Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar (Vol. 17 Part-III): Speeches

Born on April 14, 1891, Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a scholar, social reformer, advocate for the rights of Dalits and women, the first Law Minister of independent India, and the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution.

In 1976, the Government of Maharashtra established the Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee to compile the complete works of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. The Committee included the then Education Minister of the state, along with prominent scholars and writers. In 1978, Dalit activist, author, and Officer on Special Duty Vasant Moon joined the Committee, after which it was decided to collect and publish Dr. Ambedkar’s unpublished writings as well.

The state’s Education Department began publishing a 22-volume series titled Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches in 1979. Later, in January 2014, the Dr Ambedkar Foundation—an autonomous body under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment—reprinted the entire series.
The third part of the 17th volume contains a chronological collection of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s speeches from 1927 to 1956, offering critical insights into his political, social, and ideological interventions. It includes landmark addresses, such as the Koregaon War Memorial speech (1927) and the Nagpur Depressed Classes Conference (1930), as well as key statements on the Poona Pact, Gandhi, and the Round Table Conferences. The volume also covers his speeches on conversion, caste, education, social reform, and Buddhism, in speeches such as “Buddha or Karl Marx” (1956). The 642-page volume comprises 159 speeches of varying lengths and three appendices, followed by the index and bibliography.

The first speech of the volume is titled “Great Fight”, wherein Dr. Ambedkar addressed a meeting of the Koregaon War Memorial on 1st January 1927. He began his address by reminding the audience of the heroism of the Mahars in the Battle of Koregaon fought in 1818, stating that hundreds from their community had fought valiantly alongside the British, even though the British later dishonoured them by declaring them a "non-military" community. He reminded the audience, “Much praise was showered on the Mahar Sepoys... they always stood steadfast by their officers and comrades, never letting down the honour of their Regiments.” He emphasised that this bravery was born not of privilege but of desperation, as Untouchables were denied all means of livelihood under caste Hindu oppression, and the army became their last resort. He urged his listeners to agitate to remove the unjust military ban on their community, asserting that they had nothing to lose and everything to gain from reclaiming their dignity.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s speech titled “People Cemented by feeling of One Country, One Constitution and One Destiny, take the risk of being Independent”—the fifth speech in Volume 17, Part III—was delivered at the first All India Depressed Classes Congress, held in Nagpur on 8-9 August, 1930. At this crucial juncture, the British government was preparing for the First Round Table Conference, and the Simon Commission Report had just been released (June 1930), sparking nationwide debates. As the Indian National Congress launched its civil disobedience movement demanding Purna Swaraj, Ambedkar and fellow Dalit leaders feared the political marginalisation of the Depressed Classes. Ambedkar warned that without safeguards, power in a self-governing India would pass from British rulers to upper-caste elites, asserting that “we ought not to be content with the mere change of masters… No class is good enough to rule over another class”.

The 10th speech titled “Future Generations of Hindus will Appreciate my Services”, delivered on 29 January 1932, is Dr. Ambedkar’s firm defence of his role at the Round Table Conference. Responding to criticism from caste Hindus, he asserted that while he was being vilified for demanding separate electorates for the Depressed Classes, his actions were driven by the pursuit of justice, not division. Emphasising that his intentions were rooted in justice and not in creating division, he declared, “I am described as a traitor by Congressmen because I opposed Gandhi. I am not at all perturbed by this charge. It is baseless, false and malicious... I am confident that the future generations of Hindus will appreciate my services when they study the history of the Round Table Conference.” Ambedkar expressed confidence that future generations of Hindus would recognise that he fought not against Hinduism, but against its injustices, and that his efforts would ultimately benefit the nation.

Dr. Ambedkar compares the two ideologies in his 159th and last speech called "Buddha or Karl Marx", which was delivered on November 20, 1956, before the conclusion of the World Buddhists Council Conference at Kathmandu. He contends that both Buddha and Marx aimed to eradicate human exploitation and suffering. While Marxism relies on violence, Ambedkar emphasised that “the Buddha would not allow violence, and the Communists do.” He maintained that Buddhism had long addressed issues of exploitation through its doctrine of Dukkha and its strict rejection of private property within the Sangha. Ambedkar concludes that Buddhism offers a more ethical and long-lasting basis for attaining justice and equality because of its emphasis on compassion, non-violence, and inner transformation.

The volume concludes with three appendices: Gandhiji’s article on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s proclamation of Conversion, the Constitution of the Samata Sainik Dal, and An Outspoken Utterance, followed by a bibliography and index.

Focus by Aseema.