Review of Book Ranade , Gandhi and Jinnah written by Dr Ambedkar

Review of Book Ranade , Gandhi and Jinnah written by Dr Ambedkar

I am always enjoying writings of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar on various subjects like Religion, Cast system, on Creation of Pakistan, making states on linguistic basis , political issues of pre  & post independent period and above all on Economics. All his writings are well researched & useful to many generations. Recently, I got an opportunity to read a book which is nothing but the speech delivered by him in Deccan Sabha in Pune in 1943 on 101th birth anniversary of Late Justice Mahadev Govind Ranade and book name is Ranade, Gandhi and Jinnah.

From Yogesh Gogwekar

In this book, Ambedkar has shown us greatness of Justice Ranade by explaining the exact meaning of greatness. He questioned, " who can be called a great Man?." He said that men from army become great without waiting to be called great. He further said that even though details of their career & their moral are interesting, they do not affect society & form no leaven to transform or temper the whole. Other than Army men, he said that even sincerity & intellect are not enough to raise him to the dignity of a great man. According to him , great man must be motivated by dynamic of social purpose and scavenger of society & it constitutes his title deeds to respect & reverence and Justice Ranade  was one of such personalities.

Dr. Ambedkar said that he did not see or meet Ranade and he came to know  him at the time of examining the papers of his father which is purported to be a petition sent by Mahar Comunity to Government of India against the order issue in 1892 banning the recruitment of Mahar in the Army based on communal basis and how justice Ranade helped Mahar Comunity to lift the ban and recruit Mahar in Army. Ambedkar said that Ranade was great social reformer. He was also great historian, economist & educationist. His life is nothing but a relentless campaign for social reform. Ranade was having both courage & vision which reformer needs. Thus , Ranade becomes great because of his social work & the way he served them. He wanted to remove cast system, wanted to increase marriage age for girls , wanted to break free old taboos  & remove clutches of outdated practice in Hinduism.

The whole book throws light on Ambedkar's opinion on Justice Ranade. During his speech, Ambedkar provides necessity of multi party institutions in Democracy & also elucidates the necessity to have vibrant opposition. He has also spoken about free journalism and also warned about worship of man in Democracy.  He said that no man is greater than the Country.

Even though title has the name of Gandhi & Jinnah, there is not much said about them except some criticism on them. Overall book is worth to read.

Mumbai

01/09/2019