to enrol in school and get a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1907. At this juncture, Keluskar presented him to Sir Sayajirao Gaekwad, the Maharaja of Baroda, who granted him a scholarship worth Rs. 25 a month for three years, from 1913 to 1916, in recognition of his intelligence and unending desire to learn. Then, Ambedkar received assistance from Shahu Maharaj, the Maharaja of Kolhapur, in launching his biweekly newspaper "Mook Nayak," which he used to represent the voice of the oppressed classes. Another person who acquired a very unique place in Ambedkar's heart was Naval Bhathena, who funded much of his education. However, there is often criticism that Ambedkar overlooked the contributions of these men who helped motivate him and reassured him of human compassion.
Ambedkar's perspective on Indian society was influenced mainly by his personal experiences and his never-ending battle against the country's oppressive caste system. Therefore, it should not be surprising that he viewed Hindu leaders from higher castes with tremendous distrust. His caste-related arguments with Mahatma Gandhi, whom he never referred to as Mahatma, are thought-provoking. Ambedkar intended nothing less than the destruction of the system that upheld social discrimination and untouchability, but he believed that Gandhi was an outspoken supporter of the caste system. Gandhi called Ambedkar "the most uncompromising exponent of attacks on Hinduism," while Ambedkar viewed Gandhi as "the most committed enemy of untouchables." Tharoor writes in his book, "he (Ambedkar) did not publicly utter a word on the monumental national tragedy of Mahatma's killing, nor did he issue any statement of condolence. He joined the funeral procession for a while and retired to his study. But he did not write anything on the subject."
Like every great man, Ambedkar also had his share of flaws. The author discusses four areas in which Ambedkar can be faulted. Firstly, Ambedkar's unsavoury thoughts on Adivasis- India's aboriginals. He refers to them as 'hereditary animals', and even warns 'the Hindus' that the 'aborigines are a source of potential danger'. Secondly, he held deeply prejudiced views about 'Hindu Civilisation'. It can be argued that he was denouncing Hindu society, not the Hindu faith, but in fact Ambedkar conflated the two, attributing the ills of Hindu society (hierarchical discrimination in particular) to the religion that in his view sanctified these ills, and thereby damning the entire faith in the process. Notably, in a public ceremony in October 1956, Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in Nagpur. Thirdly, his disagreement with the Mahatma, which he was perfectly entitled to have, but the "ungraciousness of his manner of expressing it, including even after Gandhi's death". As per Tharoor, he conveniently disregarded the steps taken by Gandhi to alleviate the sufferings of the untouchables. And lastly, "his absolute faith in the institutions and mechanisms of a strong central government to bring about the empowerment of the Dalits, to the exclusion of the moral and spiritual reforms that Gandhi had sought, and without heed to the need to bring people along with him in the adventure of changing time-old traditions and practices".
Without becoming overly ambitious with the scope of chronicling, Shashi Tharoor's beautifully written Ambedkar: A Life provides a very balanced assessment of Ambedkar's life and times. He defines parameters that allow for the placement, exploration, and evaluation of Ambedkar's life, intellectual development, political reactions, and legislative statesmanship. I read this book to gain a fundamental grasp of Ambedkar's legacy, which has grown larger than life in Indian politics. I can say with absolute certainty that Tharoor succeeds in every way.
November 3, 2022
Life should be great rather than long - Dr. BR Ambedkar
நிகழ்காலத்தை பொறுத்தே, கடந்த காலம் பற்றிய சிந்தனை அணுகப்படுகிறது. இச்சிந்தனை அனைத்து துறைகளிலும் தாக்கம் செலுத்துகிறது. நிகழ்கால சம்பவங்களுக்கேற்ப கடந்தகால வரலாறுகள் மீள்வாசிப்புக்கு உள்ளாகின்றன. 1990 களுக்கு பின் அம்பேத்கர் பற்றிய ஆய்வும் , அவரது சிந்தனைகள் பரிணமித்த விதமும் வியப்பை ஏற்படுத்துபவை.
இடதுசாரிகள் முதல் வலதுசாரிகள் வரை அனைவராலும் சொந்தம் கொண்டாடப்படும் ஒருவராக சமகாலத்தில் அம்பேத்கர் திகழ்கிறார். அவரது கருத்துக்கள் மீது எந்த அக்கறையும் செலுத்தாமல் வெறும் பிம்பமாக அம்பேத்கரை தங்களவராக காட்டிக்கொள்ளும் போக்கு சில தரப்பினரிடம் வெளிப்படுகிறது.
இந்நிலையில் அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்கை வரலாற்று நூல் ஒன்றை சசி தரூர் எழுதி இருக்கிறார், அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்க்கை(Life) பற்றி முதல் பகுதியும் அவர் விட்டு சென்ற மரபை(Legacy) பற்றி இரண்டாம் பகுதியும் பேசுகிறது. அம்பேத்கரை தொடர்ந்து வாசிக்கும் ஒருவருக்கு இந்நூல் திருப்தி அளிக்குமா? என்ற கேள்வி நூலை வாசித்து முடித்த சமயத்தில் தோன்றியது.
அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்க்கையை ஐந்து பாகங்களாக பிரித்துக்கொள்கிறார் நூலாசிரியர், பிறப்பிலிருந்து 1923 வரை முதல் பாகமாகவும், 1923 முதல் மகத் சத்யாகிரஹம் நாசிக் மாநாடு என்பவை இரண்டாம் பாகமாகவும், வட்டமேசை மாநாடுகள் மூன்றாம் பாகமாகவும், இரண்டு அரசியல் காட்சிகளை(ILP, SCF) தோற்றுவித்த காலத்தை நான்காம் பாகமாகவும், அரசியலமைப்பு சட்ட வரைவு குழு தலைவர் முதல் இறப்பு வரையிலான பகுதிகள் ஐந்தாம் பாகமாகவும் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கிறது.
