Apr 18, 2008 06:41 PM
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During a casual walk in the aisle of a bookshop in search of a good book, I noticed one with Dr. Ambedkar's photo on it. Not particularly a big fan, A pot-bellied Dr. Ambedkar climbing an aircraft and waving was a good picture which needed a second look. The title to my amazement was "Worshipping False Gods" by Arun shourie. Now, last time I heard this author’s name was as a cabinet minister. I flipped to read the back cover words and the last line ".i myself will tear it" was enough to make me shell out Rs. 450/- Thus began my longest duration read of any book I can remember till date.
The caption of the book is "Ambedkar, and the facts that have been erased". Through this book, Arun shourie asks the most uncomfortable question: whether Dr. Ambedkar deserves the adulations that he is receiving today. Arun shourie recounts with numerous excerpts of Dr. Ambedkar's writings and speeches published by the Maharashtra Government. Some serious charges are leveled against Dr. Ambedkar. one, he was against India getting freedom without a separate electorate for the "depressed classes", Two, he was inducted into the Viceroy’s Executive Council to wrest dalits away from Hindu society, hence dividing India further; three, he was busy serving British causes as a member of the cabinet instead of supporting the freedom fervor at that moment.
The book is a drag sometimes with paragraphs repeated in few places which make you wonder whether you are reading the already read sections/pages. The only thing that kept me going was to read things that I usually do not get to read else where. Considering that Arun shourie provides numerous references, it is amazing read the kind of material that is kept out of common people. But, quoting few sentences and leaving out the implications to the reader might lead to distorting the actual spirit of the speech text. Nevertheless, the way, the book is written, questions are bound to rise on the patriotism of Dr. Ambedkar. It is another matter that we get to read on Dr. Ambedkar as the author of constitution but not as a freedom fighter. Arun shourie says it is because Dr. Ambedkar was a member of viceroy's council(equivalent to cabinet minister today) doing the bidding of the British.
Too many uncomfortable questions and too many excerpts with references; no wonder a section of citizens want this book banned! Few excerpts: In the speech Ambedkar addresses the prime minister and says, ".Their position(the depressed classes), to put it plainly, is that we are not anxious for transfer of power from the British to the Indian people. Their position, to put it plainly, is that we are not anxious for transfer of political power." Ambedkar was one of the few politicians who supported the Muslim League demand for Pakistan The Viceroy noted, "He(Ambedkar) was quite clear that Muslims proposed to hold to their demands and so gradually lay the foundation of Pakistan, and he was perfectly content himself with that state of things, and in favor of the Pakistan idea quite frankly because it meant the British would have to stay in India. A must read if you like to have a controversial view of facts available on Dr. Ambedkar.
