2 Mounting the Podium
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Shashi Tharoor
Abstract
Chapter 2 describes Ambedkar’s growing prominence in fighting for the rights of the Depressed Classes and speaking on their behalf to the authorities. This chapter begins with the sudden passing of an unlikely upper-caste ally, Shridharpant Tilak. It further continues to talk of social justice stalwarts like Jyotirao Phule and others instrumental in shaping Ambedkar’s beliefs and convictions. It sheds light on Ambedkar’s indomitable spirit, as he continued to work for the rights of the depressed classes despite personal tragedy and loss. It touches upon various milestone incidents including the agitation to drink water from the Chawdar tank, the burning of the Manusmriti and his first major campaigns. The book discusses Ambedkar’s first attempts to organise his community, his founding of the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha and the establishment of Bahishkrit Bharat, a fortnightly newspaper, and other social activities to promote his philosophy of “educate, organise, agitate”. The chapter details incidents in his life, including the accident at Chalisgaon, his failure to secure entry to the Kalaram temple, and his growing prominence. It describes Ambedkar’s first meeting with Mahatma Gandhi and the beginning of a difficult but hugely important relationship. The chapter ends with Ambedkar’s first signs of failing health.
Abstract
Chapter 2 describes Ambedkar’s growing prominence in fighting for the rights of the Depressed Classes and speaking on their behalf to the authorities. This chapter begins with the sudden passing of an unlikely upper-caste ally, Shridharpant Tilak. It further continues to talk of social justice stalwarts like Jyotirao Phule and others instrumental in shaping Ambedkar’s beliefs and convictions. It sheds light on Ambedkar’s indomitable spirit, as he continued to work for the rights of the depressed classes despite personal tragedy and loss. It touches upon various milestone incidents including the agitation to drink water from the Chawdar tank, the burning of the Manusmriti and his first major campaigns. The book discusses Ambedkar’s first attempts to organise his community, his founding of the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha and the establishment of Bahishkrit Bharat, a fortnightly newspaper, and other social activities to promote his philosophy of “educate, organise, agitate”. The chapter details incidents in his life, including the accident at Chalisgaon, his failure to secure entry to the Kalaram temple, and his growing prominence. It describes Ambedkar’s first meeting with Mahatma Gandhi and the beginning of a difficult but hugely important relationship. The chapter ends with Ambedkar’s first signs of failing health.
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Preface vi
- Epigraph vii
- Contents ix
- List of Plates xi
- Preface xiii
- A Note from the Author xix
- I Book One 1
- 1 Laying the Foundations 3
- 2 Mounting the Podium 28
- 3 Scaling the Peaks 52
- 4 View from the Mountaintop 79
- 5 Triumph and Disillusion 100
- II Book Two 137
- 6 A Life Well-lived 139
- Acknowledgements 202
- Bibliography 203
- Index 217
- Plates 227
Kapitel in diesem Buch
- Front Matter i
- Dedication v
- Preface vi
- Epigraph vii
- Contents ix
- List of Plates xi
- Preface xiii
- A Note from the Author xix
- I Book One 1
- 1 Laying the Foundations 3
- 2 Mounting the Podium 28
- 3 Scaling the Peaks 52
- 4 View from the Mountaintop 79
- 5 Triumph and Disillusion 100
- II Book Two 137
- 6 A Life Well-lived 139
- Acknowledgements 202
- Bibliography 203
- Index 217
- Plates 227
