Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's conversion: When and how did this historic journey begin? Know the inspiring events and ideology behind his decision.
‘A Part Apart the Life and Thought of B.R. Ambedkar’ gives information about when Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s direct inclination towards conversion began. It reveals many interesting facts about the role of his conversion. By combining facts from many such works, the book ‘Dharma Conversion: Ambedkar Ki Dhamma Yatra’ compiled by Dr. Ratan Lal, published by Rajkamal Prakashan, brings many untold stories to the reader.
In the middle of 1935, a rumour spread that Baba Saheb Dr. Ambedkar was retiring from public life. Whatever thoughts Ambedkar had about retiring from public life, they were soon negated by an important decision. In August 1935, he wrote to Henry Knight, the Home Secretary of Bombay Province, that he would formally end the Kalaram Mandir Satyagraha by announcing his renunciation of Hinduism.
2 months later, Knight reminded Ambedkar of the letter. Then in a letter written on 11 October 1935, Ambedkar told Knight that he had not forgotten it. Meanwhile, preparations were underway for the historic mass meeting of followers at Yeola.
Letters written by Ambedkar to Bhaurao Gaekwad show that plans to hold the Yeola conference were underway since 1932. Finally, the historic day arrived on 13 October 1935 when Ambedkar made his historic announcement at Yeola. While describing in detail the unbearable suffering of the untouchable society, Ambedkar announced his decision to renounce Hinduism in these words: “Unfortunately, I was born with the stigma of being an untouchable Hindu. Although this was not in my control. But it is in my power to shake off this inferior status and improve the situation, and no one should have any doubt about this that I will do it. Today I am clearly telling you that I will not die calling myself a Hindu. Which religion the untouchables will adopt after renouncing Hinduism will depend entirely on their own will. They will only have to ensure that they accept only that religion in which they have the right to equality.” Ambedkar’s announcement of conversion led to an explosive reaction among various forums, organizations and individuals. There was also a detailed discussion in the media. Newspapers like The People, Indian Witness, Janmabhoomi, Prajamitra, Jam-e-Jamshed, Navakal, The Congress Socialist, Sanghshakti, Satyashodhak Ratnagiri, Loksatta, Kesari, Subodh Patrika criticized the conversion in their own way.
On the other hand, articles were written in support of conversion in newspapers like Lokmanya, Gyanprakash, Vihar, Sevak, Rashtraveer, Deen Mitra, Vividh Vrit. The magazine ‘Nirbhid’ edited by Anant Hari Gadre, a Brahmin playwright with reformist ideas, also supported Ambedkar.
When the announcement of conversion spread all over the world, then the big representatives of Christianity, Islam and Sikhism started coming to meet Ambedkar and tried to include him in their respective religions.
Arya Samaj leader Pandit Shrutbandhu Shastri was ready to give his daughter for Ambedkar’s son, but he never brought his daughter to Rajgriha to show her.
Sardar Dilip Singh Thobia, Vice President of Golden Temple, Amritsar, sent a telegram to Baba Saheb from Amritsar requesting him that Sikhism believes in monotheism based on equality, so he should accept this religion.
Dharmanand Kosambi went to his residence Rajgriha and met him. There was a deep discussion between the two on Buddhism. Dharmanand Kosambi felt that Ambedkar was not yet bound to any religion, but he was inclined towards Buddhism.
Aga Khan also told his followers in one of his meetings that untouchables want to leave Hinduism and accept another religion. Therefore, it is our duty to bring them to our religion and develop them all-round. The youth of our sect should work for this task. By doing this, they will be called servants of Islam. But the followers of Aga Khan did not make any such effort. According to chapter 6 of ‘Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar: Life and Thoughts’, published by Samyak Prakashan in 2017 by Khairmode, the general secretary of the Mahabodhi Society, Banaras, sent a telegram to Ambedkar requesting him, “If you have decided to convert, please accept Buddhism. There are Buddhists all over the Asian continent, there is no caste discrimination among them and if you adopt this religion, our Dhamma preachers will be sent to help you.”
Khalid Gauba, who was earlier a Hindu Arya Samaji, sent a telegram to Ambedkar requesting him to accept Islam. He wrote, “In this religion, you and your community will be given full rights.”
On the other hand, the Sanatani Hindus of Nashik were happy with Ambedkar’s announcement because now the untouchables would not create obstacles in their Rath Yatra, due to which the Rath Yatra ceremony would be completed without any hindrance. On the other hand, some Hindu leaders passed the proposal of Paanv Poojan, Janeu Pehnaao program and inter-caste marriage and community meals to please the untouchables. But Ambedkar did not show any interest in these programs.
Caste system exists in all religions in India. Ambedkar had a clear ideology that by becoming a Muslim, we are not going to become Nawab in a day or two, even after accepting Sikhism, we are not going to become Sardar immediately, and by becoming a Christian, we will not become a sinner. That is, no matter which religion we adopt, we will have to struggle for our self-respect and bright future. Ambedkar was determined, he said:
“Now even if Hindus make their God stand with me, I will not remain in Hinduism. Whether the touchable Hindus do anything for the untouchables or not, one thing is certain that now I will renounce Hinduism.”
Courtesy : Rajan Chaudhary, Hindi News