Watch: Why are Phule and Ambedkar’s ideas still making people uncomfortable?

In the land of the ideologies of Phule and Ambedkar, it raises several disturbing questions for a democracy, for the freedom of expression and for the intolerance towards the reflection of uncomfortable truths. At a time when the government is duty-bound to protect the freedom of expression of its citizens, it is equally disturbing that a body like CBFC falls prey to the pressure of the fringe elements.

In the land of the ideologies of Phule and Ambedkar, it raises several disturbing questions for a democracy, for the freedom of expression and for the intolerance towards the reflection of uncomfortable truths. At a time when the government is duty-bound to protect the freedom of expression of its citizens, it is equally disturbing that a body like CBFC falls prey to the pressure of the fringe elements.

Raising serious questions on the level of intolerance in the society and the amenability of the CBFC to the pressure of the fringe groups, was the controversy surrounding the movie ‘Phule’. Now this biopic on the lives of 19th century social reformers Mahatma Jyotiba Phule and Savitribai Phule, has been opposed by Brahmin groups, leading to the delay in its release. It was earlier slated to be released on the occasion of the 199th birth anniversary of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, on April 11. But after the CBFC suggested amendments watering down the original scenes in the movie, the film-makers decided to postpone the release. The biopc showcases several established facts on the lives of the couple which played a pioneering role for women’s education in the 19th century, through its battle against the caste system.

To get a perspective on why such protests and their impact on the film-makers should worry you, we have three prominent voices. The director of the movie, Ananth Mahadevan, said he found the objections ridiculous, and that he was sad that we haven’t yet matured as a society to be self-critical. We also spoke to renowned Dalit rights academic Kancha Ilaliah Shepherd, who threw light on the contributions of the Phule couple in the building of modern India, and the uncomfortable relationship the BJP shares with the Shudras. He spoke about the current political discourse around the movie. We also got in a word from Prakash Ambedkar, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar’s grandson, who spoke of how both Phule and Ambedkar were used and thrown by the ruling political dispensations for their personal interest and how neither the BJP, nor the Congress carry ahead the mantle of their ideologies.