About the Book
Ambedkarism as an ideology of the oppressed in India, particularly with reference to Bahujan masses, has emerged as a dominant discourse. It was during the centenary year 1991 that academics and activists discussed the contributions of B.R. Ambedkar in detail and realised the potential of a liberation thought. The book being an outcome of a national seminar for the first time twenty-five years ago, established theoretical foundations of building Ambedkarism as a philosophy. There are four sections containing 26 papers. Justice V.R. Krishna Iyer, A.M. Rajasekhariah, Sharad Patil, S.G. Kulkarni, S.K. Sarkar, K.N. Kadam and others; along with K.S. Chalam deliberated at the seminar around the theme of the book. This edition of the book contains new material that recorded the immensity and exuberance of Ambedkarism during the last twenty-five years since the first edition appeared.
Contents
1. The Relevance of Ambedkarism in India Today / M. Gopala Krishna Reddy
Part I: Ambedkar as Philosopher and Theoretician2. Philosophy of Ambedkar: Some Observations / S.G. Kulkarni
3. Ambedkar as a Philosopher and a Theoretician: An Evaluation / A.M. Rajasekhariah
4. The Post-Ambedkar Indian Experience / K. Wilson
5. Ambedkar and Marxism: A Critical Examination of the Case for Synthesis / Sharad Patil
6. The Buddhist Ambedkar / B.V.S. Bhanusree
7. Buddhism, Secularism and Ambedkar / K.N. Kadam
8. Democratisation of Higher Education in India: Ambedkar’s Vision / K.S. Chalam
9. Educational Philosophy of Ambedkar / K.P. Subba Rao
10. Ambedkar’s Life: A Search for Social Justice / P. George Victor
11. The Socio-Political Philosophy of Ambedkar / T. Krishna Kanth
12. Ambedkar as a Theoretician and Policy-Maker / G. Saibaba
Part II: Socio-Economic Ideas of Ambedkar and their Relevance13. Development Philosophy of Dr B.R. Ambedkar / K.S. Chalam
14. Socio-Economic Ideas of Ambedkar and their Relevance / S.K. Sarkar
15. Ambedkar on Economic Development and Social Justice / G. Nancharaiah
16. Ambedkar’s Views on Small Holdings in India / C. Sivarama Krishna Rao
17. Ambedkar and Democratic Socialism in India / K.S. Chalam
18. Caste and Patriarchy: Ambedkar’s Insight into the Status of Indian Women / M. Nalini
19. Ambedkar’s Views on the Indian Caste System / V. Subrahamanyam
Part III: Ambedkar as Constitution-maker and Institutions Breaker20. Ambedkar: A Creative Iconoclast / V.R. Krishna Iyer
21. Ambedkar: An Architect of Indian Constitution / Rega Jaganmohana Rao
22. Sixty-Five Years of Indian Constitution: A Prolegomenon of Social Justice / K.S. Chalam
23. Ambedkar’s Contribution to the Demolition of Tradition in India / K.S. Chalam
24. Practicability of Ambedkar’s Views on Annihilation of Caste / K.E. Rajpramukh
25. Sudras in the Vedas: A Critical Exposition by Ambedkar / R.K. Chauhan
Part IV: Perspectives of Research on Ambedkar26. Perspectives of Research on Ambedkar’s Socio-Economic Philosophy / A. Somasekhar
27. Post-Ambedkar Scheduled Castes Agitations in Andhra Pradesh: A Critical Evaluation / K.S. Chalam
About the Author / Editor
K.S. Chalam is a well-known economist, scholar and expert commentator on the political and social economy of India. He was a Member, Union Public Service Commission, New Delhi for six years. Earlier he served as Vice-Chancellor of Dravidian University, Kuppam. He was also Professor of Economics and founder Director, Academic Staff College Andhra University during 1976–2005. He is a prolific writer both in English and Telugu. He has published more than 100 research papers, 25 books in English and eight in Telugu so far.
Dr Chalam was on the Planning Board of Madhya Pradesh Government and served on Committees on Education of Government of Andhra Pradesh, World Bank, UGC and others. He has travelled extensively in seventeen countries, including an official delegation to Australia. He delivered endowment lectures on Dr Ambedkar and gave inaugural and valedictory addresses at several academic and social conferences. He served the National Human Rights Commission as Special Rapporteur for South India and is now Chairman, Institute for Economic and Social Justice, Visakhapatnam.
