Ambedkar and Gandhi

Author(s): P. P. Lakshman
Source: Economic and Political Weekly, Vol. 31, No. 51 (Dec. 21, 1996), p. 3274
Published by: Economic and Political Weekly
Stable URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/4404890
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LETTERS TO EDITOR
India-Pakistan People's The Forumis now organisinga largerand Ambedkarby Hindu racism which he saw
longerConventionin Calcuttaon December as divinely sanctioned. Their further
Convention 28-31,1996, whichis expectedtobe attended development evolved on the basis of their
by up to 250 delegates from each country. emotionalmake-upandintellectualacumen.
TWO-AND-A-HALFyears ago some of us We expect thatthe forthcomingConvention Gandhiwieldedgreatemotionalpower,while
in India and Pakistan found ourselves in will generatefurthersupportforthe Forum's Ambedkardisplayedintellectualstrengthfor
agreementthatnearlyfive decadesof strained objectives, and hopefully influence the which Gandhi was no match.
relationsbetweenourtwo countrieshadonly policies of the two governments towards To cite an old example, Gandhicould not
served to inflict severe damage to both our peace and democracy. meet the case for 'Annihilationof Castes'
peoples.Economicas well as socialindicators Arranging the proposed Convention is (1936) so convincinglyarguedby Ambedkar,
providedtelling evidence thatwe had fallen going to cost a great deal of money. The and was not able to give anythingmore than
farbehindsome othercountrieswhich were Forumis a wholly non-governmentalbody, a feeble, evasive reply. No worthyreply has
no betterplacedthanourselvesto begin with. andis fundedentirelyby contributionsfrom come from any of the so-called Gandhian
Since our respective ruling elites seemed its membersand sympathisers.Its accounts intellectuals since then to this day.
unwillingto move out of set moulds, we felt are regularly maintained and audited. We IntellectualAmbedkarwould not let him
that the only available course was for the need your supportand help. Please donate accept everything in Buddhism that he
people to assert themselves in favour of as generously as you feel moved to, having embraced.He came up with his own version
peace and friendship. regardto the cause you will therebyfurther. 'Buddha and his Dhamma' (1957). It was
The first step that we took was a meeting Donationsmay be madeby cheques or bank denounced by purists in Buddhism,
in Lahore in September 1994 where the drafts drawn in favour of 'The Peace and particularlytheTheravadaBuddhists.Gandhi
People's Forumwas formally set up. It was Democracy Trust', K-14 (FF), Green Park did not live up to Ambedkar'sBuddhism.
agreedtherethatthe political issues thathad Extension, New Delhi-I 10016. Rajaji, a close follower of Gandhi, was so
bedevilled relations between the two coun- NirmalMukharji,ManoranjanMohanty, unforgivinganduncivil even at Ambedkar's
triesshouldreceive primeattention.Further, KamalaPrasad,SumantaBanerjee,Syeda demiseas to remarkthatAmbedkar's conver-
it was felt thatthe voices of the people would SaiyidainHameed,NirmalaDeshpande, sion to Buddhism was more anti-Hinduism
carry to the decision-makers only if there RitaManchanda,DineshMohan,Gautam thananacceptanceof thedoctrineof compas-
was responsivedemocracyin both countries. Navlakha, V K Khurana,Tapan Bose, sion andrectitudethatBuddhismwas.Palshi-
Consequently,peace anddemocracybecame Dunu Roy, Sumit Chakravartty kar has studied Ambedkar'sBuddhismand
interlinked in our objectives. Pakistan-IndiaPeople's Forum for hasmadesome pertinentpoints.Forinstance,
Two large conventions have by now been Peace and Democracy he says: "... he [Ambedkar] tended to take
held, one in Delhi in February1995 and the the view that concentrationof wealth and
other in Lahore the following November. Ambedkar and Gandhi exploitation gave rise to 'dukkha'. His
The 400 or so participantsin these from the conception of dhammamakes it clear that
twocountriescameto unanimousconclusions SUHAS PALSHIKAR's paper 'Gandhi- Ambedkar made a distinction between
on many contentious issues. For instance: AmbedkarInterface'(August 3) is scholarly materialwell-being and insatiable lust". It
(1) There should be no resort to war. Force and provoking.An arrayof equally forceful is hearteningthat Ambedkaris getting the
levels should be reduced on both sides by argumentscould be presentedto ruleout the attentionhe deservesfromacademiccircles.
25 per cent over threeyears, simultaneously question in the subtitle of his paper 'when Palshikar's paperwas presentedat a semi-
curtailing military spending. Both sides shall the twain meet?' nar 'Gandhi's Relevance to Contemporary
should step back from the nuclear brink. Gandhi and Ambedkarshould be seen in TheoryandPolitics'at theUniversityof Pune
(2) Kashmiris not merelya territorialdispute the first instance as the productsof wholly last October.It would be interestingto know
betweenIndiaandPakistan,butconcernsthe differentcircumstances.Apartfromdifferent thecommentsoftheparticipants attheseminar.
lives andaspirationsof the people of Jammu family and social upbringing,Gandhi was P P LAKSHMAN
and Kashmiron both sides of the Line of mauled by White racism in South Africa, New York
Control. What is required is a peaceful
democratic solution which involves the
aforesaid people. Subscription Rates
Inland
(3) Bothcountriesmustreducetheoppressive
(including Nepal and Bhutan)
role of the police and the militaryin dealing (in rupees)
with democraticmovements,andprotectthe Six months One year Two years Three years
common citizens. Institutions - 600 1125 1650
(4) Trade relations must be formally Individuals 250 475 875 1275
recognised and enhanced. Concessional Rates
(5) Both governments must lift visa Teachers/Researchers - 325 - 900
restrictionsso thatcitizensof thetwocountries Students - 225 -

Concessional rates are available only in India.To avail of concessional rates, certificate from
can travel freely. relevant institution is essential.
We are well aware that this is only a Remittanceby money order/bankdraft/postalorderrequested.Please add Rs 14 to outstation
beginning. Although the two conventions cheques towards bank collection charges.
have helped to spreadthe message of peace Foreign (in US $)
and democracyin both countries. Regional Air Mail Surface Mail
groupson both sides havebeen busyorganis- Institutions Individuals Institutions Individuals
ing local meetings and have received highly Pakistan, Bangladesh & Sri Lanka 80 50 65 30
encouragingresponses.The Indiachapterof USA, Canada, UK, Europe,
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3274 Economic and Political Weekly December 21, 1996