Dr. B.R. Ambedkar entered the field of journalism by launching his first newspaper, Mooknayak, in 1920, as he understood that the media was dominated by Savarnas, who would never publish news about the marginalized. To give a voice to the voiceless, he launched his own newspaper. Babasaheb’s journalistic journey did not end with Mooknayak; he went on to launch Bahishkrit Bharat, Samata, and Prabuddha Bharat.
Following in Babasaheb’s footsteps, Dr. Roopchand Gautam has written a series of books titled Ambedkar Jansanchar, a collection of 14 volumes in which he has meticulously researched various Ambedkarite media platforms, including print, television, and digital media. His writings vividly depict how Ambedkar has been portrayed in the media, as well as the rise and decline of Ambedkarite media. Dr. Gautam has also compiled speeches, books, articles, songs, and verses based on Ambedkarite vision, all of which narrate the experiences and perspectives of the marginalized.
On September 14, 2024, Dr. Roopchand Gautam launched his series in the presence of dignitaries such as Mohandas Naimisaray, Advocate Guruprasad Madan, and Prof. T.U. Phooljhele, who highlighted the remarkable features of the books. They noted that the series uncovers hidden aspects of Ambedkarite journalism and will be invaluable for future generations in understanding Ambedkar’s role as a journalist. This book series is a significant contribution to academia, shedding light on the stories, incidents, art, culture, pain, and grief of the marginalized.
