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Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the true leader, not merely of Dalits, but of all marginalized sections of all communities and society at large. In that sense, he was a complete Gramscian ‘Organic intellectual’, argued writer-thinker Prof K Phaniraj.

Delivering a special talk on Dr B R Ambedkar : Historical significance under the auspices of Gandhian Centre for Philosophical Arts and Sciences, MAHE, Prof Phaniraj observed it is wrong to represent Dr Ambedkar as merely the leader of the Dalits. He was quite concerned about the marginalized of all communities including women. He wanted democratic values to seep into every walk of life. He was more interested in social democracy than simply in political democracy. Democratic values need to be part of society, not merely of politics, he used to feel.

It is regrettable that Dr Ambedkar’s role in making of the constitution is being undermined in some quarters. This would be a great injustice to a man who defended the constitution, particularly its progressive elements for hours together against all odds and oppositions, Prof Phaniraj said.

Dr Ambedkar’s scholarly work on the genesis of the caste system is very unique. It is based on the theory of imitation in the sense that the so called upper caste formulated its caste and other castes immitted it, resulting in a rigid structure. Finally, caste system became like a ‘multi storeyed building with no lift and stairs’- with no internal movement, Prof Phaniraj said

Citing example such as Mahad Satyagraha, Prof Phaniraj said the process of ‘annihilation of caste’ and an honorable life for all marginalized-needs to be essentially a non-violent one for Dr Ambedkar. GCPAS Head Prof Varadesh Hiregange said Dr Ambedkar needs to be properly understood. The combination visions of Dr Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi could be a more complete world view.