Explore the ideological differences and similarities between Gandhi and Ambedkar, including their views on untouchability, democracy, social reforms, and political change.

Symbolism and Beliefs: Gandhi and Ambedkar's Resistance Against Oppression

• Similar Actions: Burning of foreign cloth (Gandhi) and Manusmriti (Ambedkar) symbolized resistance against bondage and slavery.
• Freedom: Gandhi believed freedom must be wrested by the people; Ambedkar expected it to be bestowed by rulers.

Democracy and Government: Gandhi’s Skepticism vs. Ambedkar’s Advocacy for Parliamentary Democracy

• Gandhi's View: Distrusted parliamentary democracy, saw it as prone to mass domination by leaders.
• Ambedkar's View: Supported parliamentary democracy and mass democracy as a means to pressure the government.

Ideology and Social Views: Gandhi’s Practicality vs. Ambedkar’s Liberal Ideology

• Gandhi's Approach: No rigid ideology, preferred practical alternatives; saw ‘Gramraj’ as a vision of independence.
• Ambedkar's Approach: Rigid principles, saw the Indian village system as perpetuating inequality, favored liberal ideology.

Social Reforms and Untouchability: Gandhi’s Moral Reform vs. Ambedkar’s Legal Remedies

• Gandhi’s View: Untouchability as a moral issue, part of the Hindu whole; advocated for reforms and atonement.
• Ambedkar’s View: Untouchables as a religious minority; criticized the term ‘Harijan’, preferred legal and constitutional remedies.

Religion and State: Gandhi’s Support for Religious Freedom vs. Ambedkar’s Advocacy for Secularism

• Ambedkar’s View: Advocated for separation of religion and State, and saw religion as a human-centered concept.
• Gandhi’s View: Supported freedom of religion but opposed separation of politics and religion; saw religion as a tool for social change.

Violence and Non-Violence: Gandhi’s Purity of Means vs. Ambedkar’s Justification of Violence

• Ambedkar’s View: Held non-violence as an end, justified means if ends were just.
• Gandhi’s View: Opposed all forms of violence; believed in purity of means to determine the end.

Mechanisation and Production: Gandhi’s Skepticism vs. Ambedkar’s Advocacy for Modern Machinery

• Gandhi’s View: Apprehensive about mechanisation’s dehumanizing impact; saw it as sustaining exploitative orders.
• Ambedkar’s View: Believed in the benefits of machinery and modern civilization; advocated for more machinery in a democratic society.

Shared Goals: Gandhi and Ambedkar’s Common Vision for Social Reform and Equality

• Non-Violent Social Transformation: Both leaders sought social transformation through democratic and peaceful means.
• Communication and Mobilisation: Gandhi used local vernacular; Ambedkar used English. Gandhi’s methods included non-cooperation and civil disobedience; Ambedkar emphasized legality and constitutionality.
• Untouchability: Gandhi viewed it as a moral issue within Hinduism; Ambedkar saw it as a major problem requiring legal remedies.