Gandhi vs Ambedkar – A Comparison

Mahatma Gandhi, also known as the “Father of the Nation,” was a prominent leader in the Indian independence movement. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was a social reformer, jurist, and politician who fought against social discrimination in India.

Gandhi and Ambedkar both played important roles in India’s fight for independence and worked towards social justice, they had differing philosophies and approaches. Gandhi believed in non-violent resistance and civil disobedience, while Ambedkar advocated for a more aggressive approach to achieving social equality. Additionally, Gandhi focused on the liberation of India from British rule, while Ambedkar focused on the rights of Dalits and other marginalized groups within Indian society.

Roots of their differences lie in their contrasting early life.

Gandhi was born on October 2nd, 1869, into a rich family in Porbandar, Gujarat. He was educated in London and later went to South Africa, where he fought for the rights of Indians living there. On the other hand, Ambedkar was born on April 14th, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, and faced discrimination throughout his life due to his caste.

Consequently, despite agreeing that untouchability was the most significant problem in the social structure, they had contrasting strategies for eliminating it.

Gandhi viewed the oppressed classes as an essential component of society, and he named them “Harijans,” meaning “children of God.” He endeavored to assimilate them into the Indian National Congress and the struggle for independence. Ultimately, he intended to shift people’s attitudes as a means of resolving the issue. In contrast, Ambedkar proposed a “two-nation” theory, which identified the dominant nation as the upper castes and the subordinate nation as the lower castes. He maintained that implementing reforms could bring an end to the caste system. He thought that the upper castes were in charge, and the lower castes were not treated fairly. He suggested making changes to the system to end this discrimination.

This divergence was also seen in matters of religion.

Gandhi was a devoted Hindu who strongly adhered to Hindu beliefs, such as being tolerant and adaptable. He did not support getting rid of the caste system and the Varnashrama dharma because of this. Instead, he saw untouchability as a social and moral issue. On the other hand, Ambedkar had completely different views from Gandhi. He believed that Brahmanism and Hinduism were the same, and he even said he would not die as a Hindu, despite being born one. Eventually, he converted to Buddhism. He thought that the caste system resulted from political, economic, and ideological factors.

Additionally, Gandhi believed that taking action was necessary to achieve one’s goals. He promoted nonviolent forms of political protest, such as civil disobedience and non-cooperation. He thought that these tactics could be effective in bringing about change. In contrast, Ambedkar believed that the constitution could play a vital role in changing society by creating laws that would promote equality and fairness for all.

Gandhi urged people of all castes to come together and fight for the rights of the oppressed castes. He encouraged those in the higher castes to take responsibility for their past oppression by taking steps to help those in the lower castes. In contrast, Ambedkar believed that only members of the lower castes should protest for their cause, and no one from a higher caste should work for them. He emphasized values such as justice, equality, and dignity.

Further, Gandhi believed that it was the moral obligation of Hindus to allow lower castes to enter temples. Ambedkar also supported the entry of lower castes into temples, but his reasoning was different. He argued that lower castes were responsible for building and protecting temples, and therefore, it was their right to enter them.

Overall, Gandhi had a broader focus.

He envisioned a future India where everyone would be treated equally and believed that caste conflict was not an inherent feature of Indian society. In contrast, Ambedkar focused on empowering the oppressed castes and developing plans to improve their situation.

Gandhi believed that villages were the foundation of a country and advocated for their autonomy and self-sufficiency. He thought that village autonomy would help ensure that all voices were heard equally and ultimately lead to the establishment of a harmonious traditional village community called Ram Raj. In contrast, Ambedkar criticized Gandhi’s ideas, claiming that they were the philosophy of the well-to-do and leisure class. He argued that local administration could lead to narrow-mindedness and communalism in villages, and that autonomy could lead to bias and ultimately harm the freedom of others. He preferred a top-down model of administration with a strong central government.

Despite their differences, both leaders left a lasting impact on India and continue to be celebrated for their contributions to the country’s history and culture.

Gandhi led various non-violent movements against the British rule, such as the Salt March and the Quit India Movement. His philosophy of non-violence and civil disobedience inspired many leaders around the world and is still relevant today. Ambedkar was the chief architect of the Indian Constitution, which was adopted in 1950. Ambedkar was also a strong advocate for the rights of Dalits, or the “untouchables,” and worked towards their upliftment. His contribution to the Indian independence movement and the drafting of the Indian Constitution is widely recognized today.