My book, Dr. Ambedkar on Muslims (DV Aug.1, 2003 p.10) is written in the backdrop of the recent controversy created by certain statements of Vinay Katiyar, the President of Uttar Pradesh BJP, claiming that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar had called Muslims terrorist, that he was anti-Muslims, that Hindus and Muslims could never live together etc.
The manner in which he responded to certain rejoinders that appeared in press could create an impression in the minds of majority of people that Katiyar claim was true. He was seemingly referring to a book Pakistan or Partition of India, authored by Dr. Ambedkar in 1940 on the contemporary problem that had seized the imagination of the entire country. The book was so exhaustive and objective in its treatment of the problem that soon it was used as an authentic source by both, Hindus as well as Muslims in pre-independence their parleys. None could ever accuse it of any bias for or against any community. Such a book was being used by katiyar to tarnish the image of Dr. Ambedkar by painting him so pelty as to be against Muslims. It was not only an issue of hurting the sentiments of the entire Dalit community for whom Dr. Ambedkar is a god, but it was also an affront to all those who considered Dr. Ambedkar as an icon for liberal democracy.
The book does not entirely concern the Katiyar controversy, however. It is not the first time that such a canard against Dr. Ambedkar is fabricated and issued from the Hindu nazis. in their endeavor to co-opt Dr. Ambedkar,
He who vociferously discarded Hinduism was made out to be the greatest benefactor of the Hindus, he who envisioned human destiny in terms of liberty, equality and fraternity was made out to be a petty nationalist.
These and many such myths about Dr. Ambedkar are causing considerable damage to the democratic fabric of our republic. As for Dalits, the Hindu nazis largely succeeded in wooing the self-seeking Dalit elites into its fold but now it is eyingy the Dalit-masses to be its foot soldiers and its gun. fodder as in the last Gujarat Genocide-2002. Controversy around Dr. Ambedkar, whether in deifying him as Pratah Smaraniya or maligning him as ‘false god’ is thus linked to this larger agenda of demolishing emancipation project of Dalits and secular democratic fabric of Indian Republic.
Right since the facts about Dalits having been used ag4 Hindutva’s foot soldiers in the Gujarat Genocide-2002 poured in, | wanted to write some such treatise that will help Dalits regain their ideological moorings. | have done some such writings by stray articles and papers analyzing the hows and whys of the Gujarat Genocide in particular reference to the Dalits. One of the concomitant issues thrown up by this incident was the need to bring Dalits, » Tribals and all other religious minorities, particularly Muslims and Christians together to see commonality in their situation.
Historically, these oppressed 4people were hopelessly divided without any communication between them whatsoever. This was particularly true of Dalits and Muslims. So, it was imperative to establish a process of communication between these communities. None other than Dr. Ambedkar, of who virtually symbolizes Dalit ideology, provided a platform for this. The Hindu nazis have been shrewdly mutating this ideclogy by selectively picking up his writings and”sayings and projecting him saffron colours. One the first Reconstruction tasks in the of Dalit emancipation project as per my humble understanding was to Dr Ambedkar,. reconstruct reinterpret him sans-context of times and present him as a ideological weapon to fight today’s battle.
11 MYTHS
My attempt in this direction has been going on for years. They are well received by the progressive Dalits and non-Dalits. For the present case the opportunity came when Vinay Katiyar created the controversy around the issue. Around this time VAK requested me to take up this issue for their ‘Myths and Facts’ series. | began writing and it defied the normal length of their M&F. It was decided to bring out in a book form. And here it is.
The “Myth and Facts” format incidentally came as the most appropriate format to serve the objective behind the book as outlined above. One thing is it is direct. It helps in effectively nailing lies. It can be read selectively unlike a full-length book. The size also comes in handy- the small books cost less, get read.
The book deals with 11 myths that were selected through a brainstorming process, largely concerning the Muslim community and covering the entire familiar canard against Dr. Ambedkar.
These myths are listed in the announcement of the book in DV of Aug.1, 2003.
These myth-blastings are enveloped in an illumining Introduction that sets the context for the text and “Concluding Remarks” which tries to restore true radical Dr. Ambedkar as an icon for the ensuing struggle against fascist porgramme of the Hindu nazis.
