Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar–Incomparable Nation Builder: Reappraisal
Dr. Ramjilal, Social Scientist, Former Principal, Dyal Singh College, Karnal (Haryana- India)
e-mail id: [email protected]
(SAMAJ WEEKLY)- At present, from the common people to the politicians, the terms nation-building, country-building, state-building, political integration, etc. are used interchangeably. Nation-building is the process by which the people living in a country live on goodwill, integration, coordination, social, and economic stability, as well as the development and national identity of the people living in a state. In the process of nation-building, national identity is strengthened, abandoning all narrow-mindedness and sectarian caste, religion, region, language, place of birth, etc. Not only this, but also in a democratic system, equality, liberty, fraternity, social, economic, political justice, and the dignity of the individual are the main concerns. The nation should be developed based on the principle of political justice and the dignity of the individual. For nation-building, the people living in a nation should cooperate in the development of the basic infrastructure of the nation without any discrimination. In this way, injustice, majoritarianism, elected dictatorship, and economic and social inequality should be eradicated, and a civil society free from exploitation should be established where the resources useful for the lives of individuals are not controlled by any one particular class—capitalist class or corporate class—but the people have control. If national resources are under the control of the capitalist class or the corporate, due to the centralization of wealth, a huge gap is created between the poor and the rich, and consequently, it inevitably hinders nation-building. For nation-building, the Governance and Administration of the country should be based on constitutional values and provisions. The nation needs to be ruled by the people and for the people, rather than by a particular person or class. The legislature, executive, judiciary, and other institutions in the country must do their work within the constitutional ambit. To prevent authoritarian tendencies, the principle of checks and balances should be implemented between the three organs of the government. Apart from these, there are numerous independent bodies or autonomous institutions in the Constitution – such as the Independent Election Commission, the Comptroller and Auditor General, and the Union Public Service Commission. All autonomous bodies must work as per laws. Otherwise, the public will be dissatisfied and may create obstacles in the way of nation-building. Infrastructure is the cornerstone of nation-building. In the modern era, industries, factories, banking systems, means of transport and communication – roads, railways, aeroplanes), water projects, and other means of irrigation, agricultural development, and health security are required. It is also essential to have hospitals, the best medicines, modern equipment, and highly educated doctors and nurses because only healthy citizens can build a healthy nation. Apart from these, modern and scientific education makes students dedicated citizens of the nation. The bureaucracy, police, and army are also essential to maintain law and order, but the misuse of powers by them can also be harmful to nation-building.
To protect national interests, it is very important to formulate a foreign policy and have continuity in it so that imports and exports can be promoted, and national identity can be created in foreign countries. To conduct fair and free elections in democratic systems, it is absolutely necessary for the Election Commission to be impartial and autonomous, and it is also necessary to prevent EVM irregularities so that the public remains confident in the election process. Apart from all these, the basic needs, especially employment (food), clothing and shelter, health, security, and good education, generate people’s faith, orientation, and loyalty towards the nation and give impetus to the processes of nation-building. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar: Nation-Building is a long process. Every religion, caste, sect, region, and people speaking different languages who have been living in the country for a long time have made an important contribution to the building of the Indian nation. In the process of nation-building, from one end of the nation to the other, until now, the common people—farmers, laborers, men, women, youth, etc.—have made and are making incomparable contributions. But the role of politicians is important in determining the direction, ideals, policies, rules, schemes, laws’s etc. for nation-building. Principles, rules, and ideals have been created by leaders and thinkers. In the modern era, those who created the ideals, policies, and rules related to the process of nation-building in India include, on the one hand, Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru, and the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while on the other hand, there are socialists like Ram Manohar Lohia, Jayaprakash Narayan, and EMS Namboodiripad. The contribution of communists like EMS Namboodiripad(Kerala), Jyoti Basu (West Bengal), Sheikh Abdullah ((Jammu-Kashmir), and South-India and East-North India leaders is also important. But the role of constitutional Maker, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar in the building of the Indian nation. It is incomparable.
Dr. Ambedkar was the creator, architect, and architect of the Indian Constitution. He studied the constitutions of about 60 countries. Dr. Ambedkar is known in the world as the father of the Constitution. At present, in democratic countries, the operation of the government for nation-building, relations between citizens and government, mutual relations between citizens, and relations among the organs of government (the legislature, executive, judiciary, etc.) are described in the rules of the constitution, and on the basis of these, governance is run on the national level. Strengthens the manufacturing process
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar played an unprecedented role in the making of the Constitution as the creator, architect, and patriarch of the Indian Constitution. The process of nation building progresses on the basis of constitutional provisions.
