Worshipping False Gods

1. Ambedkar's Complex Legacy: A Nation's Shifting Deities

A nation forges deities in its imaginings, in its sacred literature, in wood and stone... When the nation is overpowered physically, when it is vanquished spiritually and intellectually, it is made to shift, and per force it actually shifts those representations from public places and cabines them within private dwellings.

Shifting representations. Nations create deities that reflect their accumulated experiences and needs. When a nation is defeated, it often abandons its own gods and begins worshipping those of the conquerors. This cycle of idolization and repudiation is a recurring theme in history, and India is no exception.

Modern idolization. In contemporary India, figures like Ambedkar have been elevated to near-deity status, with statues, holidays, and universities named in his honor. This deification contrasts sharply with the neglect of other national heroes and the criticism of figures like Gandhi.

Inversion of history. This idolization is fueled by a combination of factors, including the reduction of the freedom struggle to a few paragraphs in textbooks, the rise of casteist politics, and the verbal terrorism employed by some of Ambedkar's followers. This has led to a situation where figures who collaborated with the country's enemies are now revered, while those who fought for its freedom are often criticized.

2. The Freedom Fighter: A Critical Examination of Ambedkar's Role

There is not one instance, not one single, solitary instance in which Ambedkar participated in any activity connected with that struggle to free the country.

Absence from the struggle. Despite a public career that overlapped with India's struggle for independence, Ambedkar never participated in any activity connected with that movement. Instead, he consistently opposed the campaigns of the national movement and cheered its setbacks.

Loyalty to the British. Ambedkar's writings and actions reveal a deep loyalty to the British rulers. He pleaded with them to recognize their moral responsibility towards the Scheduled Castes, arguing that British rule in India owed its existence to the help of the Untouchables.

Opposition to Congress. Ambedkar actively opposed the Congress and its leaders, viewing their fight for freedom as a sham designed to perpetuate the tyranny of the "governing classes." He characterized the Congress as a Hindu body and Gandhi as a hypocrite who was deceiving the Untouchables.

3. The Loyal Minister: Ambedkar's Service in the British Government

Thus, while the years culminated in the country’s Independence, in Ambedkar’s case they culminated in his becoming a member of the Viceroy’s Council, that is—to use the current terms—a minister in the British Cabinet in India.

Minister in the British Cabinet. While the national movement was reaching its peak, Ambedkar accepted a position as a minister in the British Viceroy's Council. This appointment was a culmination of his long-standing collaboration with the British.

Coordinated actions. Ambedkar's actions were often coordinated with the British, serving their interests and undermining the national movement. He was used as a counterweight to the Congress, and his views were amplified by the British to sow discord and division.

Denunciation of Congress. As a minister, Ambedkar actively denounced the Congress and its leaders, echoing the British narrative that the Congress was a Hindu body and that its fight for freedom was a sham. He characterized Gandhi's movement as "unjustified" and "unnecessary."

4. The Government He Joined: A Study in Collaboration and Convenience

He is inclined, unfortunately, to attribute the difficulties of his own position to influences at work against him because he is a member of the Depressed Classes, and from that it is an easy step to the belief that we do not concern ourselves about him unduly because we do not think it worth-while to secure the support of the Depressed Classes.

Personal ambition. Ambedkar's desire for a position of influence was a driving force behind his collaboration with the British. He often attributed his difficulties to discrimination, but his actions suggest a primary concern for his own advancement.

British calculations. The British saw Ambedkar as a useful ally in their efforts to counter the Congress and divide Indian society. They rewarded him with positions of influence and used his views to justify their policies.

Convenient alliance. Ambedkar's collaboration with the British was a convenient alliance that served both his personal ambitions and the British strategy of divide and rule. He was willing to take positions that were convenient for the British, even if they undermined the national movement.

5. The Social Reformer: A British Stratagem and Its Indian Advocate

For India the latter part of the nineteenth and the first half of the twentieth centuries have one great theme: the leaders of the movement for national revival... were engaged in a mighty effort to roll back the debilitating effects of the calumnies about our culture and religion which Christian missionaries and British rulers had implanted in our minds.

Missionary influence. Christian missionaries and British rulers had long sought to undermine Indian culture and religion. Ambedkar's writings and actions often echoed these calumnies, portraying Hindu society as inherently oppressive and unjust.

Divide and rule. The British used the strategy of divide and rule to maintain their control over India. They sought to create divisions within Indian society by promoting the idea that different groups had irreconcilable interests.

Ambedkar's role. Ambedkar became a key figure in this strategy, advocating for the separateness of the Scheduled Castes and opposing the national movement for freedom. His views were often aligned with those of the British and the missionaries.

6. The Manu of Our Times?: Questioning Ambedkar's Constitutional Role

The Congress had complete control over the Constituent Assembly... it was because of the large-heartedness of the Congress leaders and their decision that all must be joined in completing the national task that Ambedkar was ‘elected’ the chairman of this Committee.