அம்பேத்கர் வாழ்க்கை பற்றி மேலோட்டமான தகவல்களை மட்டுமே இந்நூல் கொண்டிருக்கிறது, முடிந்தளவுக்கு அனைத்து நிகழ்வுகளையும் தொட்டு காட்டி அதன் மூலம் தேடலை விரித்துக்கொள்ளும் பாங்கில் இந்நூல் அமைந்திருக்கிறது. அடிக்குறிப்புகளும், நூல் பட்டியலும் எதிர்கால அம்பேத்கர் ஆய்வாளர்களுக்கு துணைசெய்யும் வகையில் இருப்பதை உணரமுடிகிறது. 2022 வரை வெளியான அம்பேத்கர் பற்றிய அனைத்து முக்கியமான புத்தகங்கள் பற்றிய குறிப்புகளும் இதில் அடங்கும்.
65 வயது வரை வாழ்ந்த அறிஞர் ஒருவரின் வாழ்க்கையை 250 பக்கத்தில் சுருங்குவது கடினம் தான், பல தகவல்களை ஆழமாகச் சொல்ல முடியாது. ஆனால் 250 பக்கங்களை வாசிக்கும் தலைமுறை கூட இங்கு குறைந்து வரும் காலகட்டத்தில் வெகுஜன வாசிப்புக்காக இப்படி ஒரு நூல் வந்திருப்பது மகிழ்ச்சி.
சினிமாக்காரர் திலிப் குமாருக்கும் அம்பேத்கருக்குமிடையே இருந்த உறவை எழுதும் சசி தரூருக்கு ஏனோ, அம்பேத்கர் - பெரியார் இடையே நடந்த முக்கியமா சந்திப்பை(Burma, 1954) பதிவு செய்ய மனம் வரவில்லை. இந்த காங்கிரஸ் காரர்களுக்கு பிராந்தியங்களை, பிராந்திய தலைவர்களை மையமாக வைத்து எழுதும் வரலாறு இன்னும் வாய்க்கவில்லை போலும். சசி தரூர், தென் இந்தியாவை சேர்ந்த ஒருவராக இருந்த போதிலும், இந்த சந்திப்பு பற்றியும் பெரியார் - அம்பேத்கர் இடையே நிலவிய கொள்கை உறவு பற்றியும் எந்த தகவலும் இடம்பெறவில்லை. ஒரு தென் இந்தியனாக இது எனக்கு மாபெரும் குறையாக படுகிறது.
இந்நூல் அம்பேத்கரின் நிறைகளை மட்டும் சுட்டும் ஒன்றல்ல விமர்சனங்களையும் கொண்டிருக்கும் ஒன்று தான் என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு, நான்கு குறைகளை பட்டியலிடுகிறார் சசி தரூர். அவை
1.ஆதிவாசிகள் பற்றி அம்பேத்கர் கொண்டிருந்த கருத்து
2.ஹிந்துக்களையும் ஹிந்து மதத்தையும் அவர் விமர்சித்த விதம்
3.காந்தியிடம் அவர் கொண்டிருந்த தீராத முரண்பாடு
4.மையப்படுத்தப்பட்ட அதிகாரத்தின் மீது அவர் கொண்டிருந்த ஈடுபாடு
என்னை பொறுத்தளவில் முதல் மற்றும் நான்காம் விமர்சனம் ஒரு அளவுக்கு ஏற்புடைய ஒன்றாகும், அதுவும் நான்காவது விமர்சனத்திற்கு பதில் சொல்ல அம்பேத்கரியர்களிடம் நியாயமான வாதமே உள்ளது. இரண்டு மற்றும் மூன்றாம் விமர்சனம் சசி தரூர் கொண்டிருக்கும் நம்பிக்கையின் காரணமாக எழும் ஒன்று. அது தனிநபரது கருத்தியல் சார்ந்தது. ஒரு தலித்தாகவோ அல்லது விளிம்புநிலை பிற்படுத்தப��பட்ட சாதியை சேர்ந்த ஒருவராகவோ இருக்கும்பட்சத்தில் இதை ஒரு விமர்சனமாக மனம் ஏற்காது.
நூலின் இறுதியில் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கும், CODA பகுதி அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்க்கை பற்றியும் அவரது சிந்தனை மரபு பற்றியும் சுருக்கமாக சொல்லி செல்கிறது. சமகாலத்தில் அம்பேத்கரை மீதான பார்வை எப்படி இருக்கிறது என்பதையும் ஒரு பகுதி சொல்கிறது.
அம்பேத்கர் பற்றி வாசிக்கும் ஒரு ஆரம்பகட்ட வாசகருக்கு இந்நூலை பரிந்துரைக்கலாம், விமர்சனம் கலந்த பார்வையோடு இந்நூலை அணுகுவது உகந்தது. ஆய்வாளர்கள் புத்தக பட்டியலை பயன்படுத்தி கொள்ளலாம், தரமாக இருக்கிறது. நூலை படித்துவிட்டு டாக்டர் அம்பேத்கர் குறித்து தேட தொடங்க வேண்டும்.
இதுவே இந்நூல் கூறும் மறைமுக செய்தி.
நிகழ்காலத்தை பொறுத்தே, கடந்த காலம் பற்றிய சிந்தனை அணுகப்படுகிறது. இச்சிந்தனை அனைத்து துறைகளிலும் தாக்கம் செலுத்துகிறது. நிகழ்கால சம்பவங்களுக்கேற்ப கடந்தகால வரலாறுகள் மீள்வாசிப்புக்கு உள்ளாகின்றன. 1990 களுக்கு பின் அம்பேத்கர் பற்றிய ஆய்வும் , அவரது சிந்தனைகள் பரிணமித்த விதமும் வியப்பை ஏற்படுத்துபவை.
