Ambedkar ‘love letters’ kick up heat and dust

This one is yet another in the long line of books that have kicked up dust. A book based on the collection of ‘love letters’ written by a British woman Francis Fritzgerald to Dr BR Ambedkar has snowballed into a controversy even before it has hit stands. The author of the book, Prof Arun Kamble, was interrogated by intelligence officials following a complaint lodged with the Delhi police by Prakash Ambedkar, grandson of late Dr Ambedkar. Political factions affiliated to Dr Ambedkar are now mounting pressure on the state government and centre to stop the publication of the book.

Prof Kamble said, “I am going ahead with the book as it is based on the original letters written by Francis to Dr Ambedkar. The set of 91 letters exchanged between the two from 1923 to 1943 were handed over to me by Dr Ambedkar’s librarian S S Rege.” The former professor of Marathi at Mumbai University emphasised that his book does not undermine the stature of Dr Ambedkar. “I firmly believe that Dr Ambedkar and Francis had a platonic relationship. It was an intellectual relationship.” Francis worked as a typist in Britain’s House of Commons and India House in London.

However, the Bharip-Bahujan Mahasangh chief Prakash Ambedkar is not ready to buy this argument. “All original documents and publishing rights have been handed over by our family to the state government. From where has Prof Kamble dug out these documents?” he asked. Upset with the book in the process of publication, Prakash maintained, “The government must act. The state government alone had the rights of publication on Dr Ambedkar.”

Prof Kamble has handed over the documents to the Rolli books. Sources in the publishing house indicated there were no plans to shelve the 10-month project at this stage. A senior official indicated they have all the original documents, but refused to get drawn into the controversy.

Republican Party of India (A) leader Ramdas Athavale said, “The book will hurt the sentiments of Babasaheb’s followers. I will try to persuade Kamble into dropping the project.”

Determined to market the book, Prof Kamble said, “I am a staunch Ambedkarite. What I have stated in the book is based on research and facts. We should realise that Dr Ambedkar was also a human being. The letters give an insight into the past politics and round table conference.”