B R Ambedkar

There was a report in “Asian Age” of 29.4.1999 that quoted Neelalohitadasan Nadar, a minister in Kerala government protesting against the depiction of Narayana Guru as a normal and regular Hindu Sanyasi in appropriating him to Hindutva and RSS Parivar. Even if it is admitted that the Guru through his writings and practices did uphold Hindu values, the concept and contention of the Guru was not of orthodox Hindus. He was a rebel using Hindu scriptures and teachings against all communal and high caste forces. The upper caste Hindus never accepted Narayana Guru as a revered swami nor did they accept the oneness of all religions as propounded by him. These historical facts are completely obliterated in transforming the Guru as a Hindu swami. The same transformation effected in case of Swami Vivekananda as well. The Swami was reduced to an agitator against Muslim and Christian religion and their work of conversion of people to their respective faiths. Almost similar fate awaits Dr. B.R.Ambedkar in the hands of Hindutva protagonists. The Sangha Parivar meticulously researched for quotes from Dr.Ambedkar to demonize the acts of conversions resorted by other religions. The Hindu right writings completely ignored the voluminous writings of Ambedkar against Hindu religion in all its phases. Major parts of Ambedkar’s writings are critiques of Hinduism as such. It was because of such writings the Hindu right led by the RSS in Maharashtra agitated to ban publishing of Ambedkar´s writings. However, there are several parties and groups both political and social practicing and defending him against absorption by Hindu right, while in case of Vivekananda and Narayana Guru there are none. The Ramakrishna Mission as well as the SNDP Yogam is steeped in their tradition and more and the founders intended more evolved into Hindu cults instead of spearheading social revolution for which there. The ruling BJP uses its religious card to take over all the revolutionary social formations advocated by Swami Vivekananda, Narayana Guru and Ambedkar and many more.

K.N.Krishnan.

30.4.1999.