Today on 14 April 2016 the whole India is celebrating the 125th birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of Indian Constitution and the champion of equality in his long struggle for the people of India. Everyone, starting from President of India, Prime Minister of India to all high-profile dignitaries in the political sphere, as well as in academics, has come forward to pay tribute to the great leader.
Other than his contribution in Indian politics, Babasaheb is better known as a jurist, an economist and a social reformer. He is regarded as the Father of Indian Constitution as he was appointed (on 29th August, 1947) the chairman of the constitution drafting committee. Ambedkar who was born in an "untouchable" (The Mahars, in Maharashtra) family carried on an unrelenting battle against caste system and untouchability throughout his life.
At this phase of Modern India when we are reeling with much difficulty in the polarised political scenario, Bhimrao Ambedkar’s ideas stand tall to bring the whole India together. Even though Babasaheb’s message touches everyone in our society with equality and justice, today political parties are only trying to exploit selective quotes in order to gain mileage and showcase their motives to take forward his great legacy.
He had a charismatic personality who only thought for the people of India as a whole. Hence to opine that he was only a Dalit leader is grossly wrong. His deep and vast study on human relation, social equality and dignity of humanity, he was first chosen as the member of the constituent assembly, then the first law minister of Independent India and finally the chairman of the constitution “Drafting Committee”.
Every true Indian must stand to Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideas who almost fought as a foot soldier on several issues. Whether it is secularism, social justice or socialism, his contribution to the nation is enormous. From his days in Bombay High Court when he was practicing law, he tried to promote education of untouchables, economic and social welfare of outcastes. He brought forward the struggle of Dalits through many periodicals such as Mook Nayak (leader of the silent, 1920) and Bahishkrit Bharat (1927). These were two Marathi journals edited by Babasaheb.
Dr. Ambedkar on Democracy:
He says, “Democracy is not a form of government, but a form of social organisation.” He suggested that in any democracy, there should not be inequalities in society; there should be equality in every sphere, including law and administration; there should be a healthy opposition; there should be no tyranny of majority; and should be a rational and moral order of society.
He once said that Indian society has already experienced democratic set up in reference to Buddhist Bhikshu Sanghas. In modern India context, he however firmly believed that political democracy cannot succeed without social and economic democracy. He further added that fundamental rights without economic security are no use of the downtrodden.
Dr. Ambedkar on Women Empowerment:
Babasaheb saw the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women had achieved. Somehow, today's feminist political thinking, social discourses and social democracy revolve around Ambedkar's ideas and philosophy that warrants to address the issues of class, caste and gender. He saw the oppressive, caste-based and rigid hierarchical structure as the reasons of women being the victims in our social fabric.
He in every sense, blamed the Hindu verna system and questioned Hindu scriptures such as "Manu Smriti" and "Dharma Shastra" which prescribed the dharma of each Hindu. He stated that the "Manu Smriti" is primarily responsible for the downfall of women in our society. Babasaheb Ambedkar had tried to promote women empowerment and gender equality through the Hindu Code Bill, which was widely opposed by the upper caste Hindu leaders.
Dr. Ambedkar on Religion:
Babasaheb was a born Hindu who faced the worst side of Hindu caste system in form of untouchability. He termed the untouchable Hindus as Depressed Classes and fought to safeguard their rights. He was certainly critical of Hindu religion, particularly the Hindu shastras that inflict atrocious traditions of caste system. He believed society must be based on reason and not religious practices. He believed that religion must propagate liberty, equality and fraternity.
Dr. Ambedkar's philosophy underlined the fact that the sovereignty of scriptures of all religions must come to an end if we want to have a united integrated modern India. Constitutionally, he made it clear that in a secular state, the parliament shall not impose any particular religion upon the rest of the people. As far as minorities are concerned, he suggested that the state should guarantee its citizen the free exercise of religion, including the right to convert within public order and morality. He himself converted to Buddhism in the later part of his life and even called for a mass conversion of Dalits to Buddhism, in 1956.
Nevertheless, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s legacy as a socio-political reformer is greatly relevant in present India. Whether it’s the caste based society, the issue of oppression of the poor or the issue of social and gender inequality, his ideas have immense potential to take India as a nation forward. Considering the fact that Hindu Right wing is now openly supporting his philosophy, his dream of India being a modern, socialist, and democratic, above all a just society certainly seems attainable.
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