இடதுசாரிகள் முதல் வலதுசாரிகள் வரை அனைவராலும் சொந்தம் கொண்டாடப்படும் ஒருவராக சமகாலத்தில் அம்பேத்கர் திகழ்கிறார். அவரது கருத்துக்கள் மீது எந்த அக்கறையும் செலுத்தாமல் வெறும் பிம்பமாக அம்பேத்கரை தங்களவராக காட்டிக்கொள்ளும் போக்கு சில தரப்பினரிடம் வெளிப்படுகிறது.
இந்நிலையில் அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்கை வரலாற்று நூல் ஒன்றை சசி தரூர் எழுதி இருக்கிறார், அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்க்கை(Life) பற்றி முதல் பகுதியும் அவர் விட்டு சென்ற மரபை(Legacy) பற்றி இரண்டாம் பகுதியும் பேசுகிறது. அம்பேத்கரை தொடர்ந்து வாசிக்கும் ஒருவருக்கு இந்நூல் திருப்தி அளிக்குமா? என்ற கேள்வி நூலை வாசித்து முடித்த சமயத்தில் தோன்றியது.
அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்க்கையை ஐந்து பாகங்களாக பிரித்துக்கொள்கிறார் நூலாசிரியர், பிறப்பிலிருந்து 1923 வரை முதல் பாகமாகவும், 1923 முதல் மகத் சத்யாகிரஹம் நாசிக் மாநாடு என்பவை இரண்டாம் பாகமாகவும், வட்டமேசை மாநாடுகள் மூன்றாம் பாகமாகவும், இரண்டு அரசியல் காட்சிகளை(ILP, SCF) தோற்றுவித்த காலத்தை நான்காம் பாகமாகவும், அரசியலமைப்பு சட்ட வரைவு குழு தலைவர் முதல் இறப்பு வரையிலான பகுதிகள் ஐந்தாம் பாகமாகவும் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கிறது.
அம்பேத்கர் வாழ்க்கை பற்றி மேலோட்டமான தகவல்களை மட்டுமே இந்நூல் கொண்டிருக்கிறது, முடிந்தளவுக்கு அனைத்து நிகழ்வுகளையும் தொட்டு காட்டி அதன் மூலம் தேடலை விரித்துக்கொள்ளும் பாங்கில் இந்நூல் அமைந்திருக்கிறது. அடிக்குறிப்புகளும், நூல் பட்டியலும் எதிர்கால அம்பேத்கர் ஆய்வாளர்களுக்கு துணைசெய்யும் வகையில் இருப்பதை உணரமுடிகிறது. 2022 வரை வெளியான அம்பேத்கர் பற்றிய அனைத்து முக்கியமான புத்தகங்கள் பற்றிய குறிப்புகளும் இதில் அடங்கும்.
65 வயது வரை வாழ்ந்த அறிஞர் ஒருவரின் வாழ்க்கையை 250 பக்கத்தில் சுருங்குவது கடினம் தான், பல தகவல்களை ஆழமாகச் சொல்ல முடியாது. ஆனால் 250 பக்கங்களை வாசிக்கும் தலைமுறை கூட இங்கு குறைந்து வரும் காலகட்டத்தில் வெகுஜன வாசிப்புக்காக இப்படி ஒரு நூல் வந்திருப்பது மகிழ்ச்சி.
சினிமாக்காரர் திலிப் குமாருக்கும் அம்பேத்கருக்குமிடையே இருந்த உறவை எழுதும் சசி தரூருக்கு ஏனோ, அம்பேத்கர் - பெரியார் இடையே நடந்த முக்கியமா சந்திப்பை(Burma, 1954) பதிவு செய்ய மனம் வரவில்லை. இந்த காங்கிரஸ் காரர்களுக்கு பிராந்தியங்களை, பிராந்திய தலைவர்களை மையமாக வைத்து எழுதும் வரலாறு இன்னும் வாய்க்கவில்லை போலும். சசி தரூர், தென் இந்தியாவை சேர்ந்த ஒருவராக இருந்த போதிலும், இந்த சந்திப்பு பற்றியும் பெரியார் - அம்பேத்கர் இடையே நிலவிய கொள்கை உறவு பற்றியும் எந்த தகவலும் இடம்பெறவில்லை. ஒரு தென் இந்தியனாக இது எனக்கு மாபெரும் குறையாக படுகிறது.
இந்நூல் அம்பேத்கரின் நிறைகளை மட்டும் சுட்டும் ஒன்றல்ல விமர்சனங்களையும் கொண்டிருக்கும் ஒன்று தான் என்று சொல்லிவிட்டு, நான்கு குறைகளை பட்டியலிடுகிறார் சசி தரூர். அவை
1.ஆதிவாசிகள் பற்றி அம்பேத்கர் கொண்டிருந்த கருத்து
2.ஹிந்துக்களையும் ஹிந்து மதத்தையும் அவர் விமர்சித்த விதம்
3.காந்தியிடம் அவர் கொண்டிருந்த தீராத முரண்பாடு
4.மையப்படுத்தப்பட்ட அதிகாரத்தின் மீது அவர் கொண்டிருந்த ஈடுபாடு
என்னை பொறுத்தளவில் முதல் மற்றும் நான்காம் விமர்சனம் ஒரு அளவுக்கு ஏற்புடைய ஒன்றாகும், அதுவும் நான்காவது விமர்சனத்திற்கு பதில் சொல்ல அம்பேத்கரியர்களிடம் நியாயமான வாதமே உள்ளது. இரண்டு மற்றும் மூன்றாம் விமர்சனம் சசி தரூர் கொண்டிருக்கும் நம்பிக்கையின் காரணமாக எழும் ஒன்று. அது தனிநபரது கருத்தியல் சார்ந்தது. ஒரு தலித்தாகவோ அல்லது விளிம்புநிலை பிற்படுத்தப��பட்ட சாதியை சேர்ந்த ஒருவராகவோ இருக்கும்பட்சத்தில் இதை ஒரு விமர்சனமாக மனம் ஏற்காது.
