Religion and slavery are incompatible.

B. R. Ambedkar’s quote, “Religion and slavery are incompatible,” reflects his belief that true religion cannot exist in a system that perpetuates oppression or inequality. Ambedkar, a key figure in the Indian independence movement and a champion for the rights of Dalits (formerly known as "untouchables"), argued that religion should serve as a force for liberation and empowerment, not a tool for justifying or perpetuating the subjugation of individuals or communities. He believed that slavery, in both its physical and social forms, directly contradicted the essence of a compassionate and just spiritual life.

In his view, many religious systems, particularly the traditional Hindu caste system, played a significant role in reinforcing the idea of social hierarchy and oppression. Ambedkar, himself a Buddhist, rejected the caste-based discrimination that he saw as embedded within certain religious practices and doctrines. He contended that religion should promote equality, justice, and human dignity, rather than supporting systems that disenfranchise and oppress marginalized groups.

The phrase "slavery" in Ambedkar's quote can be understood not just in the literal sense, but also in terms of the mental, social, and economic subjugation that certain religious practices have historically imposed on certain groups, particularly Dalits. Ambedkar’s critique underscores that any authentic religion should be a force for freedom—liberating individuals from both material and spiritual chains, rather than reinforcing them.

The origin of this quote is tied to Ambedkar's work in advocating for the rights of oppressed communities in India. As a scholar, social reformer, and the architect of the Indian Constitution, he was deeply critical of systems of power that used religion as a tool for oppression. His personal experience with discrimination, as well as his scholarly critique of caste-based inequality, led him to embrace Buddhism as a means to break free from the shackles of social injustice and to promote a more inclusive, egalitarian worldview.