The Radical in Ambedkar
 | |
| Editor | Suraj Yengde Anand Teltumbde |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Subject | B. R. Ambedkar, Dalit movement, social justice |
| Genre | Non-fiction, edited volume |
| Published | 10 December 2018 |
| Publisher | Penguin Random House India |
| Publication place | India |
| Media type | Print (hardcover) |
| Pages | 520 |
| ISBN | 978-0-670-09041-9 |
The Radical in Ambedkar: Critical Reflections is a 2018 non-fiction book edited by Suraj Yengde and Anand Teltumbde, published by Penguin Random House India.[1][2] It is a collection of essays examining B. R. Ambedkar’s radical philosophy and contributions to the Dalit movement and social justice in India.[2] The book analyzes Ambedkar’s critique of caste oppression through his 1936 work Annihilation of Caste and connects his ideas to global resistance movements.[3][1]
Summary
[edit]The book is a collection of essays exploring B. R. Ambedkar’s contributions to India’s social justice movements.[2] It focuses on his critique of caste oppression in his 1936 text Annihilation of Caste, analyzing three key moments in its development.[3] The essays highlight Ambedkar’s roles as a philosopher, activist, and jurist, and his work as the architect of the Indian Constitution.[2][4] It draws parallels between Ambedkar’s anti-caste activism and global movements, such as the African-American struggle for racial equality, and critiques privileged perspectives in Ambedkar scholarship that may not fully reflect Dalit experiences.[1]
Development and release
[edit]The Radical in Ambedkar: Critical Reflections was edited by Suraj Yengde, a Dalit scholar, and Anand Teltumbde, a civil rights activist and academic.[1] Published by Penguin Random House India in 2018, the book aims to reframe Ambedkar’s legacy by connecting his ideas to global resistance movements.[2][1]
Critical reception
[edit]The book was praised for its scholarly analysis. Yogesh Maitreya, in Firstpost, commended its effort to place Ambedkar’s work in the context of global resistance movements, such as the African-American struggle, but noted that some essays are limited by privileged perspectives that may not fully capture Dalit experiences.[1] Financial Express highlighted the book’s analysis of Ambedkar’s diverse roles as a philosopher, activist, and jurist.[2] Deccan Chronicle emphasized Ambedkar’s role as a powerful advocate for equality, noting the book’s focus on his contributions to India’s Constitution.[4] Chinnaiah Jangam, in Economic and Political Weekly, praised the book for portraying Ambedkar as a philosopher who reshaped India’s social discourse.[5] A York University publication appreciated the book’s focus on three key moments in Annihilation of Caste, though it suggested a need for more Dalit-centered perspectives.[3]
References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f Maitreya, Yogesh (20 December 2018). "The Radical in Ambedkar studies Babasaheb in context of global resistance but is limited by privileged perspectives". Firstpost. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ a b c d e f "Book Review: The Radical in Ambedkar, Critical Reflections; Analysis of many divergent personas of Ambedkar". Financial Express. 17 February 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ a b c "The Radical in Ambedkar: Critical Reflections: Three Moments in the Annihilation of Caste". York University. Department of Sociology. 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ a b "Ambedkar most powerful advocate of equality". Deccan Chronicle. 3 January 2019. Retrieved 21 May 2025.
- ^ Jangam, Chinnaiah (11 December 2021). "Ambedkar as Philosopher". Economic and Political Weekly. 56 (50). Retrieved 21 May 2025.