The Radical in Ambedkar: Critical Reflections

Description

This landmark volume, edited and introduced by Anand Teltumbde and Suraj Yengde, establishes B.R. Ambedkar as the most powerful advocate of equality and fraternity in modern India. While the vibrant Dalit movement recognizes Ambedkar as an agent for social change, the intellectual class has celebrated him as the key architect of the Indian Constitution and the political establishment has sought to limit his concerns to the question of reservations. This remarkable volume seeks to unpack the radical in Ambedkar's legacy by examining his life work from hitherto unexplored perspectives. Although revered by millions today primarily as a Dalit icon, Ambedkar was a serious scholar of India's history, society and foreign policy. He was also among the first dedicated human rights lawyers, as well as a journalist and a statesman. Critically evaluating his thought and work, the essays in this book-by Jean Drèze, Partha Chatterjee, Sukhadeo Thorat, Manu Bhagavan, Anupama Rao and other internationally renowned names-discuss Ambedkar's theory on minority rights, the consequences of the mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism, Dalit oppression in the context of racism and anti-Semitism, and the value of his thought for Marxism and feminism, among other global concerns. An extraordinary collection of immense breadth and scholarship that challenges the popular understanding of Ambedkar, The Radical in Ambedkar is essential reading for all those who wish to imagine a new future. Title page......Page 3 Contents......Page 4 Advance Praise for the Book......Page 6 Dedication......Page 7 INTRODUCTION: Reclaiming the Radical in Ambedkar’s Praxis......Page 8 I: AMBEDKAR’S STRUGGLE IN THE GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE......Page 21 1. Ambedkar and King: The Subjugation of Caste or Race vis-à-vis Colourism......Page 23 2. Can Ambedkar Speak to Africa? Colour, Caste and Class Struggles in Contemporary South Africa......Page 31 3. Criminalized Castes: Dalits, African Americans and the Jews of Christian Europe......Page 39 4. African-American Perspective on Common Struggles: Benefits for African Americans Comparing Their Struggle with Dalit Liberation Efforts......Page 45 5. Hate Crimes, Crimes of Atrocity and Affirmative Action in India and the US......Page 55 6. Ambedkar’s Foreign Policy and the Ellipsis of the ‘Dalit’ from International Activism......Page 71 II: AMBEDKAR’S SCHOLARSHIP......Page 81 7. Ambedkar’s Theory of Minority Rights......Page 83 8. Lawyering as Politics: The Legal Practice of Dr Ambedkar, Bar at Law......Page 97 III: AMBEDKAR’S REVOLUTION......Page 106 9. Three Moments in the Annihilation of Caste: Marx, Weber, Ambedkar......Page 108 10. Dr Ambedkar and the Future of Indian Democracy......Page 117 11. New Dalit Movements: An Ambedkarite Perspective......Page 123 12. Bisociative Revolution: The Emergence of the Concept......Page 133 13. Strategy of Conversion to Buddhism: Intent and Aftermath......Page 143 IV: AMBEDKAR AND THE MOTIFS OF FREEDOM......Page 154 14. Beyond the Nation: Ambedkar and the Anti-isolation of Fellowship......Page 156 15. Political Economy of Caste Discrimination and Atrocities: Why Does Caste Discrimination Persist Despite Law?......Page 162 V: THE RADICAL HUMANISM OF AMBEDKAR......Page 174 16 The Politics of Navayana Buddhism: Reinterpreting Ambedkar’s Turn to Religion......Page 176 17. A Derridean Reading of Ambedkar’s The Buddha and His Dhamma......Page 183 VI: AMBEDKAR, A CRITICAL RADICAL PERSPECTIVE......Page 191 18. Strange Bedfellows Sideline Ambedkar......Page 193 19. Ambedkar Icons: Whys and Wherefores......Page 202 20. Ambedkar’s Dalit and the Problem of Caste Subalternity......Page 209 21. Ambedkar beyond the Critique of Indology: Sexuality and Feminism in the Field of Caste......Page 219 Appendix......Page 228 A Note on the Contributors......Page 229 Notes......Page 233 Acknowledgements......Page 282 Follow Penguin......Page 283 Copyright......Page 285