Dr.B.R. Ambedkar Is The Most Popular Celebrity - A Tribute
By Dr.K.Vidyasagar Reddy
13 April, 2013
Countercurrents.org
(Abstract: As part of paying a tribute to him on the eve of his birth day, main contribution of Dr. B.R.Ambedkar that is beyond his role in making the Indian Constitution is memorized in this article. In his conception of egalitarian society, democracy has an extraordinary role which he defined as ‘one person, one vote'; and 'one vote, one value'. Dr. Ambedkar fought for civil rights and against caste and untouchability, whereby he created confidence among millions of silent masses. Thus, Dr. Ambedkar was not only the father of Indian Constitution but also the liberator of all oppressed sections and communities. No other icon but Dr. Ambedkar could truly represent that socio-cultural heritage in modern times, thanks to his inspiration from Jyotiba Phule, who was a pioneer in this context. As a social reformer, Dr. Ambedkar developed a progressive outlook that elevated his personality to its peaks. Humanist in him was present not only in his words but also in deeds, and of course throughout his life.)
When India became Independent on August 15, 1947, the country was crisis-ridden due to several socio-economic and political problems. Besides, as part of the four-fold Hinduism, there were four major castes that further caused disunity, both vertically and horizontally in the Indian society. Of all social evils that had undermined Indian social life more was the practice of ‘untouchability’ towards the ‘dalits’, also known as the Scheduled Castes! Obviously, these differences surfaced on the political horizon once the freedom was conceded to India. In other words, there were several challenges that the Indian Nation and the peoples were being faced with on the eve of its Independence.
Incidentally, it was Gandhis and Nehrus who were trying to deal with the multiple challenges in their own way. But, they lacked that concrete vision and outreach which could have stimulated one and all. Meanwhile, there was another-foreign educated, Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, emerged as the top leader of the so-called untouchable communities, the dalits among others. Unlike the two Congress leaders, Dr Ambedkar was concerned about the social cleavage, due to caste system in the Indian society. Thus, he made it a major issue in his struggle against social discrimination and inequality. He launched many a struggle against the social evils and casteist atrocities of his times. Having considered Mahatma Jyotirao Phule, as his philosophical mentor, Dr.Ambedkar worked against the casteist practices in the country. For, he was a social reformer of unparallel quality. He founded several institutions of educational and social nature in Maharashtra and outside.
Despite facing several odds at home and abroad Dr. Ambedkar had stood firmly on his ground. Incidentally, he took up the problems of one-fourth of Indians, the depressed castes, to the International level (Round Table Conferences at London) on couple of occasions. Ultimately, he was successful in achieving some concessions to his fellow communities, notwithstanding the opposition from the Gandhian leadership. Dr. Ambedkar was successful in making the social issue on the top of agenda of the new leadership of Indian government. At a time when whole country was praising the efforts of Gandhis and Nehrus of Indian National Congress for the success of freedom, Dr Ambedkar was taking on them, on the issues of casteism and social equality. It was like a situation of swimming across the currents, for him!
Even though he was born in a so-called untouchable community (Mahars), he emerged on the heights of academic achievements in the world. For, he studied law, philosophy and economics in the most reputed institutions abroad. Having acquired a doctorate degree for his work in economics from an American University, he authored several theses and books thereafter. For instance, his writing on the ‘annihilation of caste’ became the most powerful writings in his times. He practiced law in Mumbai courts. Besides working as the Principal, he was also a faculty in the law college. Dr. Ambedkar contributed several articles on the socio-economic plight of his fellow countrymen. He was a multi-dimensional personality, having humanism foremost in his works ala Karl Marx of Germany.
Following India's independence, the Nehru government invited Dr. Ambedkar to serve as the nation's first law minister, which he accepted. Subsequently, Dr. Ambedkar was appointed as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee by Constituent Assembly to draft a Constitution for independent India. Although there were several eminent freedom fighters, political leaders, intellectuals and educationists, Dr.Ambedkar alone was selected and requested to lead the team of Constitutional makers. Appointed as the head of that committee on August 29, he worked for more than two and half years on the drafting work.
