A review by kevatappi
Annihilation of Caste by B.R. Ambedkar

5.0

Ambedkar’s arguments make a clear indictment of the caste system, along with dissecting its spiritual base, and the many denials of its problematicness (i.e. “it’s a division of labor” or “every caste it’s treated with the same respect”) that are very much still around today. I was worried by the influences of Western liberalism coming across as out of touch, but Ambedkar incorporates Dewey and many others to ground in “the only constant is change”, counter hereditary/ancestral destiny, and lay out a case for a less divided society. I was especially impressed with his (implicit) analysis of power, which is the main backing to the claim of caste having a hierarchy. Another tidbit along the same lines is how he plays out the plight of a group who is stripped of knowledge, physical fighting, and other means of fighting for justice. Roy’s fiery intro puts the speech into perspective with issues that very much still alive today.

- 10 hr, edition w intro by Arundhati Roy and extensive contextual footnotes