Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s Waiting for a Visa is a deeply personal yet universally significant account of caste-based discrimination in India. Written between 1935 and 1936, this short but impactful work offers a raw and unflinching narrative of Ambedkar’s own experiences and those of others from marginalized Dalit communities. Spanning six concise chapters, the book serves as a critical examination of the social injustices that plagued Indian society and continues to resonate today.
The book shares personal stories and experiences, both from Ambedkar’s own life and from others, to highlight the widespread practice of untouchability in Indian society. Through these anecdotes, it paints a powerful picture of the harsh realities faced by the Dalit community.
Availability of Book
Waiting for a Visa is an autobiographical work written by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar between 1935 and 1936. It was published as a booklet in 1990 by the People’s Education Society, long after Ambedkar’s death. The book Waiting for a Visa by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar is a paperback edition published on 15 August 2024. The book is contributed by Infinite Words and contains 48 pages. It is available for purchase on Amazon, where readers can find both physical and digital copies. You can easily search for the book on the Amazon website or use the direct link to buy or learn more about it. This book is available in Hindi, Marathi and English.
Themes and Impact of Waiting for a Visa
Ambedkar narrates instances of discrimination with striking honesty, vividly recalling the dehumanizing treatment faced due to his “untouchable” status. From being denied shelter and transport to witnessing a Dalit woman’s tragic death due to medical neglect, each episode underlines the pervasive cruelty of casteism. Ambedkar’s recounting of events, such as the refusal of tongawallas to serve him or his exclusion in academic and professional spaces despite his remarkable qualifications, evokes both outrage and empathy.
At its heart, Waiting for a Visa is not just an autobiography but a poignant critique of systemic oppression. Ambedkar weaves his narrative with examples of resilience, notably the acts of resistance such as the Mahad Satyagraha, where Dalits asserted their right to access public water resources. This duality of struggle and empowerment imbues the text with a sense of purpose, urging readers to reflect on and challenge societal hierarchies.
Style and Presentation of Waiting for a Visa
Written in a simple yet evocative style, the book Waiting for a Visa feels almost like a conversation with Ambedkar. Its directness, combined with its data-backed insights, leaves a lasting impression. The repetition of certain incidents, far from being monotonous, reinforces the depth and ubiquity of caste discrimination. This approach ensures that the message lingers with readers, compelling them to confront uncomfortable truths.
A Timeless Read
Although first published decades ago, Waiting for a Visa remains a timeless call for social justice. Its inclusion in educational curriculums, such as at Columbia University, underscores its enduring relevance. Ambedkar’s firsthand accounts, paired with his broader analysis, make the book a foundational text for understanding caste dynamics in India.
The book opens with a brief introduction, followed by six sections that explore Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s personal encounters with untouchability and those of others. The first four sections are based on Ambedkar’s own experiences, while the final two sections focus on the experiences of other individuals that he presents.
Central Themes of the six chapter: Waiting for a Visa
A Call to Understand Untouchability
In the opening Introduction, Dr. Ambedkar addresses his readers, particularly foreigners, to highlight the concept of untouchability in Indian society. Through this introduction, he aims to familiarize those who may not be aware of the brutal caste-based discrimination faced by the Dalit community.
- A Traumatic Childhood Journey: In the first section of Waiting for a Visa, Ambedkar recounts a painful journey from Satara to Goregaon in 1901. At just nine years old, he travelled with his siblings to visit their father, but the trip quickly turned into a nightmare due to the discrimination they encountered. The family faced harsh social barriers and the journey became difficult and dangerous. Ambedkar also recalls the shameful treatment he received at school. He was forced to sit on a separate piece of gunny cloth, which he was made to take home, to prevent the ground from being “polluted” by an untouchable. Additionally, Ambedkar had to rely on the presence of a school peon to drink water, as the school authorities feared the water would become “impure” by an untouchable’s touch. He highlights the absurdity of the situation by stating, “no peon, no water.”