நூலின் இறுதியில் இடம்பெற்றிருக்கும், CODA பகுதி அம்பேத்கரின் வாழ்க்கை பற்றியும் அவரது சிந்தனை மரபு பற்றியும் சுருக்கமாக சொல்லி செல்கிறது. சமகாலத்தில் அம்பேத்கரை மீதான பார்வை எப்படி இருக்கிறது என்பதையும் ஒரு பகுதி சொல்கிறது.
அம்பேத்கர் பற்றி வாசிக்கும் ஒரு ஆரம்பகட்ட வாசகருக்கு இந்நூலை பரிந்துரைக்கலாம், விமர்சனம் கலந்த பார்வையோடு இந்நூலை அணுகுவது உகந்தது. ஆய்வாளர்கள் புத்தக பட்டியலை பயன்படுத்தி கொள்ளலாம், தரமாக இருக்கிறது. நூலை படித்துவிட்டு டாக்டர் அம்பேத்கர் குறித்து தேட தொடங்க வேண்டும்.
இதுவே இந்நூல் கூறும் மறைமுக செய்தி.
May 26, 2023
A biography on Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee of
independent India, authored by the eminent Indian leader, writer, former international civil servant,
Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
My first time with a biography; unlike a book outlining the life of a person in a story-mode, this one
deals mainly with facts and incidents from Dr. Ambedkar’s life, not strictly adhering to the timelines
in order.
The book is divided into two parts – life and legacy. These two parts can be considered as two separate books because of their difference in nature. One is purely academical and comprises mostly of points and facts and excerpts from various reference; wherein the other part is author’s very own thoughts and opinions.
The first part is Dr Ambedkar’s life described as series of indexed facts. His birth, living conditions, the hardships he faced, the trauma that built him to be what he became, his incessant love for books and knowledge, the rigor and passion of pursuing his cause all the while standing rooted on his principals, his triumphs, his failures, and the brilliance of being a man of words, as he was.
This is the part where the author skims through political and social reforms Ambedkar made. Readers get a glance of the Mahad Satyagraha, one of the first noteworthy Dalit movement for allowing the “untouchables” access to public tanks and wells and its implications. Readers are also taken through various other important events such as the paths that lead to the Poona Pact which allowed for Dalit electoral representation, the ‘Manusmrithi Dahan Din’ that originated from Ambedkar’s disbelief in Hinduism and its clear defiance. It also talks about his education, works abroad and various friends as well as foes he made along the way.
One another interesting reference is to the conflicts of interest between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar – how two great Indian minds, who had similar goals, but could not work together, owing to the different paths they chose.
Towards the end, of this part, readers get a view on how Dr. Ambedkar was nominated as the Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee by those who have had disagreements with him in the past, but nevertheless, had full trust in his capability in owning that position. There is also reference on how Dr. Ambedkar and several his followers, rejected Hinduism, which, in their words, treated them unjustly, and adopted Buddhism for the rest of their lives.
This part, as I mentioned before, is more of a kind of academic textbook which can be used for reference purposes.
The second part, Legacy, is mainly the author’s opinions and analysis. This is where we see some of ‘Tharoor magic’, though not entirely hijacking the essence. Sharing his views on Dr.Ambedkar’s broad influence, the author also boldly steps up to point out a couple of his widely-discussed flaws as well. The author then further talks about Ambedkarism today, and how it is far away from what the great man had in his mind.
As the chapters progress, we tend to wonder if the politician in Dr. Shashi Tharoor tries to intervene with his own author-self with a hidden agenda; the agenda being a remembrance of Dr. Ambedkar’s life and ideology he followed, throwing light to the fact that, he never was a part of any of the existing political parties, at least full-heartedly. He had his differences with almost all the parties of his era and major political leaders as well.
In short, this book, mainly its last part and the facts stated in this stands a direct challenge against anyone trying to appropriate Dr. Ambedkar against their political interests.
The book has a good academic value, but a little too much dry for a biography.
One of the part that signifies Dr.Ambedkar’s love of books that was referenced in this book and that deeply touched me is “Ambedkar’s love of books was so intense that his biggest fear was that he would lose his eyesight and be unable to read”
independent India, authored by the eminent Indian leader, writer, former international civil servant,
Dr. Shashi Tharoor.
My first time with a biography; unlike a book outlining the life of a person in a story-mode, this one
deals mainly with facts and incidents from Dr. Ambedkar’s life, not strictly adhering to the timelines
in order.
The book is divided into two parts – life and legacy. These two parts can be considered as two separate books because of their difference in nature. One is purely academical and comprises mostly of points and facts and excerpts from various reference; wherein the other part is author’s very own thoughts and opinions.
The first part is Dr Ambedkar’s life described as series of indexed facts. His birth, living conditions, the hardships he faced, the trauma that built him to be what he became, his incessant love for books and knowledge, the rigor and passion of pursuing his cause all the while standing rooted on his principals, his triumphs, his failures, and the brilliance of being a man of words, as he was.
This is the part where the author skims through political and social reforms Ambedkar made. Readers get a glance of the Mahad Satyagraha, one of the first noteworthy Dalit movement for allowing the “untouchables” access to public tanks and wells and its implications. Readers are also taken through various other important events such as the paths that lead to the Poona Pact which allowed for Dalit electoral representation, the ‘Manusmrithi Dahan Din’ that originated from Ambedkar’s disbelief in Hinduism and its clear defiance. It also talks about his education, works abroad and various friends as well as foes he made along the way.
One another interesting reference is to the conflicts of interest between Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar – how two great Indian minds, who had similar goals, but could not work together, owing to the different paths they chose.
