Annihilation of Caste

First published in May 1936, ‘Annihilation of Caste’ is a work of political writing that spoke against the caste system and Hindu orthodox religious leaders, written by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a very renowned political leader, distinguished jurist, Buddhist activist, philosopher, anthropologist, historian, orator, writer, economist, scholar, and editor. Dr. Ambedkar fought to eliminate social evildoings like untouchability and for the rights of the Dalits and other socially backward classes throughout his life. Dr. Ambedkar was appointed as India's first Law Minister in the Cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. He was posthumously awarded the ‘Bharat Ratna’—India's highest civilian honor in 1990. This is one of the most significant, yet overlooked, works of political writing from India. It is a courageous denunciation of Hinduism and its caste system. Ambedkar offers a scholarly critique of Hindu scriptures, scriptures that authorize a strictly hierarchical and evil social system. The world’s best-known Hindu, Mahatma Gandhi, responded publicly to the provocation.