Write short notes on Dr. Ambedkar’s State Socialism.
Answers
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891 – 1956) was a noted jurist, an exceptional constitutionalist, a profound scholar, a fearless leader of the masses, the hero of the downtrodden and the greatest pioneer of Buddhist revival in India. “His personality combines thought and action. His deeds were rooted in personal experience, so he appealed to the depressed classes to forge ahead on the basis of self-dependence, self-dignity and self-help (Shabbir 1997)1.” His foremost objective was to emancipate the depressed classes and to empower them to lead respectable lives. He passionately fought for the rights of the oppressed classes. It was his conviction and relentless hard work that transformed the depressed classes’ movement into a revolutionary movement. Moreover, he was a nationalist, a democrat and a patriot. Dr. Ambedkar was a pragmatist par excellence and wasn’t swayed by abstract ideologies.
Dr Ambedkar was influenced by Lord Buddha and his teachings. Buddhist outlook of life influenced Dr. Ambedkar to a great extent. Buddhist doctrines of Annicca (transitoriness) and Annatta (egolessness) made Dr. Ambedkar adopt a scientific and humanitarian outlook. He believed in the Buddhist teaching that man was the master of his own destiny. One could overcome suffering and pain by continuous action. Dr. Ambedkar penned down the book “Buddha and his Dhamma” highlighting the Buddhist ideology.