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Annihilation Of Caste (2000)

by B.R. Ambedkar(Favorite Author)

4.57 of 5 Votes: 3

ISBN

8187190442 (ISBN13: 9788187190448)

languge

English

genre

Young Adult Fantasy & Science Fiction

publisher

Blumoon Books

review 1: I was stunned by the research work done by Ambedkar on Hinduism and the facts that he has produced in his speech. Such a radical speech and at one point where this speech kindles Mahatma Gandhi to publish an response to Ambedkar's work and I was very keen to read Ambedkar's counter for it. I could not keep the book down without reading it.As mostly said, this book is not for Atheists / non-believers / followers of other religions. This book is an must read for those 'Proud, Sacred Hindus'. Mindblowing work.Now I understand why Ambedkar was allowed to play an vital role in framing our Indian Constitution.
review 2: It is an act of greatest foul and meanness that most Indians have been manipulated by Hindus into misunderstanding Dr Ambedkar and disregarding his b... moreooks. This book can do a lot more service to the national welfare than any other book ever will, for in this book Dr Ambedkar has put forth a mirror to the Society. Originally intended as a speech for Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal, it was never delivered because the organisers raised objections on some parts of it and therefore Ambedkar refused to compromise and got it published instead. This controversy and publication of the speech has made it possible to be read by multitude of Indians, while its deliverance wouldn't have held this longevity and survival value.A very well researched thesis on the adverse effects of caste system, it includes Hindus' justifications of it and their negation by Ambedkar, with possible solutions for the issue.He explains the futility of political and economic reform if the suppressed communities are not allowed with dignity in the mainstream society to make a contribution with their full unwavered potential. He explains how the Caste-system, as a division of labourers and by forcing the individuals to follow a profession contrary to their interests or capabilities, has done a considerable harm to economy. Consequences of in-breeding because of prohibition on inter-caste marriages and a lack of religious unity among Hindus because of prohibition on inter-caste dinners and rituals are explained. He states that there can exist no such thing as a Hindu religion or the Indian nation because of lack of collective consciousness among people, because of their allegiance to their own caste and caste-men irrespective of qualities; because of people's alienation and hatred towards other castes; we exist as an amorphous mass of people who have similar cultures because of living in proximity. But, because the channels of communication and free association among several sects don't exist, the amorphous mass of people have failed to evolve themselves into a single society which could be aware of its well-being.Several anti-social elements and tendencies have arisen soley due to caste-system, with intentions to preserve their own interests against those who try to take them. Because they are denied access into mainstream culture and political regime, they assort to rebellion to claim their rights which has been possessed by some other privileged castes. Unfortunately, Hindus have never made an effort to civilize those classes and make them live a respectable life. Why has this happened? Because a Hindu can not breach his caste by associating himself with interests and well-being of other castes, explains Dr Ambedkar.As we surge forward, he denounces the Arya Samajists' efforts to replace Caste-system based on birth with Varna-system based on worth, because of impracticeable division of humans into four sharp categories, its inherent nature to degenerate itself into thousands of castes like it had done earlier, its vulnerability to be breached by mischievious elements and difficulties in enforcement of the system.In final part, he proposes a solution to the problem by discarding the divine authority of caste-propagating Vedas, Shashtras and Smritis which allow no reasoning to be applied to them; and establishing one authoritative book of Hinduism; by abolishing monopoly of a caste over a specific profession including the Brahmin's priesthood; by creating a Religion based on unambiguous and unbiased principles of Equality, Fraternity and Justice which makes no distinction among its followers. To which Gandhi had raised the objection that, no one can call himself a Hindu if he abandons the Caste-system proposed by Shashtras.In his conclusion, which was the objectionable part to the organisers, Ambedkar states the practical difficulties encountered in the eradication of the problem. Which is related to the indifference and/or antipathy of the intellectual class(which was comprised mainly of Brahmins) to this reform movement. And he tells that because the complete refining seems impossible in near future, he had decided to move away from Hinduism and convert. Organisers had raised an objection on the basis that Hindus won't listen to suggestions of a non-Hindu about their religion. But they didn't consider the fact that if Hindus might listen to a "contemptible creature" such as a Shudra, they might as well listen to an ex-Hindu who was so appalled with their religion that he decided to abandon it. But that's that and it all happened for the good that speech got published.It is a book that should be read by critiques and defenders of Hinduism, for it provides many rational arguments about and against the dogma practiced in the Hinduism. Remarkable thing is that applications of these arguments can be extrapolated on global scale now and used against religious division of the world. less

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