The Ambedkarite Press

What Is The Ambedkarite Press?

• Adjective “Ambedkarite” comes from word “Ambedkar”

• Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956),

popularly also known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, political

leader, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, orator, economist,

teacher, and editor.

• He was also the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Indian

Constitution.

• Born into a poor Mahar (considered an Untouchable caste)

family, Ambedkar campaigned against social discrimination

and the caste system

• He converted to Buddhism and is also credited with providing

a spark for the transformation of hundreds of thousands of

Dalits or untouchables to Buddhism.

• His mantra was ‘educate, agitate and organize’

• There has been a good deal of progress among Dalits in

education, although it still lags behind that of others. 

• With the spread of education, Dalits began expressing

themselves and created their own literature, ‘Dalit Literature’.

• Dalit Literature today has challenged & questioned the

literature written from an “Upper Caste Point of View” & has

gained recognition & respectability

• Besides literature, there are groups which work for cultural

awakening of Dalits through the medium of songs, music,

street plays and dramas

• Several newspapers & magazines from the “Dalit” point of

view are published

• Dr Ambedkar himself was a voracious reader & a prolific

writer, authoring several books and publishing various

publications

• There are numerous e-mail groups, blogs and social networks

like facebook, twitter, and so on with which Dalit youths have

formed their virtual networks which are also reflect deep

concern for the community issues.

• There is also talk of having TV Channels & Radio Stations

dedicated to Ambedkarite thought.

• So, in short, The Ambedkarite Press refers to

the media or press (print, broadcast & new

media) that identify and propagate ideas from

the “Ambedkarite” point of view.

Compiled by Saurabh Deshpande

follow on twitter: saurabhd3108

References: • http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ambedkar

• http://www.countercurrents.org/teltumbde220411.htm

• http://jangamashwin.wordpress.com/