Three Critical Moments in Ambedkar (original) (raw)

This talk (at Lamakaan, Hyderabad) for Ambedkar Jayanti on 14th April 2020, discusses three critical moments in Ambedkar’s journey, and Ambedkarite thought, as three critical stages that exscribe an anti-caste event, which is a “becoming-other-than-itself” (Nancy 1994). These particular moments – that recognize, abolish and persuade – are three speech-acts by Ambedkar at three different places during the years 1916 to 1956; each delivered in three different countries, separated by twenty years. I propose to analyse, firstly, a seminar presentation at Columbia University, New York, North America, in May 1916 which tried to “expose” the human institution of caste for the first time as a moment that educates. Secondly, a speech in May 1936 – which apparently seconded the undelivered “Annihilation” speech – that insisted the Mahar conference to “convert” in Bombay, India, as a moment that agitates. And lastly, the “last” speech on Buddhism as “critique” in the 4th conference of the World Fellowship of Buddhists in November 1956 at Kathmandu, Nepal, as a moment that organizes. This talk, thus, interprets these three moments in consequence as signatory events, and would wish to demonstrate how anti-caste events not only expose inscriptions of caste but also creatively stage acts of exscription against caste.