Friday, 31 July 2015

Review: Annihilation of Caste: The Annotated Critical Edition

Annihilation of Caste: The Annotated Critical Edition Annihilation of Caste: The Annotated Critical Edition by B.R. Ambedkar
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Beyond doubt this is the best literature on caste structure. The book was published on undelivered speech by one of the best authority on caste related issues. And critical annotation by the great Arundhti roy.
Arundhti roy's half of the criticism of Mahatma Gandhi are irrelevant to this book or topic. But other half are fully convincing that Mahatma Gandhi was wrong in matters related to caste or biased while thinking caste and varna are different-different things. The Gandhi is here saint and Ambedker is doctor. The sainthood of gandhi made him biased for his religion. The annotation by arundhti roy is not his best work. She had done remarkable job before this in the field of social activism and democracy. But her so many of the argument are quite good. She is somewhat biased in this book for Doctor but not in whole. The best thing about her writing is footnote and research she do before writing even an simple article. This is best feature of her annotation here.
Now the doctor who had done remarkable job while analyzing 'what is caste' and 'how it practical works in society' and ' how we eliminate it from our society'. His attack on Hindu literature is I suppose valid. According to him Hindu scared law are just deterrent laws. This ancient codes are not related to any religion but laws to manage a government of the particular are but in forced to deter people from breaking the laws.
His attack on Brahmanism is the most important part of the book. He criticize Brahmanism in most structural way. According him the most responsible things for this caste system are Brahmanism, ancient code and specially manu - smriti. His criticism of Gandhi is not just right but far-far better than him.The view of Gandhi on caste are same worst as Ambedker's on tribal people. According to The Doctor thet are naked and uncivilized people. The best thing of Roy is, she always give some hint that is guy is not wholly correct in every think. And that applies to the greatest Indians The saint and the doctor.
Other than this you will find most interesting research and example the doctor produced for his argument. He used scientific,humanistic as well as moralistic principle to describe what is wrong with this caste ancient caste system. And wht we should change it. I will read this book again and again to analyze its material. But every one who is reading this review should read this book to understand its vastness to the society. Ultimately what important is Society. The best quote of the book is:
The caste is not merely a division of labor.It is also a division of laborers.

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