डॉ. बी. आर. अम्बेडकर विश्वविद्यालय दिल्ली 
| Course Type | Course Code | No. Of Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Discipline Elective | SDS2DS224 | 2 |
Aim:
The course is broadly conceived to introduce Ambedkar’s ideas and their relevance in contemporary India, by reading and understanding some of his key texts. The central thrust of the course is to understand Ambedkar beyond caste and the impact of his ideas on the larger questions of constitutional democracy in general and nationalism in particular. In this proposed course Ambedkar’s concept of nation, state, democracy, law and constitutionalism are to be pedagogically read and interpreted. This will enable students to critically engage with the existing social concerns and its political implication. This will also facilitate them to strengthen their creative thinking with a collective approach to understand ongoing sociocultural and political functioning of the society.
Key Learning Objectives
- To enable students becoming more informed about the debates around the idea of nation and nationalism.
- To make the learning ability of students more tolerant and sensitive to the otherwise marginalized discourse around Ambedkar thoughts and philosophy.
- Students will be able to understand that the idea of nation, as abstract it is, is constituted through people who attribute a worthy meaning to nationalism, and it is not the latter that defines the former.
Learning Objectives
Upon completion of this course, it is hoped that a student will develop an in-depth understanding about the ideas and philosophy of Ambedkar. A student is thus expected to develop a critical insight in to the functioning of the social in the widest possible sense and how this complex and diverse social could function with a more reasoned and progressive politics of social justice.
Brief Descriptions of Main Modules:
- Introducing Ambedkar:
Approach to Study Polity, History, Economy, Religion and Society
- Nationalism & Democracy:
Democracy and Citizenship
- Constitutionalism:
Constitution as an Instrument of Social Transformation
- Introducing Ambedkar
In the popular imagination, Ambedkar is broadly confined to his ideas on the Hindu caste system and the role he played in drafting the Constitution of India. These ideas, besides its obvious significance, tend to overshadow other important thoughts of Ambedkar containing his rich social and political philosophy, vital to understand society of equals as he conceived. It is these thoughts and ideas that need more concerted attention and discussion among the scholars and this module will initiate the discussion structured with this very perspective of reading Ambedkar in order to understand his wider philosophy.
Readings:
Valerian Rodrigues, (2002) ‘Introduction’, The Essential Writings of B.R. Ambedkar’, OUP. pp. 1-43.
Eleanor Zelliot, (2016) Chap 1, and 2, Ambedkar’s World – The Making of Babasaheb and the Dalit Movement, Navayana. Pp. 21-103.
B. Ambedkar, (1993) ‘Waiting For a Visa’, in Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar Writings and Speeches, Vol.12, Education Deptt, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp. 661-691
Rohit De, (2018) ‘Lawyering as Politics: The Legal Practice of Dr Ambedkar, Bar at Law’, in Suraj Yengde & Anand Teltubde (Ed.) The Radical in Ambedkar – Critical Reflections. Penguin. Pg. 134 – 150.
- Nationalism & Democracy
The discourse around nationalism is the most contested one in India, and that continues to keep the social and political division very sharp, if not messy. Opposed to a linguistic, ethnic and religion driven nation, Ambedkar’s view and the ideological adhesive required to keep the ‘nation’ together is far removed from the hegemonic discourse on nationalism commonly accepted in India. Ambedkar’s idea of constructing a nation is then understood as nation evolving through democracy. This module will discuss the idea of nation, nationhood and nationalism through the idea of fraternity emphasized by Ambedkar. His philosophy to create such a fraternal society invariably is rooted in his understanding of a democratic self, shaping a democratic society, further amplified in his ideas on Buddhism and Bahujan politics.
Readings:
Ambedkar, (1989) ‘Evidence before South Borough committee on Franchise’, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches Vol.1, Education Deptt, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp. 243-278.
B. Ambedkar, (2003), ‘Role of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar in Bringing The Untouchables on the Political Horizon of India and Lying A Foundation of Indian Democracy’, in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches, Vol. 17-I, Education Deptt., Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp-63-178.
B. R. Ambedkar, (1990), Chap II, ‘A Nation calling for a Home’, in ‘Pakistan or The Partition Of India’, in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches Vol-8, Education Deptt., Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp-29 – 39; and Part V, pp-345-403.
B. Ambedkar, (2003) ‘Conditions Precedent for the successful working of Democracy’, in Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar Writings and Speeches, Vol. 17-III, Education Deptt, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp. 472-486.
B. Ambedkar, (2003) ‘Prospects of Democracy in India’, in Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar Writings and Speeches, Vol. 17-III, Education Deptt., Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp. 519-523.
- Constitutionalism
Building on the previous two modules, this module will initiate the discussion on the meanings and dimension of a constitutional democracy in Habermasian sense of communicative action of individuals seeped in to constitutional ethos. The module will discuss on key writings of Ambedkar in order to make sense of his idea on democratic world which becomes possible in his schema through a constitution which mirrors peoples’ lives and thus work towards strengthening through the discourse of rights and duties invoked through constitution.
Readings:
B. Ambedkar, (2003) ‘Dr. B R Ambedkar’s Presidential Address at the All India Depressed Classes Congress, Nagpur, August 8th, 1930’, in Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches Vol. 17-III, Education Deptt, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai, pp. 24-59.
Constituent Assembly Debates, Ambedkar’s speech on Draft Constitution on 4th November 1948, CAD Vol. VII, LokSabha Secretariat, Government of India, 3rd Print, pp. 31-41.
Hindu Code Bill Debates, in Dr. BabasahebAmbedkar Writings and Speeches Vol.14 Education Deptt, Government of Maharashtra, Mumbai.
Marc Galanter (1963), Law and Caste in Modern India, Asian Survey, November, Vol 3, No 11, pp 544-559.
Martha C. Nussbaum (2016), Ambedkar’s Constitution: Promoting Inclusion, Opposing Majority tyranny. In Tom Ginsbarg, and Aziz Huq (Ed.) Assessing Constitutional Performance. Cambridge University Press. Pp. 295-336.
Further Readings:
B. Ambedkar, (2013), States and Minorities, Delhi: Critical Quest.
C. Jangam, (2017). Dalits and the Making of Modern India.Oxford University Press.
G. Omvedt, Liberty Equality and Community: Dr. Ambedkar’s Vision of New Social Order, Available at http://www.ambedkar.org/research/LibertyEquality.htm, Accessed: 19.04.2013.
G. Omvedt, (2008) ‘Phule-Remembering The Kingdom of Bali’, Seeking Begumpura Navyana, pp. 159-184.
G. Aloysius, (2009). Ambedkar on Nation and Nationalism, Critical Quest, Delhi.
E. Zelliot, (1996) ‘From Untouchable to Dalit: Essays on the Ambedkar Movement’, in The Leadership of Babasaheb Ambedkar, Delhi: Manohar, pp. 53-78.
M. Gore, (1993) The Social Context of an Ideology: Ambedkar’s Political and Social Thought,
Delhi: Sage Publication, pp. 73-122 ; 196-225.
SurajYengde, Anand Teltumbde (2018), The Radical in Ambedkar – Critical Reflections. Penguin.
Rohit De (2018), A People’s Constitution – The Everyday Life of Law in the Indian Republic.
Billy Perrigo (2020), https://time.com/5770511/india-protests-br-ambedkar/
Methodology of Teaching and Learning:
Teaching and learning activities of this course will include: lectures; thematic discussions; film screenings/discussions; preparation of article/book reviews; and presentations.
Assessment Details with Weights: The Assessments of this Course will include:
- Mid-semester test (50 %)
- End-Semester Exam (50 %)