Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar a personality truly stands separate
among all the freedom fighters of India. By his futuristic vision about
society, economy, politics and religion the world looked up to him not as a
person, but a force. His impeccable hunger for knowledge to serve and uplift
the underprivileged and discriminated people driven him to acquire greater
qualifications. His vision is to build India socially, economically and
politically strong. Dr. Ambedkar's
argument to uplift the discriminated people and society is relevant even now in
the 21st century. It is not only relevant to India, but the
continents like Africa, Asia and America. The discrimination is still
persistent in one or the other way across the world. The basic idea about
nation of Dr. Ambedkar is the culmination of various socio-economic measures in
building a great nation. Further taking his idea of a nation, we can understand
that the nations are nothing but the human establishments through various
societies, in fact it is not wrong to say that a nation is nothing but a huge
society. The nations prosper only when
the societies prosper. After all, the
nations are formed to take care of the human beings belong to it. These ideas,
thoughts and visions of Dr. Ambedkar inspire us, the ideas were such futuristic
in the era where people could not even imagine and were suffering under the
atrocities of other nations on them. By
these acts Dr B.R. Ambedkar stands tall as one of the eminent intellectual
figures of modern India.
His quest for knowledge:
Ambedkar born in to a poor low
(Dalit) caste family, who were treated as untouchables in India, they were
subjected to socio-economic discrimination. Ambedkar, attended schooling with
great difficulty as the social atmosphere was not so favouring for the lower
caste people to educate themselves. He was the only person to complete higher
secondary school in his community. In 1907 he passed matriculation and got the
admission in Elphinstone College Mumbai.
Obtained the degree in economics and political science in 1912, from
Bombay University. His quest for knowledge did not stop here, instead of taking
up government job he decided to study further. In 1913 moved to United States
to study further by the help of a scholarship. Acquired master’s degree in
Economics, Sociology, anthropology, History and Philosophy from Columbia University,
NY. Presented a theses on “Ancient Indian Commerce” and second theses “National
Dividend of India” for another MA. In 1927 he was awarded PhD in Economics for
the third theses.
The urge to acquire knowledge was
so high that most of the eminent people of that era could not imagine what Dr.
Ambedkar achieved. His vision was to serve the people of his country to help
the underprivileged. His study and knowledge yielded and a better social
structure was developed by him. He was the key scholar in building our nation
socially and economically. Culminating all his knowledge in to building a
democratic nation after independence, was a tremendous work. His enormous contribution in drafting our
constitution with vision of making India progressive was undisputed. His constant efforts to acquire the knowledge
was the force behind making him the legendary Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
His envisioned social equality is
as relevant even now as it was in 1950s, not only in India, across the world.
His ideas are the pillars of Super power India. Today, if a tea seller become Prime Minister of India was the vision
Dr. Ambedkar
had. Today, if a Dalit become President of India was the vision Dr. Ambedkar had. That’s why I
call
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a Super Human.
Champion of social equality in
India:
Ambedkar, as a child faced the
social stigma, untouchability in every phase of his childhood, student life and
even in early job as lecturer. Ambedkar opposed the social system which allowed
untouchability. The era had social structure which alienated certain people
socially based on the caste they belonged. India needed a champion like him to
get rid of the evil tradition. He advocated, that if India needs to achieve
higher goals then the system like untouchability in society to be eradicated. A
society can only grow if the members of the society get accessibility to
education, the society should not be deprived of the education on the basis of
caste. Social equality plays a major role in nations' social and economic
development, hence Dr. Ambedkar fought for the rights of the discriminated
people of the society.
In Southborough Committee, which
was preparing the Government of India Act 1919, Ambedkar argued for creating
separate electorate and reservations for untouchables and other castes.
He continued his social reformation activities, started a weekly “Mooknayak”
(Leader of the silent) in Mumbai. His determination to uplift the discriminated
was notable and appreciated across the world.
In 1927 he launched active movements against Untouchability. He began
public movements and marches to open up public drinking water resources, which
were accessible only to the upper caste people. Also right to enter the Hindu
temples.
Started Satyagraha to allow the
untouchables to draw water from the main tank of the town.
The result the strong movement by
Dr. Ambedkar against the untouchability, the Poona Pact took place. M.R.
Jayakar, Tej Bahadur Sapru and Ambedkar at Yerwada jail, in Poona, on 24
September 1932, the day the Poona Pact was signed. Instead of separate electorate
announcement by British in 1932 for depressed classes; as a result of Mahatma
Gandhi's reluctance to the division of people on the bases caste, the representation
was given to the discriminated castes in the legislature. The “depressed class”
to denote untouchables among Hindus referred by the British, later called
“scheduled castes” and “scheduled tribes”.
The inclusive development of the
society lead to a greater nation. Dr. Ambedkar's reformative measures are
included in Indian Constitution. Reservation system in government jobs for the discriminated
scheduled castes and scheduled tribes was the topic majorly discussed. Even now
also the privileges given for SC/ST in government schemes and jobs are
undisputed and contributing to the growth of India. However, we cannot deny
that there are arguments in favour and against of the reservation system in
jobs, it is debatable.
