M. K. Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, both had their contribution in the empowerment of Dalits. Among them, ‘who was more effective in reaching out the cause of Dalits’ If asked then the answer will be Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Likewise in between Jawaharlal Nehru and Mahatma Gandhiji, Gandhiji was most popular among the common people of India.
The reason if analysed, it is because of the connection which people get with the individual who represent us.
Jawaharlal Nehru was Indian man with British lifestyle, that is Nehru had a more elite dressing and lifestyle, whereas, Gandhiji gave up his western dressing form, learnt Indian society for an year and later involved himself in dealing with people and their problems. Gandhiji was effective among the masses in whole but Dalit’s in general he was not completely successful as he didn’t belong to the Dalit society. For him problems of Dalits were something which he had seen and heard. But Ambedkar was a victim to the atrocities.
A more practical approach towards Dalit community and their problems were possible by Ambedkar but not Gandhi.
Same goes to the problems which women face. Here, women have to represent themselves. Man might be a witness to certain inequalities but it is only women who can address issues in most effective way.
For a women it is difficult to handle objects like hammer and certain other heavy tools. The involvement of women in iron tool industry is least due to same reason. In matters of riding a two wheeler, the bikes are manufactured in a way that, carrying its weight is more comfortable and convenient to men than women. When taking class, the pocket speaker-mic fits in only to the pockets of male teachers, where as for a female teacher her one hand has to do the carrying work of speaker. This is due to ignored fact of women too wanting a pocket in her salwar or other clothing.
In all these cases, necessity becomes the mother of all inventions. Women began riding two-wheelers, women friendly scooties came up. If women involve her self in a particular field, the culturally ignored aspects will be figured out and solutions will be found. Weightless hammer and other technical tools will slowly occupy the markets. An evolution in stitching pockets on women’s clothes have slowly begun if not successfully implemented.
Gandhiji could not represent Dalits like Ambedkar, Nehru couldn’t represent Indians like Gandhiji. And so, man cannot represent women, if she doea not will to do it herself. And so be your own saviour for no one will represent you than yourself.