Gandhi - An "Episode," Not An Epoch-Maker
Ambedkar began by expressing his surprise at Gandhi's popularity in the West. He said that Gandhi's significance was artificially maintained by yearly commemorations conducted by the congress and described him as "an episode in the history of India" as opposed to an epoch-maker. Ambedkar thought that Gandhi's legacy would have vanished from the public mind in the absence of these. Regarding India, he stated, "In my opinion, he was a chapter in India's history rather than an epoch-maker."
Gandhi is already no longer remembered by the citizens of this nation. His memory is preserved because the congress party celebrates seven days a week with holidays. People's memories are naturally resurrected. However, I believe gandhi would be long forgotten if this artificial respiration had not been administered.
Exposing Gandhi's "Double-Dealing"
What Ambedkar saw as Gandhi's deceit was the subject of one of his harshest criticisms. "If you read these two papers, you will see how Mr. gandhi was deceiving the people," he said, accusing gandhi of putting on various fronts for different audiences. He presented himself as a democrat and an opponent of the caste system and untouchability in the english publication. However, his Gujarati magazine portrays him as a more traditional man who upholds the varnaashrama dharma and the caste structure.
Ambedkar noted that Gandhi's Gujarati publications included paradoxes that the Western world, which mostly read his english works, was unaware of. "Someone ought to write Mr. Gandhi's biography by making a comparative study of the statements he made in Harijan and those in his Gujarati paper," he said, urging biographers to examine Gandhi's twin narratives. His english works, not his Gujarati writings, form the foundation of every biography that has been published about him.
The Poona Pact: A Clash Of Ideologies
During the Poona Pact discussions, Ambedkar and gandhi had their most direct exchange. "In the original award, the british government accepted my suggestion to give the Scheduled Castes separate electorates," he said. gandhi opposed us sending our actual delegates. He said that if the reward were to be enforced, he would die and go on a fast.
Gandhi's oversimplified conception of societal peace was criticized by Ambedkar: "We live apart from the Hindus for five years, with no social or spiritual interaction. How can these centuries-old, hardened crusts of separatism be removed by a single day of widespread voting participation?
In the end, Ambedkar made concessions by suggesting that Scheduled Castes hold primary elections before the main election. "Gandhi's object was that we should not get free independent representatives," he said, expressing his continued skepticism about Gandhi's motivations. He did it at his whim. I refused to put my people's interests ahead of his to spare his life.
Gandhi's Limited Vision For Untouchables
Gandhi's emphasis on symbolic changes like temple access was criticized by Ambedkar, who dismissed them as meaningless, saying that "Hindu temples are no longer important to anyone." The untouchables are now so aware that visiting temples has no bearing whatsoever. Living in untouchable quarters is a requirement regardless of whether you visit the temple or not.
"Mr. gandhi was completely opposed to giving us equal opportunities to hold high offices so that we could protect our own people," he said, highlighting Gandhi's lack of commitment to resolving structural injustices. His goal was not to elevate the Scheduled Castes to the status of other groups, but rather to abolish untouchability.
"Never A Mahatma"
Ambedkar's conviction that gandhi lacked the moral and social vitality to merit the title of "Mahatma" was the basis for his refusal to use it. gandhi, according to Ambedkar, was not a saint but rather a cunning politician whose actions were frequently dictated by political scheming and personal whims. "As a politician, he was never a mahatma," he said. I wouldn't address him as Mahatma. I never referred to him as mahatma throughout my life. Even in terms of his moral character, he was undeserving of such distinction.
Beyond politics, Ambedkar criticized gandhi for his erratic morals and lack of sincere reformist fervor. Ambedkar's critique of gandhi provides a powerful refutation of the popular worship of the "Father of the Nation." Ambedkar brought attention to the intricacies of India's fight for independence and social justice by highlighting Gandhi's inconsistencies and shortcomings. His unwillingness to give gandhi the title of "Mahatma" demonstrates his unwavering dedication to an uncompromising vision of equality and oppressed people's emancipation. Ambedkar devoted his life to pursuing the concept that transformational action, rather than words or symbolic gestures, was the ultimate measure of greatness.