Towards the end, of this part, readers get a view on how Dr. Ambedkar was nominated as the Chairman of Constitution Drafting Committee by those who have had disagreements with him in the past, but nevertheless, had full trust in his capability in owning that position. There is also reference on how Dr. Ambedkar and several his followers, rejected Hinduism, which, in their words, treated them unjustly, and adopted Buddhism for the rest of their lives.
This part, as I mentioned before, is more of a kind of academic textbook which can be used for reference purposes.
The second part, Legacy, is mainly the author’s opinions and analysis. This is where we see some of ‘Tharoor magic’, though not entirely hijacking the essence. Sharing his views on Dr.Ambedkar’s broad influence, the author also boldly steps up to point out a couple of his widely-discussed flaws as well. The author then further talks about Ambedkarism today, and how it is far away from what the great man had in his mind.
As the chapters progress, we tend to wonder if the politician in Dr. Shashi Tharoor tries to intervene with his own author-self with a hidden agenda; the agenda being a remembrance of Dr. Ambedkar’s life and ideology he followed, throwing light to the fact that, he never was a part of any of the existing political parties, at least full-heartedly. He had his differences with almost all the parties of his era and major political leaders as well.
In short, this book, mainly its last part and the facts stated in this stands a direct challenge against anyone trying to appropriate Dr. Ambedkar against their political interests.
The book has a good academic value, but a little too much dry for a biography.
One of the part that signifies Dr.Ambedkar’s love of books that was referenced in this book and that deeply touched me is “Ambedkar’s love of books was so intense that his biggest fear was that he would lose his eyesight and be unable to read”
October 30, 2024
In writing Ambedkar: A Life (Aleph, 2022), Shashi Tharoor confesses to have been confronted with three dilemmas.
The biography of a person who is essentially a ‘man of ideas’ does not readily lend itself to dramatic turns of events. The word ‘untouchable’ has a pejorative ring about it and has, rightly, long become outdated. Using it in our time may sound nauseating. And, finally, can a non-Dalit author write with the empathy that the subject demands?
To his great credit, Tharoor has handled the dilemmas with considerable finesse.
Written in his trademark delicious English, Tharoor’s small, 200-page biography is both inspiring and disturbing.
The disturbing part, first.
If, nearly seventy years after Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar departed, caste discrimination is still a part of Indian experience, then it is a sad reflection of us as Indians and as Hindus. When our Founding Fathers decided on affirmative action in the form of caste-based reservation, they surely responded to the call of the time. But, with the passage of time, has the egalitarian philosophy of reservation got bogged down in the quagmire of political expediency? Is it possible that the politicians have discovered a golden goose, which they are not ready to let go lest a “vote bank” should slip away? Demand for caste census, for example? Is it possible that the benefits of reservation have benefitted only a section of the “Dalits” leaving a vast swath of the underprivileged continue to rot in their centuries-old misery?
These are questions that probably do not lend themselves to easy, universally-accepted answers.
For me though, Ambedkar, the inspiration, holds greater attraction.
The man born in the “untouchable” Mahar community, who was forced to sit on the floor of his classroom, ended up with academic qualification of MA, MSc, PhD, DSc, DLitt, Bar-at Law, is nothing if not an inspiration.
Look at the areas which have been touched by the brilliance of his intellectual acuity. History and the state of “Untouchables”/”Dalits” in India. Journey of the making of a greatly-admired Constitution. The continuing relevance of Buddhism as a faith system that holds many answers for today’s trouble world.
If reading the short biography of a man kindles your curiosity about not one, not two, but three different areas of human endeavor, he is a man worth knowing about. In greater detail.
Was Ambedkar’s life dogged by controversies? It was. But, then, a life as influential and as history-shaping as his is bound to attract adverse attention.
It is Shashi Tharoor’s great credit that in his admiration for his subject he has not lost sight of those controversies.
Ambedkar: A Life is an important read.
The biography of a person who is essentially a ‘man of ideas’ does not readily lend itself to dramatic turns of events. The word ‘untouchable’ has a pejorative ring about it and has, rightly, long become outdated. Using it in our time may sound nauseating. And, finally, can a non-Dalit author write with the empathy that the subject demands?
To his great credit, Tharoor has handled the dilemmas with considerable finesse.
Written in his trademark delicious English, Tharoor’s small, 200-page biography is both inspiring and disturbing.
The disturbing part, first.
If, nearly seventy years after Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar departed, caste discrimination is still a part of Indian experience, then it is a sad reflection of us as Indians and as Hindus. When our Founding Fathers decided on affirmative action in the form of caste-based reservation, they surely responded to the call of the time. But, with the passage of time, has the egalitarian philosophy of reservation got bogged down in the quagmire of political expediency? Is it possible that the politicians have discovered a golden goose, which they are not ready to let go lest a “vote bank” should slip away? Demand for caste census, for example? Is it possible that the benefits of reservation have benefitted only a section of the “Dalits” leaving a vast swath of the underprivileged continue to rot in their centuries-old misery?
These are questions that probably do not lend themselves to easy, universally-accepted answers.
For me though, Ambedkar, the inspiration, holds greater attraction.
The man born in the “untouchable” Mahar community, who was forced to sit on the floor of his classroom, ended up with academic qualification of MA, MSc, PhD, DSc, DLitt, Bar-at Law, is nothing if not an inspiration.
Look at the areas which have been touched by the brilliance of his intellectual acuity. History and the state of “Untouchables”/”Dalits” in India. Journey of the making of a greatly-admired Constitution. The continuing relevance of Buddhism as a faith system that holds many answers for today’s trouble world.
If reading the short biography of a man kindles your curiosity about not one, not two, but three different areas of human endeavor, he is a man worth knowing about. In greater detail.
Was Ambedkar’s life dogged by controversies? It was. But, then, a life as influential and as history-shaping as his is bound to attract adverse attention.
