Gandhi and Ambedkar By RAHUL IIT DELHI Mahatma

Gandhi and Ambedkar By RAHUL, IIT DELHI

“Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. ” - 2015 UPSC Mains

CASTE SYSTEM Gandhiji Dr. Ambedkar • Present Caste system was a distortion of the Original Caste System • Believed in “Annihilation of Caste”, which was also the title of one of his books as it is inherently dysfunctional. • Caste system promotes division of labor and stability in society by discouraging unnecessary competition • The system is not division of labour, but division of labourers without any possibility of changing occupation.

HINDUISM Gandhiji • Dalits were a part of Hindu community and exhorted Hindus to reform from within • Fasted against Communal Award which provided for separate electorates for Dalits – resulted in Poona Pact. Dr. Ambedkar • “I was born a Hindu, but I shall not die a Hindu” • Hinduism cannot be reformed, hence it is logical for Dalits to convert. • Converted to Buddhism with thousands of followers on October 14, 1956

Dr. Ambedkar with MR Jayakar and Pt Madan Mohan Malviya after Poona Pact

Eradication of Untouchability • Led Mahad Satyagrah to allow untouchables to use public facilities like public ponds (See Figure) • Started Bahishkrit Hitkarni Sabha to wage struggle for civil rights

Eradication of Untouchability • Tried to “persuade” people and bring a change of heart – true to his position on non-coercion and ahimsa • Everyone in his ashrams did the cleaning work • Started Harijan Sevak Sangh

Gandhiji OTHER DIFFERENCES Dr. Ambedkar • Believed in “Village Republics” which are – Self-sufficient and self-sustaining • Centralization creates dependence and unemployment Decentralization • “What is a village but a sink of localism, a den of ignorance, narrow-mindedness and communalism? ” • State to take lead in social reform • Believed in Cottage Industry in line with idea of village republics • Industrialization creates unemployment and impoverishment Economy • Favored Industrialization to abolish poverty • Believed in modern principles of economics, he was not a socialist.