Besides Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a galaxy of great leaders and legal scholars in the Constituent Assembly was associated with the drafting of the Constitution. Although it was the result of collective efforts, he alone worked on it consistently. Dr.Ambedkar had to spend several sleepless nights during the course of its drafting. In this Herculean task of Constitutional work, Dr. Ambedkar’s thorough knowledge of the Buddhist scriptures was to come to his timely help. Although Dr. Ambedkar used Western models to give the Constitution a form, its spirit was Indian! The manner in which he singlehandedly responded to several questions being raised in the Constituent Assembly was worth noting. His convincing arguments on many controversial issues won him big applaud during the course of debates in Assembly.
He provided an inspiring Preamble to the Constitution, ensuring justice, social, economic and political, liberty, equality and fraternity to one all. Always, Dr.Ambedkar was a champion of fundamental rights, which are made justiciable. Although non-judiciable is the character of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP), he claimed that there would be moral force on the regimes to implement it. In view of existence of numerous religions in the country, and considering the case of religious freedom, he included a right as part of the fundamental rights itself. In a way, that has enabled India to remain a secular state. Further, aware of the plural character of Indian society, Dr Ambedkar strongly advocated for the federal structure of the Union and States based on the principles of a strong Centre and independent States.
Dr. Ambedkar rightly stood for empowerment of Dalits, Adivasis, Backward communities, religious minorities and women in India. Dr. Ambedkar made it his life’s mission to uplift these masses. Besides, the most imperative contribution of Dr. Ambedkar was his fight for equal rights for women and for their voting rights. In fact, he had to resign from the Union ministry on an issue that undermined the women rights. The significant contribution of Dr. Ambedkar is reflected in the protective discrimination scheme envisaged under some provisions of Part III and Part IV (DPSP) to ameliorate the condition of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the other backward classes. Provisions like Article 17 prohibiting untouchability, Article 30 dealing with the protection of religious and linguistic minorities and of course an Article 46 is to uplift the SC/STs in educational and employment fields are some of the notable examples.
For achieving this goal the reservation policy was implemented for years. However, the scheme was sabotaged by those who were at the helm of affairs at the centre or in states. Hence, the scheme has been extended time and again so as to make it a political issue rather than implementing it effectively. Tragedy is that the rulers are not showing any interest for effective implementation of the Constitution. Inconsequence, though the Constitution of India provided to all its subjects right to live with honor and dignity, the caste is still playing disastrous role in the life of these masses.
Finally, Dr. Ambedkar believed that the parliamentary system of government alone can usher in an egalitarian society through the application of principles of social democracy. Further, he created nine Schedules so that those included in the Schedules are protected without any changes. His efforts to eradicate social evils were remarkable and thus his birthday is celebrated every year on April 14, not just as an official affair, but also as a national festival. Having failed to realize his dream of social equality in India, he died on December 6, 1956. He became more popular over a period of time. He is the most respected human being on the earth these days, as he is remembered in each and every corner of the country. Thus, he was posthumously awarded the prestigious Bharat Ratna as late as in 1990.
To sum up, Dr Ambedkar played a seminal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution and outside. He used all his experience and knowledge in drafting it. He hammered out a comprehensive workable Constitution into which he incorporated his valuable views. He gave free India its legal framework, and the people, the basis of their freedom. To this end, his contribution was significant, substantial, and spectacular. Dr Ambedkar’s contribution to the evolution of free India lies in his striving for ensuring justice—social, economic and political—for one and all. So the need of the hour is to implement the constitution in its true spirit. The constitution was designed in such a way that all its citizens are treated equal not only politically but otherwise. It will enable the Indian society to overcome all social and economic evils that the Nation is faced with.
Dr.K.Vidyasagar Reddy, Mizoram University, Aizawl (India)
Comments are moderated