It is Shashi Tharoor’s great credit that in his admiration for his subject he has not lost sight of those controversies.
Ambedkar: A Life is an important read.
February 28, 2023
After listening to all the erudite speakers at the Kerala Lit Fest earlier this year, I realised that I don’t read enough non fiction and resolved to read more. Started with Tharoor’s Ambedkar because I listened to Mr Tharoor talk about Dr Ambedkar at the Lit Fest. It was a very interesting albeit slow read. I learnt so much that I didn’t know and I think every Indian should. Dr Ambedkar was a lower caste Hindu born in India when British ruled and caste system was strong. Despite facing horrible casteist discriminations (like not being allowed drinking water in school because he was not allowed to touch the water pot) he got himself educated as a lawyer because the maharaja of Baroda saw the genius in him. He studied in the UK and in the US. He came back to an India that was fighting for freedom from the British, to fight for equality for the lower castes. He didn’t care so much for freedom from the British- he didn’t see the difference between being ruled by the British or by higher caste Hindus. The struggles faced by his people would be the same. He fought to stop the discrimination faced by ‘untouchables’. In his fight he locked horns with Gandhi several times. Gandhi though recognising that the discrimination needs to stop, didn’t see it as his primary battle. That was the only thing Dr Ambedkar cared about. In newly free India, Sr Ambedkar headed the committee that created the Constitution of India and that is perhaps his greatest legacy. He wrote the wonderful document that all Indians live by now. And to put it shortly, “he gave the Dalits and sense of collective pride and individual self respect and in doing so, he transformed the lives of millions yet unborn. “
June 23, 2024
Shashi Tharoor has written a concise biography of Dr. B R Ambedkar. The book is divided into two parts. The former discusses his life and the latter his legacy. Book starts with the background of his family and anecdotes of hardships faced by Ambedkar right from his childhood followed by his academic journey. Tharoor elaborates on the trajectory that led him to social and political work.
Tharoor explains in detail the rationale behind Ambedkar's unique political positioning in pre-independent India. He also dwells in detail about Ambedkars work in drafting the constitution as well as the Hindu code bill, which cost him his position as Law Minister.
The second part of the book traces the legacy of Ambedkar on the background of constitutional framework as well as the existence of Caste. Tharoor uses Ambedkar’s opinions and the Dalit experience in Indian society. While doing the latter, Tharoor doesn't give his voice but rather quotes renowned Dalit authors to explain the same.
The author also discusses four drawbacks of Ambedkar. The main issue is his view on Tribal communities of India, which doesn't suit an otherwise erudite man like Ambedkar. However, the other supposed drawbacks, of his non conciliatory approaches towards Gandhi and Hinduism can be seen and justified as a reflection of his bitter lived experiences. Also his overemphasis on Statism should've been viewed in parallel with the exhortations he made about cultivating constitutional morality in the society, something which the Indian polity failed.
This is a very short and detailed book written in very simple and accessible language with plenty of source material. The author has succeded in setting aside his political background as a Congressman while analysing Ambedkar. One shortcoming is the lack of detail in discussing Ambedkars works, mainly on the Indian Economy as well as Caste. I Would suggest this to anyone who wants a good introduction to Ambedkar.
Tharoor explains in detail the rationale behind Ambedkar's unique political positioning in pre-independent India. He also dwells in detail about Ambedkars work in drafting the constitution as well as the Hindu code bill, which cost him his position as Law Minister.
The second part of the book traces the legacy of Ambedkar on the background of constitutional framework as well as the existence of Caste. Tharoor uses Ambedkar’s opinions and the Dalit experience in Indian society. While doing the latter, Tharoor doesn't give his voice but rather quotes renowned Dalit authors to explain the same.
The author also discusses four drawbacks of Ambedkar. The main issue is his view on Tribal communities of India, which doesn't suit an otherwise erudite man like Ambedkar. However, the other supposed drawbacks, of his non conciliatory approaches towards Gandhi and Hinduism can be seen and justified as a reflection of his bitter lived experiences. Also his overemphasis on Statism should've been viewed in parallel with the exhortations he made about cultivating constitutional morality in the society, something which the Indian polity failed.
This is a very short and detailed book written in very simple and accessible language with plenty of source material. The author has succeded in setting aside his political background as a Congressman while analysing Ambedkar. One shortcoming is the lack of detail in discussing Ambedkars works, mainly on the Indian Economy as well as Caste. I Would suggest this to anyone who wants a good introduction to Ambedkar.
February 7, 2023
Day by day statues of Ambedkar are getting bigger and more monumental, and so does his stature. In Hyderabad adjacent to the Hussain Sagar lake work is pacing up on a 125-foot-tall statue of Ambedkar. Today political parties with contrasting ideologies are vying with each other to associate with his persona. In this political context, an astute fellow like Tharoor deciding to write a biography of Ambedkar is not a surprise.
Ambedkar is one of the most revered personality and the scale of his achievements are unimaginable. Born in a Mahar family as the fourteenth child he went on to become the first law minister of independent India and also the chairman of the constitution drafting committee. He has multiple doctorates from Columbia University and the University of London in economics, politics and law. He has written several books and is a voracious reader. His library had a collection of more than 50,000 books. He has once written in a letter, "My books have become my companions. They are dearer to me than wife and children". The achievements he made in his relatively short life span of 65 years are colossal and unmatched.
This biography by Tharoor is concise and briefs the great man's life from his birth in 1891 to his death in 1956. Being born into an "untouchable" family, the humiliations and the sufferings that he had to undergo in his life are traced lucidly. This book will be satisfying for those readers who would like to get a short overview of the life and struggles of one of the greatest Indians who ever lived.
