Round Table India This is a part of an online conversation between Kuffir and Anu Ramdas (Editors of Round Table India – who have worked for over a decade and half creating digital platforms for Bahujan writings, discussions and conversations). Kuffir is based in India, Anu Ramdas is based in the USA. Kuffir: What divides …
Tavleen Singh’s and The Indian Express’ Casteist Narratives
Vaibhav Kharat In her persistent engagement with caste, reservation, census related topics, Tavleen Singh exemplifies a pseudo-intellectual approach that perpetuates casteist biases located in the strong foundation of savarna prejudices, stereotypes and stigmatisation. Her recent writings on caste include the column ‘Time to end the reservation’, and ‘A caste census is casteism’ in the ‘The …
Dr. Ambedkar and the Trilemma of Values
Sridhar Suroshe A Rational Reformer Dr. Ambedkar was the heir of enlightenment. And therefore, he was the Voltaire of India. He accepted the fundamental values of enlightenment. These values are rational knowledge and rational ethics. In the teachings of enlightenment, there was an important place for the program of social transformation based on these rational …
Interest in Dr. B.R. Ambedkar among academics outside India
The Popularity or (Un)Popularity of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar among academics outside India Ablaz Mohammed Schemnad Reading Ambedkar and practising Ambedkarism as a student in India gave me a feeling of strength and confidence among peers in university spaces. The ‘Jai Bhim’ slogans and posters asserting the oppressed unity, winning elections, and representing the whole student …
Dr. Ambedkar – The Iconoclast
Dr. Bhushan Amol Darkase It had taken aeons for darkness to disappear When the sun of hope rose on the horizon of humanity; One man against 33 Million Inside the sanctum sanctorum, Every atom in the clay idol trembled The stones of the holy religion shook. Armed with the weapon of knowledge, The Iconoclast Blew …
Evaluating India’s Social Democratic Progress: An Analysis through Ambedkar’s Vision
Prashant Kumbhar Dr. B. R. Ambedkar placed significant emphasis on ‘social democracy’ within his philosophical framework. Throughout the freedom struggle, the social movement unfolded alongside the national movement. The marginalized and oppressed classes actively engaged in the social movement, aspiring to establish an ideal social order distinct from the elite-dominated national movement. This social movement …
The Sudra Zombie and the Brahmin Vampire
Umar Nizar The allegation that was levelled against Socrates was that of corrupting the young. Similarly present day philosophers such as Zizek and Badiou has a huge following among the youth. But there are controversially radical figures like Jordan Peterson who dehumanises victims of violence, who also attract the minds of the young in large …
Science and Human Understanding
Mithilesh Kumar Prasad Have you ever wondered about religious stories and mythologies while reading or listening to them? You will notice that the animals used by the gods and goddesses are likely to be found in modern times as well. According to the National Geographic article ‘Age of Earth,’ the earth is probably 4.6 billion …
Bhimsongs: The Ambedkarite Popular Culture
Vaibhav Kharat A song composed or sung on Babasaheb Ambedkar is called Bhimgeet in Marathi and Bhimsongs in English. Bhimgeet, or Bhimsongs, are also known as Jaibhim geet/songs or Ambedkar geet/songs. Ambedkar’s work, his thoughts, his political and social philosophy, and his lived experiences are presented through these songs. Today, thousands of Bhimsongs are available …