Ambedkar’s Imaginary of Nation and Nationalism

Abstract

Ambedkar made an in-depth study of the idea of nation and nationalism, and anticipated some of the conceptualization of nation and nationalism that emerged in the sociology of nationalism since the late 1960s, namely nationalism as fusion of culture and power and nation as a power homogenized modern political community. Based on Ambedkar’s examination of the Muslim League’s claim of Muslims in India constituting a separate nation, this paper explores Ambedkar’s imaginary of the nation and his views on nationalism which appears to have been influenced by Renan’s writings on nation. The relevance of Ambedkar’s views on nation and nationalism lies in providing a perspective and insight into evaluating the state of our nation today, as well as the health of our democracy.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46700/asssr/2024/v6/i1/J2401