The article first appeared in The Indian Express on Apr 14, 2025.
What a remarkable reversal of fortune history has delivered. B R Ambedkar — once denounced by orthodox caste Hindus and dismissed by Congress and the Left as a sectarian figure — has emerged as one of the most invoked and revered personalities in Indian public life. His stature has grown so immense that even the tone and context in which his name is uttered in Parliament can provoke a political storm. This shift can be attributed to the politicisation and consolidation of Dalit identity around Ambedkar’s legacy — a reality that dominant caste-led political parties, for reasons of electoral expediency, dare not challenge in public discourse.
The enduring iconisation of Babasaheb by Dalits — despite relentless hostility and acts of desecration directed at his statues — has drawn both incredulity and resentment from sections of India’s elite. Sadly, the public discourse around Ambedkar continues to be constrained by two dominant frameworks — either his legacy is reduced to a tool of instrumentalist electoral politics, or Dalits are subject to moral scrutiny for their passionate reverence. Both approaches obscure the full breadth of his legacy, which encompasses his spirit, actions, and writings. Ambedkar provides us with an ethical and political compass to navigate the complex crises of our time…
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