1. What motivated Bhimrao Ambedkar to bring out Mooknayak?

2. Briefly, what were the issues he directly addressed in Mooknayak?

3. Did he explain why he had given the name Mooknayak?

4. Do you think Ambedkar the journalist has been largely ignored? If yes, why?

Exactly 100 years ago — Jan 31, 1920 to be precise – Bhimrao Ambedkar began his stint as a journalist . He founded a fortnightly newspaper in Marathi , Mooknayak. Prabodhan Pol, who teaches history and has written on the subject, explains why and how in an email interviewIt was in 1920 when Ambedkar decided to start his periodical, Mooknayak, This was a period of immense political churning in India. The political reforms (in the form of Government of India Act, 1919) were in place which provided a platform to new elements which were hitherto not part of the political domain. Non-Brahmin politics rose to prominence in this period particularly in western and south India. Also, the impact of non-Brahmin movement led by Shahu Maharaja of Kolhapur was responsible for situating the caste question in public sphere in western India altogether differently. It was Shahu Maharaja who partially funded the establishment of Mooknayak. Ambedkar saw the churning as an opportunity to vocalise the concerns of the marginalised untouchable communities. It was Ambedkar's vision that made Mooknayak the voice of voiceless and thereby establish new voice of Dalits in Indian politics He addressed several issues which include concerns regarding the nature of political discourse, attitude of indifference adopted by the elites to the caste question, and hypocrisy of nationalism particularly regarding caste, women and untouchability. Also, the periodical tried to address the concerns Dalit masses have towards contemporary leadership among Dalits.The name Mooknayak was probably influenced by Bhakti poetry. Ambedkar's biographers have argued that he finalized the name of the periodical after lot of contemplation. He consulted many Marathi writings which included the Bhakti literature. Saint Tukaram 's (medieval Bhakti poet) writings particularly helped him in finally deciding the title.Ambedkar had a very short career as an active journalist. Although he started Mooknayak, he was never an official editor of the periodical. He unofficially edited Mooknayak for six months. The only paper that he edited himself was Bahishkrut Bharat (1927-29). Other periodicals that became the mouthpiece of his movement were led and edited by his confidantes. Yet, Ambedkar as a journalist has been largely ignored by those who studied him closely, which also includes historians and his biographers. His editorship highlights his deep commitment to the questions of marginalised and his ability to articulate the concerns with an impeccable erudition.