- Struggles Upon Returning from the West: Upon returning to India after completing his studies abroad, Ambedkar faced caste discrimination in Baroda in 1918. Though he had earned a law degree and several qualifications, none of the Hindu hotels in Baroda were willing to offer him accommodation due to his lower caste. Ambedkar, having grown used to a more progressive environment abroad, was shocked by the discrimination he encountered. He was forced to register under a false name at a Parsi inn, but when the truth was discovered, the innkeepers evicted him. This event deeply impacted Ambedkar, teaching him that caste prejudice extended beyond Hindus to other communities like the Parsis.
Feeling disheartened, Ambedkar decided to seek temporary shelter while waiting for a response to his application for a bungalow from the Minister. He had two friends in that area a Hindu and an Indian Christian but both turned him down because of his lower caste. The Hindu friend told him, “If you come to my house, my servants will leave,” while the Christian friend suggested that his Brahmin wife would never agree to allow an untouchable to stay in their home. With no other options, Ambedkar left Baroda and returned to Bombay. He ended the section with the realization, “It was then for the first time that I learnt that a person who is an untouchable to a Hindu is also an untouchable to a Parsi.”
- A Dangerous Incident in Chalisgaon: While visiting the village of Chalisgaon in 1929, Ambedkar faced discrimination even as a well-educated lawyer. He recounts an accident that occurred when the untouchables of the village, trying to give him a dignified ride, hired a carriage for him. However, the untouchable driver was inexperienced, leading to an accident. This incident reflects the shame and pride that the untouchables felt, believing it beneath their dignity to allow their guest to travel on foot. Ambedkar also highlightsin Waiting for a Visa how even menial workers felt superior to him simply because of his untouchable status, despite his high education.
- Religious Prejudice Across Communities: In this chapterof Waiting for a Visa, Ambedkar shares an experience from 1934, when he and his friends visited the Daulatabad Fort during a trip to Aurangabad (then in the Nizam state of Hyderabad). After washing themselves with water from a tank, they were accused of “polluting” the water by a Muslim man. This incident illustrated the universality of untouchability in Indian society, as even Muslims exhibited the same prejudice as Hindus. Ambedkar uses this experience to emphasize that caste-based discrimination is not confined to one religion but is prevalent across communities in India.
- Negligence in Healthcare Due to low Caste: Ambedkar recounts a tragic story from 1929, published in Young India, about a Harijan woman in Kathiawar who died during childbirth due to a doctor’s refusal to treat her because of her caste. The doctor (Hindu), a Brahmin, agreed to see her only under the condition that she be treated outside the Harijan colony, without physical contact. The teacher agreed, and the procedure began and the doctor handed the thermometer to a Muslim, who then passed it to the school teacher, who finally gave it to his wife. After checking her condition, the doctor diagnosed her with pneumonia and departed. Despite the doctor’s diagnosis, the woman’s condition worsened due to lack of proper care and the doctor refused to return to check her again and she ultimately died. Ambedkar uses this incident to illustrate how caste-based discrimination even infiltrates the medical profession, where doctors prioritized caste over their professional responsibilities.
- Abandoning a Job Due to Caste-Based Discrimination: This chapterof Waiting for a Visa tells the story of a young man who was from the Bhangi community who worked as a clerk in Borsad, Gujarat. Due to his untouchable status, he faced severe discrimination at work and was not allowed to drink water or be housed by his colleagues. The situation escalated to the point where he was threatened with violence by a local mob. This led him to quit his job, illustrating the extent of caste-based humiliation even in the workplace. The untouchables in the village were unable to offer him help or shelter, as they feared backlash from the upper-caste Hindus, who were angry that he had taken a job they believed was not meant for someone of his caste. Ambedkar underscores how societal rejection forced many Dalits to leave their jobs and abandon their livelihoods.
Publisher’s View on Waiting for a Visa
Dr. Ambedkar’s Waiting for a Visa is not just an autobiography but a scathing critique of caste-based inequality. The referenced quotes capture his personal struggles and the broader systemic failures that denied basic human dignity to Dalits. It reminds us that the battle for basic needs is not merely historical, it remains an ongoing struggle for many marginalized communities worldwide.
