Essential works of Dr BR Ambedkar one must read to understand caste

The month of April is observed as Dalit History Month since 2013 to remember the historical oppression and marginalisation of Dalit communities in India and to highlight the works of anticaste leaders artists scholars writers and activists It is also a celebration of these contributions which have created a space for Dalit expression and assertion in the mainstream cultureOn World Book Day we look at works of Dr BR Ambedkar the champion of the social justice movement in the country who extensively wrote on caste religion politics and economics of 20th Century India To understand caste and other inequalities in Indian society one must read the following texts by the architect of the Constitution of IndiaAnnihilation of CasteOne of the most important social and political speeches written by Dr BR Ambedkar in 1936 lsquoAnnihilation of Castersquo is a gateway to anticaste literature and sets the stage for conversations that question a Hindursquos religious and cultural belief system Written for the JatPat Todak Mandal a social reform organisation of Caste Hindus the speech remained undelivered because of opposition from the members to parts of the speech These are the parts where Dr Ambedkar succinctly lays out the fundamental problems of caste foundations of the Hindu religion the technicalities of Hindu texts and the way in which Brahminism operated in the Indian subcontinent For complete annihilation of caste the speech elaborates on the need to annihilate the Hindu scriptures which continued to strengthen the caste system in multiple waysWaiting for a VisalsquoWaiting for a Visarsquo is a 20page autobiographical account written by Dr Ambedkar between 1935 and 1936 First published as a booklet in 1990 by the Peoplersquos Education Society the book is a touching account of some of Dr Ambedkarrsquos most distressing experiences with caste during his lifetime In six chapters he goes on to narrate these instances to elaborate on how caste system impeded access of the Dalit communities to water public transport education jobs and ultimately to a dignified lifeDr Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and SpeecheslsquoDr Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speechesrsquo is a collection of seventeen volumes of writings by Dr Ambedkar published by the government of Maharashtra Available at the Government Press Library at Marine Lines one can purchase the books for a reasonable amount ranging between Rs 150 and Rs 300 These volumes are also available online for free at the Ministry of Social Justice website and other online platforms centred on anticaste literatureCheck out Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and SpeechesCastes in India Their Mechanism Genesis and DevelopmentThis was a paper read by Dr Ambedkar at Columbia University in 1916 A part of the volumes collected by the government of Maharashtra lsquoCastes in Indiarsquo is an important document discussing the genesis of caste in Indian society in context of practices like endogamy sati and child marriage and its global implications as a cultural identityRiddles in Hinduism An Exposition to Enlighten the MassesIn lsquoRiddles in Hinduismrsquo Dr Ambedkar dissects the philosophy of Hinduism and presents the interpretation and analysis in parts as riddles In its introductory section he writes ldquoThis book is an exposition of the beliefs propounded by what might be called Brahmanic theology It is intended for the common mass of Hindus who need to be awakened to know in what quagmire the Brahmins have placed them and to lead them on to the road of rational thinkingrdquo A part of Volume 2 of lsquoDr Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speechesrsquo this is another important book to understand caste and HinduismMook Nayak and Bahishkrit BharatldquoThere is no better source than the newspaper to suggest the remedy against the injustice that is being done to our people at present and will be done in the future and also to discuss the ways and means for our progress in the futurerdquo Dr BR Ambedkar in Mook Nayak 1920As the quote suggests Mook Nayak Leader of the Mute and Bahishkrut Bharat Ostracised India are the collection of editorials written by Dr Ambedkar in the newspapers of the same name launched by him in 1920 and in 1927 Dr Ambedkarrsquos journalistic works still remain an unexplored and lesser discussed area in the mainstream media His journalistic writings reflect the entrenched realities of castesystem and poverty in India An astute journalist with impeccable analytical skills and the right balance of sarcasm and humour in his tone of writing he could communicate his message to the masses sharply and impactfully These books are also available at the Government Press Library at Charni RoadIn addition to the above mentioned books there exist writings by Dr Ambedkar which focus not only on social subjects but are also an analysis of political and economic affairs of the country at the time Some of these include lsquoGandhi Ranade and Jinnahrsquo lsquoThe Problem of the Rupeersquo lsquoWho were the Shudrasrsquo lsquoPakistan or the Partition of Indiarsquo lsquoThe Pali Grammarrsquo and lsquoWhat Congress and Gandhi have done to the Untouchables Mr Gandhi and the Emanicipation of the Untouchablesrsquo among others