Myth of authorship. Despite the widespread belief that Ambedkar was the sole author of the Indian Constitution, the reality is that he was one of many contributors. The Constitution was the result of a collective effort, with numerous committees and individuals involved in its drafting.

Limited role. Ambedkar's role was primarily that of a rapporteur, tasked with translating the decisions of the Constituent Assembly into legal language. He was not the sole architect of the Constitution, and his views were often overruled or modified by the Assembly.

Congress magnanimity. Ambedkar's position as chairman of the Drafting Committee was a result of the Congress leadership's decision to include all sections of society in the process of nation-building. Despite his past opposition to the Congress, he was given a prominent role in the drafting of the Constitution.

7. Invention, Intimidation, Assault: The Tactics of Deification

And, of course, these persons have made a practice of denouncing and calumnizing Mahatma Gandhi: Gandhiji was the great leader, even more so he was the great symbol of that struggle for freedom; as Ambedkar collaborated with the British to undermine him, as for twenty-five years he heaped on the Mahatma calumnies which the British found so valuable, his apologists abuse and denigrate and belittle the Mahatma.

Verbal terrorism. Ambedkar's followers often resort to verbal terrorism and intimidation to silence any criticism of his actions or views. This tactic is used to suppress dissenting opinions and maintain the myth of Ambedkar's infallibility.

Physical assault. In addition to verbal attacks, some of Ambedkar's followers have resorted to physical assault to silence critics. This violence is used to enforce their version of history and to intimidate those who challenge their narrative.

Suppression of facts. The deification of Ambedkar has led to the suppression of facts that contradict the myth. This includes the erasure of his collaboration with the British, his opposition to the national movement, and his denunciation of Gandhi.

8. The Constitution's True Authorship: A Collective Effort

The writings of Ambedkar follow the same pattern. The Maharashtra government has by now published fourteen volumes of the speeches and writings of Ambedkar. These cover 9,996 pages. Volumes up to the twelfth contain his speeches and writings up to 1946. These extend to 7,371 pages. You would be hard put to find one article, one speech, one passage in which Ambedkar can be seen even by inference to be arguing for India’s Independence. Quite the contrary.

Multiple contributors. The Indian Constitution was not the work of a single individual but the result of a collective effort involving numerous committees, subcommittees, and individuals. The process was iterative, with drafts being revised and modified based on feedback and debate.

Influence of the past. The Constitution drew heavily on existing legal frameworks, including the Government of India Act of 1935 and the constitutions of other countries. It was not a completely original document but a synthesis of various ideas and experiences.

Iterative process. The Constitution evolved through a process of discussion, debate, and compromise. Different viewpoints were considered, and decisions were often made through voting. The final document was a product of this collective deliberation.

9. The Tug of Events: How History Shaped the Constitution

The Congress had complete control over the Constituent Assembly. Of the 296 seats, the Congress had won 205. The Muslim League had won 73. But the latter had boycotted the Assembly, demanding instead a separate Assembly for an independent Pakistan. Therefore, the Congress had 205 of 223 seats.

Turbulent times. The Indian Constitution was framed during a period of immense turmoil, including the Partition of the country, the integration of princely states, and the assassination of Gandhi. These events had a profound impact on the drafting process.

Shifting priorities. The focus of the Constituent Assembly shifted from a decentralized federation to a strong central government in response to the challenges of Partition. The need for unity and stability became paramount.

Compromises and accommodations. The Constitution was the result of numerous compromises and accommodations between different groups and viewpoints. The leaders of the Congress, in particular, were willing to put aside their differences and work together to create a document that would serve the interests of the entire nation.

10. Two Overarching Determinants: Power and Prejudice

The net result of the last fifty years is that once again in India today that same sequence is afoot. The Lokmanya is as good as forgotten. Few outside Kerala know of Narayan Guru. Apart from a narrow circle of devotees no one remembers what Swami Dayananda, Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, Sri Aurobindo, Ramana Maharshi, the Paramacharya at Kanchi did to stand us on our feet. Swami Vivekananda is dusted up and taken out on occasion—dressed up exactly as the secularist he would have berated. Gandhiji is in the dock every day—one day for having been a throwback, the next for having pushed the Muslim leaders into insisting on Pakistan. And persons like Ambedkar are deified.

Power dynamics. The deification of Ambedkar is a result of the power dynamics at play in Indian society. Politicians have used his name to garner votes, and his followers have used intimidation and violence to silence critics.

Prejudice and bias. The deification of Ambedkar has also been fueled by prejudice and bias. His followers have often used his name to justify their own hatred and discrimination against other groups.

Consequences of deification. The deification of Ambedkar has led to a distorted understanding of history and a suppression of facts. It has also created a climate of fear and intimidation that prevents open and honest discussion about his legacy.

Last updated: January 28, 2025