The claims made by Arun Anand in his article Why RSS considers Ambedkar as one of its own icons in ThePrint are not correct, historically and factually. I was the editor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches — a multi-volume project published by the government of Maharashtra. And so, I want to bring some documentary evidence and facts to refute Anand’s claims.
The RSS was clearly circulating false articles and videos on the occasion of B.R. Ambedkar’s 129th birth anniversary. Arun Anand, CEO of Indraprastha Vishwa Samvad Kendra, an RSS affiliate, makes three claims in his video and article:
Claim 1
Ambedkar was ‘impressed’ by the RSS.
Fact: On 14 May 1951, Ambedkar had made very scathing remarks regarding the RSS, which are available in the records of Parliament. He said: “May I mention the R.S.S. and Akali Dal? Some of them are very dangerous associations.”
(Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Vol. 15, edited by Vasant Moon, Govt. of Maharashtra, Mumbai, 1997, pp. 560), (Parliamentary Debates, Vol. 11, Part Two, 14 May 1951, pp. 8,687-90).
This remark of Ambedkar, made in Parliament, irrefragably proves that he was very acerbic about the ideology of the RSS. So, Anand’s claims are not just surprising, but demonstrates the shrewd politics of the RSS.
Also read: Why RSS considers Ambedkar as one of its own icons
Claim 2
Ambedkar’s Scheduled Caste Federation and Bharatiya Jana Sangh formed a ‘pre-poll alliance’ in 1952 Madhya Pradesh election.
Fact: This is what Ambedkar said before the 1952 elections in the Scheduled Caste Federation’s manifesto: “As regards other Political Parties, the Scheduled Caste Federation’s attitude can be easily defined. The Scheduled Caste Federation will not have any alliance with any reactionary Party such as Hindu Mahasabha or the RSS.”
(Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Vol. 17, Part One, edited by Prof Hari Narke, Govt of Maharashtra, Mumbai, 2003, pp. 402).
Dr. Ambedkar’s statement shows he strongly opposed the RSS and the Hindu Mahasabha. Still, Anand, with utmost confidence, quotes Dattopant Thengadi to say that Ambedkar had a pre-poll alliance with the RSS in Madhya Pradesh elections.
Also read: Why Gandhi and Ambedkar never engaged with Hedgewar, the founder of RSS
Claim 3
Dattopant Thengadi was appointed as secretary of Scheduled Caste Federation when Ambedkar was chairman.
Fact: Only a Scheduled Caste person could be appointed as a member of the Federation, this was the rule. And Dattopant Thengadi was not an SC. So, how come Ambedkar allowed Thengadi to be appointed as the secretary of the party?
Arun Anand is playing a heinous game to stigmatise Ambedkar. This is the usual dirty politics of the RSS. I strongly condemn Arun Anand’s defamation of Ambedkar.
The author is the Editor of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Vol. 17 to 22, published by the Government of Maharashtra. Views are personal.
RSS proves its filthy as 💩💩💩 again and again ! Shame
Arun Anand is wrong. Dr.Ambedkar even condemns V.D Savarkar’s writings as arrogant and nonsense. Dr.Ambedkar says “Hindu Raj is menace to India, it should not become true. And should try to prevent it at any cost” (Pakistan or Partition of India by Ambedkar. The truth is so how can one claim that Ambedkar was in touch with RSS! It is nothing but misguiding mass and a futile attempt to appropriate Ambedkar.
It is a political motive, they want the SC community to support BJP. So the RSS is spreading such useless remarks.
Diverting g the people from Adv Prakash Ambedkarji.
RSS has hijacked V D Savarkar. Savarkar said that cow is just animal should be eaten. When he (Savarkar) dies, don’t pay him funeral or religious rituals like agni. But, to burn him in electric cremation .
Now they want to hijack Dr. Ambedkar.
Dr B R Ambedkar had no yrack with the RSS..
Continued folly , only to fool as ever gullible dalits with sole purpose to garner votes.
now : truth needs no evidence
Dr. Baba Sahib Ambedkar very strongly criticised Hindu Granths and was in favour to burn them. How could he have soft corner for RSS or any Hindu organisation?
RSS propagates regular false agenda to link their terrorist organization with Babasaheb
Your source are your writing only….can we have some substantial source.
He is quoting Ambedkar. He was only the editor of the books mentioned, Ambedkar was the one who wrote and spoke.
Thanks for exposing this Arun crook who obviously has some fascist agenda.
who cares? RSS is bound to be here, this is reality. Also your points are contradictory
None of the clarifications refute the claims of the article, the author intends to refute. All the statements may be true, but based on that no conclusive proof can be drawn about their future action.
We have the living examples of Pashwan Nithis Kumar, Maayaavati and others.