'Defending' Amit Shah's Statement On Dr B R Ambedkar

By Sumit Paul, New Age Islam 21 December 2024 “Abhi Ek Fashion Ho Gaya Hai — Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar. Itna Naam Agar Bhagwan Ka Lete To Saat Janmon Tak Swarg Mil Jata (it has become a fashion to say Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar, Ambedkar’. If they had taken God’s name so many times, they would have got a place in heaven),” Mr Shah had said on Tuesday, taking a swipe at the Opposition." Dr B R Ambedkar ----- At the outset, I must make it clear that I'm no fan of Amit Shah. So, my brief piece is not an attempt to defend or exonerate him. The aforementioned statement is for you to decide dispassionately whether or not it's derogatory and casteist. There's indeed too much eulogy of Dr B R Ambedkar by his followers, Neo-Buddhists (Navyaans), Dalits and canny (or cunning?) politicians who encash the name of the principal maker of the Constitution of India. In the last 10-12 years, Ambedkar indeed has become a demi-god to his followers just like Shivaji has become Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and a demi-god to Marathas. In Maharashtra, esp. in Poona and Bombay, Dr Ambedkar is now a Vishwa Ratna. He indeed received Bharat Ratna but his followers are not satisfied with that! They've started calling him Vishwa Ratna. A few months ago, a politician called him Brahmaand Ratna (A Gem of the Universe). Now there are billboards in some parts of Poona and Maharashtra displaying his name with the most groveling prefix Vishva/Brahmaand Ratna. When and where will this unctuous hero-worship end? This servile attitude is indeed exasperating. Amit Shah took a swipe at this slavish admiration of Ambedkar. He's not wrong; at least not on this count. Now Ambedkar's persona has become much more important than Ambedkar as a person. When persona eclipses a person, slavery begins and deification becomes a reality. Instead of extolling Ambedkar's great qualities and ideals, his romanticised and somewhat unreal persona has emerged in recent times. This is sad. Now people take umbrage if Babasaheb is not used before his name. This writer has seen Babasaheb tattooed on people's hands and napes. This is cringeworthy. The indiscriminate use of honorifics in Maharashtra's socio-political scenario is a common phenomenon and an annoying trend. Savarkar is 'Veer' Savarkar, Bal Thackery is Balasaheb Thackery and Shivaji is a Maharaj. This must be stopped. Coming back to Ambedkar, try to emulate his lofty ideals, emphasis on egalitarianism and his relentless fight against injustice. Refrain from taking his name as if you're reciting and parroting a mantra in a state of trance. Don't relegate Ambedkar's name to a mere political metaphor by continuously harping on it. ---- A regular columnist for New Age Islam, Sumit Paul is a researcher in comparative religions, with special reference to Islam. He has contributed articles to the world's premier publications in several languages including Persian. URL: https://www.newageislam.com/current-affairs/defending-amit-shah-dr-ambedkar/d/134090 New Age Islam, Islam Online, Islamic Website, African Muslim News, Arab World News, South Asia News, Indian Muslim News, World Muslim News, Women in Islam, Islamic Feminism, Arab Women, Women In Arab, Islamophobia in America, Muslim Women in West, Islam Women and Feminism