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by Dr B R Ambedkar (Author), Karl Marx Siddharthar (Compiled by)
My desire is indeed grand. It is to make my people embrace not just the colossal admiration for Babasaheb but also the indomitable thoughts of the same learned Doctor. It is to make my people turn the entire pages of 'Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches' (BAWS). To turn the pages first; to understand his thoughts next; and eventually to embrace his path after self-contemplation.
It is possible to limit the selected writings and speeches of Babasaheb to a single book. Such attempts have already been effectively accomplished by many. But still such compilations have compelled the editors to leave out the corpus of high standard of arguments placed by Dr. Ambedkar on various subjects. Hence, I decided not to pick and choose among his best. Rather I have followed a stern approach of sequencing all his thoughts and arguments as it appears in each Volume of BAWS and this has inevitably led to a book series. However, I have intruded in one aspect and that is to shuffle the order of the 17 Volumes while compiling. I have done this keeping one eye on the precedence while presenting his works and the other eye on the theme. As a result, this book which is the second of 'Mastering Babasaheb' is a compilation of Volume 3 and 4 of BAWS respectively.
To the Communists and the Rationalists who are attracted to the idea of destruction of all the religions, 'Philosophy of Hinduism' as found in Volume 3 would undoubtedly compel them to rethink about the significance of religion via a different angle of vision.
'Riddles in Hinduism' i.e. Volume 4 of BAWS includes in it numerous texts from Hindu religious literatures. Since the present compilation is intended to serve mainly as a revision material, these religious texts as quoted by Babasaheb have all been excluded from this book. This has been primarily done to deter the readers in not losing track of the main argument about the riddles as made by Babasaheb. Inquisitive readers interested in familiarizing themselves with the Hindu texts as dealt in the Riddles should readily resort to BAWS.
We have witnessed many decades during which the writings of Babasaheb were suppressed and kept away from the Public's knowledge. But the previous and the present decade have become darker. We live in a time where not only Dr.Ambedkar is being appropriated by the anti-democratic forces but also, Buddha- whom Babasaheb himself considered as his master, is being misinterpreted and misrepresented. The readers have to be wary of this ideological appropriation. Because, our foundation is not only made of Intellectual Prowess of Dr.Ambedkar but also of the Noble Teachings of Buddha, the foremost Social Reformer.
The harangue placed by Babasaheb against Hinduism and his conviction in embracing Buddhism as the way for emancipation should be rightly understood by the masses- especially the young generation. There can be no doubt that the present compilation of Volume 3 and 4 of BAWS is bound to achieve this purpose.
While I am confident that 'Mastering Babasaheb' would acquaint the readers with the complete works of Dr. Ambedkar I earnestly hope that this compilation would hold my people and lead them to that grand desire of turning the entire pages of 'Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings and Speeches'- to turn the pages first; to understand his thoughts next; and eventually to embrace his path after self-contemplation.
The compilation of 'Mastering Babasaheb' was done by A.B. Karl Marx Siddharthar. He is the author of 'UNCASTE' otherwise subtitled as 'Understanding Unmarriageability: The Way Forward To Annihilate Caste'.