Social Equality in modern
India and its success story:
India is one of the fastest growing
economies in the world. It is the result of the well informed citizens of
India. Buying capacity of the huge 130 crore people. Ability to interact with
world and understand the economy. All these were possible because of the
government measures of equality and accessibility of education and doctrine of
Dr. Ambedkar's socio-economic equality among the discriminated societies.
Today, India is among the top
performing country in IT/BPO/BT industries in the world. Entire India is
contributing to the growth of the Indian success story. This all was possible
because the movement of social equality in Indian continent. Dr. Ambedkar’s
vision and his dream of great India is realised now and that's why he is seen
as a Super Human, who could think a 100 years ahead.
Chairman of Constitution Drafting
Committe:
Became first law minister of
Independent India on 29th August 1947. He was appointed Chairman of Constitution
Drafting Committee. Was appointed by assembly
to write India's new Constitution.
Members of the constitution Committee:
Alladi Krishnaswami Ayyar, N. Gopalaswami, B.R. Ambedkar, K.M Munshi, Mohammad
Saadulla, B.L. Mitter and D.P. Khaitan.
Dr. B.R Ambedkar elected as
Chairman of the Drafting Committee in its first meeting on 30th August 1947.
His work on Constitution was
commendable and got appreciations from across the world for far versioned and
inclusive constitution. The guarantees and protection from the Constitution for
the citizens, wide range of civil liberties, freedom of religion, abolition of
untouchability and discrimination on the bases of caste and creed, etc. The
vision to provide economic and social freedom for women was revolutionary
thought of the era where women coming out was seen as a stigma. Dr. Ambedkar
made the Constitution an acclaimed master piece in the world by its unique, pro
developmental and socio-economic clarity. Today, India is beaming with the
success through the fundamental platform provided by the Constitution. Dr. B.R.
Ambedakar's vision and clarity of though made India a possibility and a great
nation.
Article 370: His Views:
In India, today the most
discussed topic is abolition of Article 370, which had given a special status
to the state of Jammu and Kashmir. It was NDA government abolished the same on
5th August 2019 and integrated the state with the Nation.
While introducing article 370 in
the Constitution of India, the nationalist Dr. B.R. Ambedkar opposed the same
and that was included against his wish.
Ambedkar had clearly told the
Kashmiri leader, Sheikh Abdullah: "You wish India should protect your
borders, she should build roads in your area, she should supply you food
grains, and Kashmir should get equal status as India. But Government of India
should have only limited powers and Indian people should have no rights in
Kashmir. To give consent to this proposal, would be a treacherous thing against
the interests of India and I, as the Law Minister of India, will never do
it."
The article came up for a
discussion in the absence of Nehru, however Dr. Ambedkar did not reply to
question on it. All arguments are done by Krishna Swami Ayyangar. By the above
statement it was very clear that Dr. Ambedkar did not want to include article
370 which was a weak link to the sovereignty of India. His vision was so clear
for Kashmir and opposed article 370. Whole world knows about the terrorism and
atrocities on Kashmiri Hindus because of the article 370. Until 2019 Kashmir
was a burning issue of India and was used as weapon against India by enemies.
Finally his vision was realised by the NDA government through abrogation of
article 370 on 5th August 2019.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and Uniform
Civil Code:
No doubt that a scholar who
proved himself in academics in most acclaimed universities of the world. Be it
Economics, Anthropology, Sociology, History, Philosophy, etc. He was a true son
of India, always fought for betterment of India and her people. His vision for
India was an unbiased society, economically strong and politically mature
country. To reform Indian society he wanted to recommend adoption of Uniform
Civil Code. However he could not succeed. He was very well aware of the future
of India and he wanted a better solution for it through uniform civil code. It
was the sad day that his recommendation was stalled and even now India is
suffering because of the different law for each religion.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and his vision
for India’s economy:
As an acclaimed economic scholar,
Dr. Ambedkar served the nation to make it economically stronger. His
fundamental argument to develop people and nation socio-economically was the
strength in building independent India. He had presented several papers on
economy and got doctorate from abroad. He advocated to invest in Agriculture as
a primary industry of India. From thousands of years the agriculture is not
only a primary source of economy but a religion for India. India has always
been an agricultural land. Encashing the same, Dr. Ambedkar wanted to develop
as an industry and be world leader in the food industry. Any one can imagine
his vision which is still relevant, even now also India is majorly an
agricultural land. Till today agriculture is a most neglected sector. He
advocated the socio-economic development, public hygiene, community health,
basic amenities to the citizens are still relevant to India even after 60
years. Establishing Finance Commission, income tax regulations, Land revenue
tax, excise duty policies, etc., are the tremendous contribution to stabilise
Indian economy.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, always remembered
as a visionary, scholar, economist, social reformer, leader and a great
nationalist. I salute to the great soul and submit this article as a tribute to
the super human. Jai Hind.
References:
THE STRUGGLE FOR HUMAN DIGNITY: DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR’S
PERSPECTIVE
By Jayadev Sahoo, Wikipedia,
https://www.constitutionofindia.net/constitution_making_process/drafting_commitee
