BOOK REVIEW:
12 WORDS TO UNDERSTAND THE FUNDAMENTAL
PRINCIPLES OF AMBEDKAR
- S. Gautham Ambedkar
அம்பேத்கருடையை அடிப்படைக் கூறுகளைப் புரிந்து கொள்ள
12 வார்த்தைகள்
Not frequent are the books that can enable the
Ambekarites to be the able-captains of the ship that can successfully sail
across the Hindutva Sea. In the midst of
the turbulence that deters the Unmarriagebles to understand the mind of
Babasaheb, Mr. Gautam Ambedkar has attempted in his own typical style to offer
a guide to embrace the learned Doctor better.
Among the 12 words, the internal and external
limitations are noteworthy. While talking about the serious limitation that is
suffered even by Sovereignty, Dr Ambedkar quotes Dicey in order to explain
these two concepts. These are rarely highlighted and understood in the
mainstream discourses of the politics of Unmarriageables. As a reader, I am
excited to encounter them in the book. One who possesses the ‘Political Power’
is constrained by his internal limitation and also by the external limitation
of the governed, warns the author.
Equally important is the last 3 word, introduced by
Mr. Gautam Ambedkar, namely Speaker, Audience and Executors. It is crucial to
understand each of the Doctor’s work in this light. The Unmarriageables can
rightly be deterred from taking up the problem of the Caste Hindus and the
Hindu Society by employing these 3 words especially in the present times where
reformation of Hindu society is alluring at the cost of the emancipation of the
Unmarriageables.
The short and striking manner in which issue of Sri
Lankan Buddhism is handled brings a smile of relief.
The compilation of what is Democracy in chapter 9 is
a useful exercise. The author reminds that all the works addressed to Caste
Hindus by Dr Ambedkar should be construed as the requisites for the democracy.
True. Very True!
Since a lot of references from BAWS is given
throughout the book, a compilation of them as endnotes or footnotes would help the
readers to distinctively grasp the author’s arguments. The book in order to be
internalized in its pith and substance places a restriction on the readers to
be well aware of BAWS (Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches). Despite this
restriction, the book, on the other hand, also serves as an impetus for the
readers to take up BAWS. The author’s commentary on the present
socio-politico-religious events as essays and articles by wielding the lens of
Ambedkarism (in which he is undoubtedly a reliable expert) would definitely
take him closer to the masses. These are my desires rather than suggestions.
The more and more I read and revise BAWS, stronger
is my conviction nowadays that it is nearly impossible to have a mastery over
his writings and speeches. To conclude with the analogy used in the
introduction, not everyone may explore the entire ocean of Ambedkarism but we
all can become the able-captains deterring the shipwrecks while sailing in the
different seas of Ambedkarism. Not to Misunderstand Babasaheb has become more
important than the Need to Understand Babasaheb. With the dangers of shipwreck
(the hijacking of Dr Ambedkar and twisting of his principles) existing in the
present Hindutva times, Mr. Gautam Ambedkar offers a reliable compass to the
captains of the ship. It is for us to make use of it.
