AMBEDKAR IS ONE AMONG THE WORLDS GREAT LEADERS A RADICAL IN THE ANNIHILATION OF CASTE!- PERIYAR’S VIEW
The following are some key ideas from the speech delivered by Thanthai Periyar E.V.Ramasamy on 28.10.1956 at the Vellore Municipal Council, when he unveiled the portrait of Babasheb Dr. B.R.Ambedkar and praised him:
Ambedkar belonged to the assembly of great scholars of the world. What made him such a great intellectual? Education and talent are only secondary. There are many who are more educated and talented than him. Therefore, the reason Ambedkar stands as a great intellectual is not merely his education or talent, but because his knowledge and abilities were useful to the people. Others use their learning and abilities in different ways.
Ambedkar was an atheist—not just recently, but for a long time. Let me say this: those who are great intellectuals in the world are atheists. Only those who are atheists can reach the heights of inquiry and let knowledge shine. They are the ones who truly use their learning and abilities.
Dr. Ambedkar was a great scholar. That is precisely why he was a great atheist. He used his own intellect and boldly expressed what he discovered. In our country, so-called scholars are often afraid to speak out. But he was not like that—he spoke courageously. A remarkable event that the whole world now reflects upon is Ambedkar embracing Buddhism. Even now, though it is said he has newly converted, in truth he had long been a Buddhist at heart.
For 20–30 years before that, Ambedkar had not accepted Hinduism. While speaking about Mahatma Gandhi, he criticized him harshly, saying: “Gandhi is an orthodox Hindu, one who wants to preserve Manusmriti and the Varna system. What can he do for the oppressed (Adi- Dravidar) people?” He cited scriptural sources and argued that Gandhi’s thinking was shaped by his orthodox Hindu beliefs.
As early as 1930–35, Ambedkar held radical views on the annihilation of caste. In Punjab
After converting, Ambedkar issued a declaration: “I will no longer accept Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Indra as gods. I do not believe in avatars. I reject idol worship. I do not believe in caste, moksha, or hell. I do not believe in rituals such as death ceremonies. I will not follow any of these henceforth.” What we criticize today, we must also refuse to believe.
an organization called “Jat-Pat Todak Mandal” was formed for this purpose. I was even enrolled as a member. They organized a conference on caste abolition and invited Ambedkar to preside. He agreed and prepared a 100-page English address. In it, he provided many references and argued that to abolish caste, Hinduism itself must be abolished.
When the organizers reviewed his speech in advance, they objected, saying: “This is a caste abolition conference, not a conference to abolish Hinduism. Please remove that chapter.” Ambedkar refused, saying: “The foundation of caste lies in Hinduism—what else can I speak about if not that?” Even when others tried to persuade him, he stood firm: “I will deliver my speech as written. You may oppose it in the conference if you wish.” Eventually, the conference itself was canceled.
I later obtained that speech from him, translated it into Tamil, and published it as “The Way to Abolish Caste.” Even at that time, he was so radical. While we were merely speaking about the Ramayana, as early as 1932 he publicly burned it.
On another occasion in Madras, while speaking about the Bhagavad Gita, he said: “The Gita is the rambling of a madman.” This caused outrage among figures like C.P.
Ramaswami Iyer, who protested that it was improper for someone in his position to speak so.
In 1930, I invited Ambedkar to a reform conference in Erode. Though he could not attend, others came in his place. It would have been better if he had come.
At one point, Ambedkar even considered converting to Islam. I and others sent him a telegram urging him not to rush, advising that unless large numbers followed him, he might not find respect there either. Later, many also appealed to him not to convert. Even then, he had a strong inclination to leave Hinduism. Ultimately, he embraced Buddhism.
When I met him in Burma at a World Buddhist Conference (1954), he even suggested that we should formally convert immediately and start a university to propagate Buddhist ideals. He spoke passionately about creating something meaningful before death.
After converting, Ambedkar issued a declaration:
“I will no longer accept Rama, Krishna, Shiva, Indra as gods. I do not believe in avatars. I reject idol worship. I do not believe in caste, moksha, or hell. I do not believe in rituals such as death ceremonies. I will not follow any of these henceforth.”
What we criticize today, we must also refuse to believe.
Ambedkar was a guide to the people. He courageously spoke out against caste and religious injustices. He worked selflessly and gained recognition across India. He guided his people toward Buddhism. Similar changes may happen here as well. He worked hard to secure education, employment, and opportunities for his community, even ensuring 15% representation in jobs.
He was truly a great leader. After him, it is unlikely that another such leader will emerge. He was a leader prepared ahead of an age of equality. Therefore, I praise the Vellore Municipal Council for honoring him with a lasting memorial.
Courtesy: ‘Viduthalai’ – 7th December 1956