Ambedkar is one of the most revered personality and the scale of his achievements are unimaginable. Born in a Mahar family as the fourteenth child he went on to become the first law minister of independent India and also the chairman of the constitution drafting committee. He has multiple doctorates from Columbia University and the University of London in economics, politics and law. He has written several books and is a voracious reader. His library had a collection of more than 50,000 books. He has once written in a letter, "My books have become my companions. They are dearer to me than wife and children". The achievements he made in his relatively short life span of 65 years are colossal and unmatched.
This biography by Tharoor is concise and briefs the great man's life from his birth in 1891 to his death in 1956. Being born into an "untouchable" family, the humiliations and the sufferings that he had to undergo in his life are traced lucidly. This book will be satisfying for those readers who would like to get a short overview of the life and struggles of one of the greatest Indians who ever lived.
February 2, 2023
TO THE PEOPLE OF INDIA
TO WHOM AMBEDKAR GAVE SO MUCH
THAT WE ARE YET TO FULLY APPRECIATE
In this concise biography, Shashi Tharoor presents a compelling chronicle of the life and times of a truly remarkable personality who decisively shaped the political and historical sociology of the nation in his times that continues to have relevance for present-day India as well. By not trying to moderate or appropriate Ambedkar’s views on Hinduism, Shashi Tharoor penned this biography with objectivity as its core by only narrating the life, ideology, and politics of one of the tallest leaders of modern India, without resorting to eulogy or criticism.
I am appreciative of the fact that, in writing this book, Shashi Tharoor acquired much-needed literary exposure, ranging from Isabel Wilkerson, Yashica Dutt, and Gail Omvedt to Suraj Yengde. Finally acknowledging the lived experience of the oppressed and realities of the subaltern discourse, Shashi Tharoor had come a long way from being a caste-denialist in his Era of Darkness to “I have been schooled to accept that even caste-blindness is a reflection of my privilege” in the preface of this book.
Most importantly, amidst all the noise about the Gandhi-Ambedkar divergence, Shashi Tharoor had adverted to the overlooked Nehru-Ambedkar convergences, especially in their uncompromising "articulation of a non-Hindu conception of Indian nationalism."
TO WHOM AMBEDKAR GAVE SO MUCH
THAT WE ARE YET TO FULLY APPRECIATE
In this concise biography, Shashi Tharoor presents a compelling chronicle of the life and times of a truly remarkable personality who decisively shaped the political and historical sociology of the nation in his times that continues to have relevance for present-day India as well. By not trying to moderate or appropriate Ambedkar’s views on Hinduism, Shashi Tharoor penned this biography with objectivity as its core by only narrating the life, ideology, and politics of one of the tallest leaders of modern India, without resorting to eulogy or criticism.
I am appreciative of the fact that, in writing this book, Shashi Tharoor acquired much-needed literary exposure, ranging from Isabel Wilkerson, Yashica Dutt, and Gail Omvedt to Suraj Yengde. Finally acknowledging the lived experience of the oppressed and realities of the subaltern discourse, Shashi Tharoor had come a long way from being a caste-denialist in his Era of Darkness to “I have been schooled to accept that even caste-blindness is a reflection of my privilege” in the preface of this book.
Most importantly, amidst all the noise about the Gandhi-Ambedkar divergence, Shashi Tharoor had adverted to the overlooked Nehru-Ambedkar convergences, especially in their uncompromising "articulation of a non-Hindu conception of Indian nationalism."
April 16, 2023
In Tharoor's latest literary feat, Ambedkar: A Life, readers can read a well-written biography of Father of the Indian Constitution, a great political leader, social reformer and a women rights activist Dr. Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar. In the first half of the book, Author Tharoor recounts the pivotal moments of Ambedkar's difficult journey, the hardships he faced due to poverty, the humiliation he suffered because of being born in a stigmatized community, his struggle to complete his studies and fulfil his family responsibilities.
In the second half, he explores Ambedkar's legacy and inspiring life journey as a respected political figure. How Babasaheb used education as his tool to the forefront of the cause of liberty, equality, and fraternity. He stood against discrimination, raised his voice against inequality and worked towards a more inclusive and just society. He believed in measuring the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved and therefore, he strongly endorsed women's right to high education and employment. He led a meaningful life and contributed to society's growth.
I would say that this book by Dr. Shashi Tharoor is deeply researched and insightful and offers its readers a profound understanding of the greatest leaders.
In the second half, he explores Ambedkar's legacy and inspiring life journey as a respected political figure. How Babasaheb used education as his tool to the forefront of the cause of liberty, equality, and fraternity. He stood against discrimination, raised his voice against inequality and worked towards a more inclusive and just society. He believed in measuring the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved and therefore, he strongly endorsed women's right to high education and employment. He led a meaningful life and contributed to society's growth.
I would say that this book by Dr. Shashi Tharoor is deeply researched and insightful and offers its readers a profound understanding of the greatest leaders.
December 28, 2022
It was with general curiosity toward Ambedkar's life & the trust in Tharoor's words that I had begun reading this book. The biography is capped by the limits of its own genre. While giving many insights into its subject's life (& notions of living), it remains, to the most part, a life story. It is what makes it work, perhaps. Because with Tharoor's words, Ambedkar's life plays, string by string, & we leave, more aware. However, a part of me craved the writer's traditional socio-political commentary, which gives a cameo in the second part of the book.
Tharoor makes no effort to hide his soft corner for Ambedkar. Although he plays fair in explaining the national (& often, the global) context of Ambedkar's times, his inclination isn't subtle. Which, as a curious reader, instills in me an appetite & a zest to read more about Ambedkar — his life, his movement, his impact & his afterlife.
The book proves that history is relevant, no matter how many of us try to deny its relevance. History (& history makers) have travelled a long path & as long as we try to avoid exploring its tracks, our understanding is going to be unfair & inadequate. It is with books like these — socio-political biographies — that we learn to ask more questions & eventually, answers.
