Originally written as a speech for the Jat-Pat Todak Mandal (a reformist Hindu group), Ambedkar was asked to remove some of the more radical parts of his speech. He refused. Instead, he published it himself in 1936. And I’m so glad he did. Reading it today, nearly 90 years later, the words still sting, disturb, and provoke thought.
Right from the beginning, Ambedkar is clear in his purpose. He does not soften his tone to please anyone. He criticizes the Hindu scriptures like the Manusmriti and Shastras, calling them tools of oppression. For someone like me, who grew up hearing the greatness of our ancient texts, it was shocking at first. But Ambedkar provides solid proof quoting directly from texts, giving examples, and connecting the dots. He writes like a scholar, but also like someone who has lived the pain of caste discrimination.
The book has the sharpness of an academic thesis. Each section builds on the previous one. Ambedkar first explains why reform from within Hinduism is not possible. Then, he attacks the idea that caste can be separated from Hindu religion. He makes a powerful point: caste is not just a social problem; it is a religious one. Religion has given it sacred approval. That’s why reformers like Gandhi, who tried to keep Hinduism and remove caste, failed to understand the root of the problem.
Ambedkar even criticizes Gandhi directly, and this was another surprise for me. In school, we often see Gandhi as the hero of India’s freedom and equality. But Ambedkar exposes how Gandhi’s words and actions often supported the caste system indirectly. For instance, Gandhi believed in the varna system and did not fully support inter-caste marriage or dining. Ambedkar, on the other hand, believed that without breaking these boundaries, real equality is impossible. He writes with fearless honesty, not to attack individuals, but to uncover the truth.
What I found most impressive was Ambedkar’s clarity of thought. His arguments are not emotional; they are rational. He writes like a lawyer and a historian, backing every claim with a reference or a counter-example. He even anticipates what critics will say and responds to those counter-arguments. This made the book feel like a classroom lecture or a debate, where logic wins over blind belief.
One powerful part of the text is when Ambedkar says: “Caste has killed public spirit. Caste has destroyed the sense of public charity. Caste has made public opinion impossible.” This struck me hard. We often talk about unity, nation-building, and democracy. But how can a society be united when it is divided by birth into higher and lower ranks? Ambedkar shows how caste does not only harm the so-called lower castes, but the whole society. It stops progress, creativity, and social justice.
Reading this text in today’s time made me realize how much of what Ambedkar wrote still holds true. We may have laws against caste discrimination, but caste-based violence, untouchability in practice, and social exclusion still continue in many parts of India. This book is not just a historic document; it’s a mirror to our present.
Stylistically, the book is heavy. It does not try to entertain. It expects the reader to think deeply. For students of political science, sociology, history, or literature, it offers rich material. At times, it feels like reading a journal article, with a strong thesis statement, evidence, analysis, and conclusion. But for someone interested in understanding India’s social system and the philosophy of resistance, it is a must-read.
What I appreciated most is that Ambedkar does not end with only criticism. He offers solutions. He talks about the need for equality, the value of liberty and fraternity, and the need for rational thought. His vision is not just to destroy caste, but to build a better society based on justice, dignity, and mutual respect.
To conclude, Annihilation of Caste is not a book you read and forget. It stays with you. It disturbs your comfort, shakes your beliefs, and forces you to look at society with fresh eyes. It reminded me that real change is not possible without radical thinking. Ambedkar was not just a reformer, but a revolutionary thinker who believed in the power of knowledge. This book, with all its academic seriousness, is a reminder that resistance begins with understanding and understanding begins with reading.
Thank you. Untill next review have a good time.
