For Dr. Ambedkar the Nation was Paramount

The country is celebrating the 75th year of its Constitution. This is the time to “respect the Constitution”. This is a historic journey of the Constitution which has established itself as a strong force by overcoming many obstacles and challenges.This is an achievement because the average age of most Constitutions of other countries that gained independence along with India has been 15 to 17 years. India has stood in the category of a successful democracy. At the time of this success, it is necessary to remember those constitution makers in which Dr. Ambedkar represents everyone as a symbol. Respecting the Constitution is respecting Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Baba Saheb is the architect of the Constitution of India. Dr. Ambedkar was spiritual. He believed that the supreme conscious soul is present in everyone. He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and contributed to the drafting of the Constitution. Dr. Ambedkar’s Constitution is based on the concept of “Atmavat Sarvabhutesh”. If this were not so, such a beautiful preamble would not have come out. We all know that the soul of the Indian Constitution lies in its preamble. The preamble is the national objective of India. Its attainment is the desired goal. The preamble is the basic spirit or life element of the Indian Constitution.

Dr. Ambedkar spoke for the first time in the Constituent Assembly on 17 December 1946 and for the last time on 25 November 1949 when the Constitution was ready. He was elected Chairman of the Drafting Committee on 29 August 1947. We cannot mention all the speeches but his remarks of 25 November as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee are the essence of all, this speech is very meaningful and relevant in which he has explained the working system of the Constitution, the pre-conditions for the success of democracy and the apprehensions of its failure.

The first meeting of the Constituent Assembly on 9 December 1946 and the entire constitution was prepared in two years, eleven months and eighteen days for which a total of seventeen sessions of the Constituent Assembly were held. Out of these seventeen sessions, the first six sessions were spent in passing the objective resolution and considering the reports of the committees on Fundamental Rights, Union Constitution, Union powers, Provincial Constitution, Minority Classes and Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes. The draft of the constitution was discussed in the seventh, eighth, ninth, tenth and eleventh sessions. These eleven sessions of the Constituent Assembly took 165 days. Out of these, the assembly spent 114 days in considering the draft of the constitution. He himself had placed these facts on the table of the House.

Baba Saheb’s role as the architect of the Constitution is extensive because he was the chairman of the drafting committee. In a way, he is synonymous with the Constitution. Almost all articles are some answer or suggestion, but it is necessary to mention some of his contributions.

One word is enough to commemorate his contribution to nation building and integration of the nation. Article 1 of the Indian Constitution states that “India That is Bharat shall be Union of States”, India will be a ‘Union of States’. This term paves the way for the process of integration of India.

His political life can be generally divided into two phases from an ideological point of view. The first stage is where Dr. Ambedkar is against the Indian National Congress. The second stage is the welfare of the untouchable society which is at the center of his thinking.

When he becomes the chairman of the drafting committee, nationalism is visible in his thoughts. Nation building and integration of the nation become the dimensions of his thinking. The Constituent Assembly, was vocal and clear on issues such as Uniform Civil Code, language, powers with the Centre etc.

As a Law Minister, he called his community to return from Pakistan, advised them not to accept Islam and must pay attention to national interests. Here, Dr. Ambedkar emerges as an epochal leader.

For Dr. Ambedkar, the nation was paramount. He was a staunch patriot because the focus of his entire thinking was India and its future. His research from the London School of Economics was also about strengthening India’s economy and his research from Columbia University also focuses on India’s trade/business/commerce.

Therefore, we can say that wherever Dr. Ambedkar lived, his country was always there. India was the only thing that lived in his mind. Therefore, when we look at Dr. Ambedkar in totality, we see the greatness of his life. He gives a message to every Indian. “We are Indian Firstly and Lastly”, this line looks simple to read but its meaning is equally deep.

Dr. Ambedkar was always against the forces supporting the divisive policies of the country. Before the partition of India, he exposed the conspiracies against India in Pakistan and Partition of India. In his speeches, he says that if Pakistan has to be created, then there should be “total exchange of Muslim population”, that he advocated sending the entire Muslim population to Pakistan.

After the partition of India, the Nizam of Hyderabad did not merge with India and Dr. Ambedkar was very saddened by the continuous incidents of atrocities on Dalits by him and in Pakistan. Dalits were being forcibly converted to Islam in Hyderabad and Pakistan. Dr. Ambedkar, calling the Nizam of Hyderabad an enemy of India, instructed the Dalits there not to support him. His nationalism is clearly reflected here.

There was a natural apprehension in the Indian and Western world that how long will independent India remain independent. This question was also before Ambedkar. Being the chairman of the drafting committee, it was necessary to know its answer. Therefore, Dr. Ambedkar says that “On 26 January 1950, India will be an independent country”. What will be the result of its independence? Will it be able to protect its independence or will it lose it again?

Dr. Ambedkar’s second fear is about the future of the Indian Constitution. He says that when India becomes a republic on 26 January 1950, what will be the future of its democratic Constitution? Will we be able to protect it or will lose it again? This is the second thought that arises in his mind and disturbs him like the first thought.

The third question was what is the quality of the Constitution? Dr. Ambedkar connects the Constitution and political culture and says that “I believe that no matter how good the Constitution is, if the people implementing it are bad, then it definitely becomes bad”. The functioning of the constitution does not depend entirely on the type of constitution. “The constitution is only a system which has been created for the smooth functioning of the various parts of the government. The future of the constitution depends on the form in which the common citizen participates in this political process.

In the context of India, he says three things for the success of democracy and constitution-

1. Abandoning the path of revolution
2. Discontinuation from personality worship
3. Coordination of political democracy with social and economic society.

It is the love of a good craftsman to keep the building constructed by him safe for a long time. He wants to keep it, so he resolves those fears also. Here Baba Saheb was in favour of keeping the Constitution flexible in the context of the challenges that would come in the future. The result of which can be seen today. Through this we can also see the significance and reality of the Constitution.

Hon’ble Modi ji’s National Democratic Alliance Government and Dr. Ambedkar

Hon’ble Modi ji’s National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government has developed the places related to Dr. Ambedkar’s life (Janmabhoomi, Shikshabhoomi, Dikshabhoomi, Mahaparinirvana Bhoomi and Chaityabhoomi) as Panchtirth to propagate his ideas. As per the government’s instructions, 26 November is being celebrated as ‘Constitution Day’ from 2015. This is an acknowledgement of his contribution to the Constitution. Panchtirth has been developed as a symbol of harmony of the society. In a way, this is the time to respect the Constitution and the present government is paying tribute with ‘Mansa Vacha Karmana’ (Thought, Word and Action).

If we want to understand the coordination between the intentions of the present government and the ideals of Dr. Ambedkar, then there is the example of Padma Award distributed by the Government of India. If we understand the social configuration of the recipients of the Padma Award from 2015 till today, then the government has honored those persons from the lowest rung of the society who are engaged in selfless services to the nation.

(The writer is Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, GoI)