- Highlights caste-based discrimination faced by Dr. Ambedkar
The publisher, Infinite Words, describes Waiting for a Visa by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a significant and impactful account of caste-based discrimination experienced by Dr. Ambedkar himself and others. This book sheds light on the harsh realities of untouchability and challenges societal norms by exposing its deeply entrenched biases. With its profound narrative and thought-provoking content, the book serves as a reflection on India’s social inequalities and a call for justice and reform.
This perspective aligns with the theme of the book, which not only recounts personal and shared experiences of injustice but also advocates for equality and human dignity.
- Deep historical roots of discrimination against Shudras and untouchables
This line refers to the extensive and deeply rooted social, cultural, and systemic oppression faced by these communities in India for centuries. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar highlights this discrimination in Waiting for a Visa, illustrating how untouchability was not just a social stigma but a structured form of exclusion that permeated education, housing, employment, and even access to basic human necessities. This historical context underscores the persistent inequalities that Ambedkar aimed to address through his writings and activism.
- Brief Autobiographical account written in 1935-36
This excerpt highlights the first chapter of Waiting for a Visa by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. It provides an autobiographical account written between 1935-36, reflecting on caste-based discrimination faced by his family. The prominent quote, “Unlike a drop of water which loses its identity when it joins the ocean, man does not lose his being in the society in which he lives. Man’s life is independent.”, emphasizes individuality despite societal prejudices.
The passage recounts Dr. Ambedkar’s family background, originating from Dapoli Taluka and their ancestral association with the East India Company. A poignant incident is described when the family, including young Ambedkar, faced neglect and humiliation at Masur Railway Station, symbolizing the systemic untouchability ingrained in Indian society at that time. This serves as a stark illustration of how caste oppression influenced even the most routine activities of daily life, such as travel or receiving basic assistance.
- Exemplifies deadly caste-based discrimination in healthcare
This excerpt from Waiting for a Visa by Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar highlights the dire consequences of caste-based discrimination, particularly in healthcare and housing. The narrative revolves around Dr. Ambedkar’s own lived experiences as an untouchable (Dalit) in pre-independent India. Despite his stature as a scholar and leader, he was denied basic human dignity due to the rigid caste hierarchy.
Deprivation of Basic Necessities: Dr. Ambedkar describes how he was forced to live in appalling conditions, likening his dwelling to a dungeon. However, given the societal rejection he faced, even this substandard shelter felt like a privilege. This reflects the systemic denial of access to proper housing or facilities for Dalits, showcasing the cruel impact of caste-based discrimination.
Emotional Toll on Families: The grief and helplessness portrayed by Ambedkar’s nephew, who breaks into tears upon witnessing his uncle’s living conditions, underline the deep emotional trauma caused by caste-based ostracism. The inability to provide dignity and safety even for their loved ones is a habitual pain for Dalit families.
Forced Concealment of Identity: To survive, Ambedkar had to disguise himself as a member of the Parsi community. This act of impersonation was not out of choice but a necessity to escape casteist discrimination. It illustrates how Dalits often had to conceal their identities to access basic rights, including healthcare, housing, or education.
Caste-Based Discrimination in Healthcare: The book further explores incidents that exemplify how casteism directly endangered the lives of Dalits. Untouchables were often refused medical care because casteist doctors and hospitals viewed them as “polluting.” Such systemic discrimination led to preventable deaths, as Dalits were denied timely treatment. The mental anguish and physical suffering caused by these injustices were immeasurable.
Lack of Access: The quote exemplifies a broader truth where caste dictated who could access life-saving resources like hospitals, medicines, and shelter.
Inhumane Treatment: Dalits were often subjected to humiliation or outright neglect in healthcare institutions. This perpetuated cycles of poverty and ill-health within marginalized communities.
Societal Indifference: The excerpt also sheds light on society’s apathy, where caste-based injustice wasn’t merely a social issue but an institutionalized norm.
Final Thoughts
Waiting for a Visa is more than just a memoir; it is a manifesto for equality and human rights. Through its stark portrayal of caste discrimination, the book not only sheds light on historical injustices but also inspires ongoing efforts to dismantle caste-based inequalities. This is a must-read for anyone seeking to understand India’s social fabric and the relentless pursuit of dignity by its marginalized communities.
