Book Review [50] : Worshipping False Gods

'Worshipping False Gods' is an Arun Shorie magnum opus and like all the Magnum Opuses, it is a must read. This book mainly focuses on the three crucial times of 20th century India: Gandhiji's fast of 1932 and Poona Pact, Gandhiji's fast of 1943 and the making of the Indian constitution 1946-49. By sheer facts Arun Shorie punctures very wide spread and almost universal myths about a great man. No one can deny that he really championed the cause of Dalits similarly the contribution of Gandhiji in this great process of the upliftment of Dalits can not be belittled. Although we have not been able to eradicate the original sin of caste system but we have indeed made a great progress. This process should not take the role of a divisive force else it will defeat its sacred purpose and we all should be open minded to rationally analyze any personality without any exception whether Gandhi or Dr. Ambedkar but a community who is in the process of coming out from centuries old "slavery" tends to be defensive in its approach and it tries hard to defend its first reformers by minimizing his or her drawbacks and magnifying his or her qualities. The reaction to this book from certain section of people proves the point. Its very natural and people from other communities should show some patience. 

I admire Arun Shorie's well researched book but i question the need for this book in current time. Its a must read only for people who are well read and open minded else it will look like an upper caste manuwadi polemic against Dr. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar, Mahatma Gandhi and Sardar Patel are the three leaders that i admire the most but its really unfortunate for the country that all these three great leaders died within a decade after Independence and the later leaders perpetuated the dynastic politics.

Highly recommended (9/10)

P.S. As we all have entered into a new year, please accept my heartiest greetings.