Gandhi and Ambedkar on Emancipation in Indian Society: Convergence and Differences

The caste system in India has been an integral part of social hierarchy over the centuries. Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) and Bhimrao Ambedkar (1891-1956) are among the prominent figures of modern India. They are cherished for their strength of character, integrity, honesty, frankness, fearlessness, willpower and sympathy especially for untouchables. Both leaders have a vision for the emancipation of the oppressed but their paths were different. The paper attempts to give an account of the huge contribution Gandhi and Ambedkar made for the emancipation of untouchability. The paper also analyzed the convergence and the differences in the ideology of two leaders towards emancipation of deprived ‘others’. The two towering personalities made a great contribution for the cause of scheduled castes that is in the constitution of India, the fundamental rights including equality before law that is applicable to all citizens of India, irrespective of caste and creed. Ambedkar symbolizes the radical intellectual, the revolutionary and the Messiah of marginalized class. Whereas Gandhi looks like liberal comprador spokesman of the Hindu upper caste mainstream of self-contradictory nature. Rather than negotiate his Dalit perception and self-respect, Ambedkar chosen to quit the Hindu religion. While as Gandhi had faith in that the Dalit’s emancipation was possible only if they continued in Hindu fold.