Tharoor makes no effort to hide his soft corner for Ambedkar. Although he plays fair in explaining the national (& often, the global) context of Ambedkar's times, his inclination isn't subtle. Which, as a curious reader, instills in me an appetite & a zest to read more about Ambedkar — his life, his movement, his impact & his afterlife.
The book proves that history is relevant, no matter how many of us try to deny its relevance. History (& history makers) have travelled a long path & as long as we try to avoid exploring its tracks, our understanding is going to be unfair & inadequate. It is with books like these — socio-political biographies — that we learn to ask more questions & eventually, answers.
June 18, 2023
Amid Ambedkar having become a political saint for political parties, especially opposition in their crusade against the ruling party, Tharoor tries his best not to make this a hagiography on Ambedkar and mostly succeeds in the first part of the book, outlining factual history free from biases. The second part, however, is not only full of biases but also problematic inferences drawn from deliberate partially interpreted statements. He states that the book is meant to be a representation of his life factually and then in the next few paragraphs goes on to make value judgments on Shourie’s book on Ambedkar. The same is also shown by the fact that though Tharoor chooses to criticise almost every major political party in great detail for using Ambedkar’s name for fulfilling their agendas, he conveniently misses out pointing how his own party too has done the same.
All in all, the book is pretty great to read, especially the factual part one and even part two that provides a great of insight on Ambedkar’s understanding on specific points like Hindu religion or tribal systems, minus, of course, the views of the historian-politician. If you do read those too and need a balancing act, Shourie’s book is a great place to start.
All in all, the book is pretty great to read, especially the factual part one and even part two that provides a great of insight on Ambedkar’s understanding on specific points like Hindu religion or tribal systems, minus, of course, the views of the historian-politician. If you do read those too and need a balancing act, Shourie’s book is a great place to start.
December 10, 2024
A surprisingly lightly-researched book about one of India's founding fathers, who was highly controversial in life, but has been lionised in death. Tharoor explains the latter well, apart from his rather facile explanation that Ambedkar was unable to gain electoral success because the system of reserved constituencies required him to appeal to others apart from his core group of SCs/Dalits (don't all politicians need to build coalitions of supporters beyond their core constituency or identity-group?).
Ambedkar was a towering intellectual. Sadly Tharoor appears to have read only 3 of the great man's works (which are cited in the Bibliography), which limits the depth of his analysis -- particularly of Ambedkar's highly-regarded PhD thesis on fiscal federalism in British India. Tharoor also appears to have only briefly skimmed Ambedkar's brilliant book "Pakistan or the Partition of India", much of which was prescient and highly applicable to the Indian Subcontinent today. Tharoor focuses merely on Ambedkar as a fighter for Dalit rights, without engaging at all with his brilliant work on economics at all.
Ambedkar was a towering intellectual. Sadly Tharoor appears to have read only 3 of the great man's works (which are cited in the Bibliography), which limits the depth of his analysis -- particularly of Ambedkar's highly-regarded PhD thesis on fiscal federalism in British India. Tharoor also appears to have only briefly skimmed Ambedkar's brilliant book "Pakistan or the Partition of India", much of which was prescient and highly applicable to the Indian Subcontinent today. Tharoor focuses merely on Ambedkar as a fighter for Dalit rights, without engaging at all with his brilliant work on economics at all.
October 29, 2022
This book is the journey of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's life and his ideology.The author writes about the death of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar in 131 pages and the book is of 226 pages. It was understood that Ambedkar had to live several hundred years more than the number of years he physically lived on this earth. So in the remaining pages till today society is written with their ideals.
He was not only constitutionalist public emblem albeit he is a synonyms of depressed class. Always tried to empower dalit even though he went against the Gandhi for them in scant situations,Gandhi and other leaders were aware Ambedkar is the only one who can understand the value and morality of the society.
Despite having a lot of differences with Gandhi and with the other Congress leaders they all believed that a good society should be structured by all.
Ambedkar's ideas have been carried forward in the best way and have been linked to today's social ,political and economical situations.
📖📖📚👏🏻👏🏻
He was not only constitutionalist public emblem albeit he is a synonyms of depressed class. Always tried to empower dalit even though he went against the Gandhi for them in scant situations,Gandhi and other leaders were aware Ambedkar is the only one who can understand the value and morality of the society.
Despite having a lot of differences with Gandhi and with the other Congress leaders they all believed that a good society should be structured by all.
Ambedkar's ideas have been carried forward in the best way and have been linked to today's social ,political and economical situations.
📖📖📚👏🏻👏🏻
December 7, 2024
The preface of the book clears the thoughts about the book being heavily quoted. Dr Ambedkar has been more of a man of words more than action and the Author accepts book being lacking in action. But for sure, it is full of thoughts…
Much has been said and written about Dr Ambedkar and through this book also i got the overview of his life, his ideological thoughts on topics as diverse as Caste to finance to pakistan to linguistic states, difference with Gandhi, his love for books (50,000 at last count), his strong feeling for constitutional morality instead of religious morality.
The wide range of fields studied and commented by Dr Ambedkar has been elaborated lucidly in the book.
Much has been said and written about Dr Ambedkar and through this book also i got the overview of his life, his ideological thoughts on topics as diverse as Caste to finance to pakistan to linguistic states, difference with Gandhi, his love for books (50,000 at last count), his strong feeling for constitutional morality instead of religious morality.
The wide range of fields studied and commented by Dr Ambedkar has been elaborated lucidly in the book.
November 7, 2022
When I started reading the first chapter, I felt some parts like copy paste from the writings of Dr Ambedkar (Especially Waiting for Visa). But soon the writing turned out to be a scholarly review of the works of and about Dr Ambedkar. The last part distills the available literature to take the essence, mix it with a personal touch, and present it in a unique cocktail which I relished much. A good (essential) read for those who dare not to get lost in the thicket of voluminous writings of Dr Ambedkar.
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