2025 Feels Like 1925 — The Caste War Ambedkar Tried to End Is Back

“Educate, Agitate, Organise.” This powerful slogan by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a rallying cry to uplift the Indian masses and propel them toward social reform at a time when the country was deeply entrenched in illiteracy, caste discrimination, and gender inequality. But are we in a better place today?

An exceptional legal luminary, relentless social reformer, and formidable debater whose eloquence left the Constituent Assembly in awe, Dr. Ambedkar envisioned a free India — one where women would be seen as equals, where caste would never define or hinder a person’s progress, where diversity would be celebrated, and religion would not be weaponised to spread hatred. Has this vision materialised, or have we drifted further away from it?

Dr. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping our ever-evolving Constitution, contributing to areas ranging from social justice and judicial independence to the drafting of the Preamble and the advocacy of workers’ rights. Sixty-seven years since his passing, how far have we really come?

In one recent incident, a Dalit student was forced to sit outside the classroom during an exam because she was menstruating. In Indian prisons, former inmates have reported that officers inquire about each prisoner’s caste, record it, and circulate this information. Work is then assigned based on caste — Dalits are often forced to sweep or clean, and non-compliance is met with beatings sanctioned by the administration.

The poisoning of a young Dalit woman following an inter-caste marriage and the brutal assault of an elderly Dalit man for seeking shelter during a rainstorm starkly illustrate that caste discrimination remains deadly in today’s India.

According to the 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom: India, there were numerous accounts of violence by law enforcement against religious minorities. In Gujarat, for instance, plainclothes police publicly flogged four Muslim men accused of injuring Hindu worshippers during a festival. In Madhya Pradesh, the state government bulldozed Muslim-owned homes and shops following communal violence in Khargone.

The RSS has long struggled to reconcile its vision of India with Ambedkar’s radical modernism. His call for the abolition of the caste system, focus on social justice, and commitment to secularism directly conflict with the RSS’s vision of an ethnocentric identity rooted in caste hierarchies and Hindu nationalism. Historically, the RSS upheld a conception of Hindu society that ran counter to Ambedkar’s emphasis on equality and social reform.

In another disturbing incident, a 15-year-old boy, the son of a shop-owner in North-East Delhi, was allegedly taken into custody, interrogated about his religious identity, and beaten by three policemen. Meanwhile, the representation of Muslims in Parliament has stagnated over the last two decades. Issues such as violence against women, gender-based discrimination, and unequal access to resources continue to persist.

Recently, the Prime Minister reaffirmed the central government’s commitment to ensuring that welfare schemes reach their “intended beneficiaries” without discrimination based on caste, faith, or ideology. He claimed that trust remains the “cornerstone” of his governance model.

Yet, since the BJP’s rise to power, the idea of secularism has been redefined. The party’s relentless push for a Hindu Rashtra has intensified discrimination. Paranoia, hatred, and violence have seeped into Indian society, leaving deep and possibly irreparable wounds.

Dr. Ambedkar was a staunch advocate for social justice and equality. He envisioned an India where the oppressive caste system would be dismantled, and every citizen, regardless of birth, would enjoy equal rights, opportunities, and access to education and resources. Central to his dream of an equitable India was the upliftment of Dalits.

However, the rise of the Hindutva ideology presents a direct challenge to this vision. Hindutva’s emphasis on a singular, dominant Hindu identity inherently marginalises minorities, including Dalits, who are often excluded from this dominant narrative. The push for a Hindu Rashtra fundamentally contradicts Ambedkar’s dream of a secular, inclusive India where all religions coexist peacefully.

Many perceive the current government’s policies as undermining Ambedkar’s legacy. The redefinition of secularism to favour Hindu nationalism, the erosion of minority protections, and the rise in hate speech and violence against Dalits are viewed as direct assaults on the principles of equality and justice he championed. The Citizenship Amendment Act, for instance, is seen as discriminatory towards Muslims, reinforcing the image of a Hindu-centric nation.

Despite this ideological divide, the RSS acknowledges Ambedkar’s significance, particularly his role in drafting the Constitution. However, this engagement often appears selective and politically motivated. Leaders like Mohan Bhagwat have quoted Ambedkar to project inclusivity, especially on issues concerning Dalits. Yet these references typically highlight his opposition to untouchability and legal contributions while ignoring his critiques of Hinduism, caste, and the importance of a secular state. The RSS’s attempts to co-opt Ambedkar’s legacy are widely seen as opportunistic, reflecting political interests — especially around elections — rather than a genuine embrace of his ideals.

This ideological tug-of-war between Ambedkar’s vision and the trajectory India is currently on raises fundamental questions about the future of Indian democracy. Upholding Ambedkar’s legacy — ensuring justice, equality, and inclusivity for all — remains an ongoing struggle. The path India chooses will determine whether we build the inclusive society he envisioned or capitulate to the divisive forces of Hindutva.