Contemporary Relevance of Ambedkar's Thoughts

Contents: 1. A Radical Conception of Democracy: Its Promise and Limits/Velarian Rodrigues. 2. Dr Ambedkar’s Social, Economic and Political Perspectives: Rooted in Dalit-Bahujan Productive Traditions/Kancha Ilaiah. 3. Dr Ambedkar’s Vision of a Just Society/James Massey. 4.    Liberty, Equality, Community: Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Vision of a New Social Order/Gail Omvedt. 5. Texts and Contexts: Ambedkar on Exhumation of Society and Culture in Ancient India/Nandu Ram. 6.  Ambedkar’s Political Nationalism: Context, Contour and Content/G. Aloysius. 7. Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar: Towards a Feminist Reclamation/Sharmila Rege. 8. Globalization and Dalit Emancipation/Anand Teltumbde. 9. Why Dr Ambedkar Demanded Separate Settlements for the Depressed Classes?/Avatthi Ramaiah. 10. Leadership Crisis Among Dalits in India Today/Prakash Ambedkar.

Contemporary Relevance of Ambedkar’s Thoughts attempts a fresh look at the various challenges confronting India today from the point of view of Ambedkar. This book brings together the critical reflections of his critiques and admirers on his philosophical and ideological roots, his conception of new social order, just society and democracy, his idea of history writing, women’s emancipation, separate settlements, and nationalism. It also throws light on the constitutional rights of the Dalit and Adivasi communities in the context of increasing privatization and globalization, and on the growing leadership crisis among these communities in the changing economic and political contexts. (jacket)