Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956), Babasaheb to his admirers, is one of India’s most radical thinkers. He transformed the social and political landscape in the struggle against British colonialism. He was a prolific writer who oversaw the drafting of the Indian Constitution and served as India’s first Law Minister.
<p>Hinduism claims one billion adherents worldwide. To who hold this religion dear, B.R. Ambedkar poses these riddles: Is it even a religion? Who is a Hindu? Riddles in Hinduism remained unpublished in his lifetime. When the Maharashtra government finally printed it in 1987, the Shiv Sena sought a ban. While the liberals looked away, the Dalit movement circulated copies. At a time when the Hindu right is claiming Ambedkar as their own, this fierce critique— with illuminating annotations—shows us how and why Ambedkar had no love for Hinduism. In his introduction, Kancha Ilaiah Shepherd tells us why Hinduism’s biggest challenge comes from Dalit- Bahujans.</p><div><br></div>