Dr. Ambedkar denied that he had borrowed the trinity-three words – liberty, equality and fraternity-from the French Revolution (5 May 1789 – 9 November 1799). As a matter of fact, he was under the spell of the Buddhism and stated,“the religion of the Buddha gives freedom of thought and freedom of self-development to all”. He vividly stated, “the rise of Buddhism in India was as significant as the French Revolution”. In 1954, on All-India Radio broadcast, he denied that he had borrowed the trinity — liberty, equality ,and fraternity from the French Revolution. He confessed that ,“Positively, my social philosophy may be said to be enshrined in three words- Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. Let no one, however, say that I have borrowed my philosophy from the French Revolution. I have not. My philosophy has roots in religion and not in political science. I have derived them from the teachings of my Master, the Buddha… He gave the highest place to fraternity as the only real safeguard against the denial of liberty or equality or fraternity, which was another name for solidarity or humanity, which was again another name for religion.”It is well known historical fact that on October 14, 1956 (The Vijayadashami Day), he decided to quit Hinduism, and publicly converted to Buddhism along with about 4,65,000 of his followers at Deeksha Bhoomi, Nagpur. This religious conversion took place after about 20 years.
These three words (liberty, equality and fraternity) influenced his political, and social philosophy of life, the Preamble of the Constitution and the Fundamental Rights of the Constitution (third chapter). That is why the fundamental rights of the Constitution include the right to equality (Articles 14 to 18), the right to freedom (Articles 19 to 22), the right against exploitation (Articles 23 and 24), the right to religious freedom (Articles 25 to 28), education and the right to culture (Articles 29 and 30) and the right to constitutional remedies (Article 32). He did not consider personal freedom to be unrestricted. The security, sovereignty and integrity of the country should not be harmed under the right to freedom of expression under Article 19 (2). In short, he did not consider personal freedom to be unimpeded due to public safety and supported preventive detention provisions. Among the fundamental rights, the most importance was given to the right to constitutional remedies (Article 32). Speaking in the Constituent Assembly, he said that Article 32 is the “heart and soul” of the Constitution of India. This is the biggest sacrifice to individual freedom.
Apart from the Preamble of the Constitution and fundamental rights, Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts have a great influence.
The greatest influence of his thinking is seen in those articles which are related to the development of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Castes, children and women. Due to his efforts, forced labor, buying and selling of human beings, employing children up to 14 years of age and women in risky work were declared unconstitutional and illegal in the Constitution of India.
His thoughts have a deep impact on the principle of secularism, universal suffrage in India, the parliamentary system, independence and supremacy of the judiciary, socialist principles, creation of states on the basis of language and the federal system, etc. He strongly advocated one constitution, one flag, one national song, single citizenship, single judiciary, and equal fundamental rights for nation-building and opposed privileges on the basis of caste, gender, religion, region, language, place of birth etc. Dr. Bhimrao This is the basic foundation and essence of Ambedkar’s thinking. All these together are the foundation stones and facilitators for nation building.
People participate in governance for nation building. According to the Constitution, India is a democratic republic and there is indirect democracy. In indirect democracy, public participation is ensured by voting in elections. This is why when the Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, universal suffrage was granted. The ‘value of vote’ of every citizen is equal whether he is poor or rich, or belongs to any caste or religion. Supporting this, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar wrote, the principle of ‘one man, one value’, ‘one man, one vote’ is an important principle for building democracy. The ordinary person can transform himself into a ‘nation builder’ by participating in the electoral process. He accepts it as a form and he develops faith in the nation and ‘this faith is beneficial in the process of nation building’.
For these excellent works, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar (Chairperson of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution) is considered the creator, and architect of the Constitution. Although in the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Rajendra Prasad (President of the Constituent Assembly), Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel and other national Level leaders were also members of the Constitution Assembly but how Dr. Ambedkar was Father of the Indian Constitution?
In this regard, T.T. Krishnamachari, a member of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution, said:
“Speaker Sir, I am one of those people in the House who have listened to Dr. Ambedkar very attentively. I know about the work and enthusiasm that went into the drafting of this Constitution. At the same time, I feel that the important attention that was required for us at this time for the purpose of drafting a Constitution was not given by the Drafting Committee. The House probably has information about seven members. One of your nominees had resigned from the House and was replaced. One had died and there was no replacement. One was in America and his position was not filled, and another person was busy with state affairs, and to that extent, there was a void. One or two people were far away from Delhi and perhaps health reasons did not allow them to participate. So ultimately, what happened was that the entire burden of drafting this Constitution fell on Dr. Ambedkar and I have no doubt that we are grateful to him. “After achieving this task, I believe that it is undoubtedly commendable.”
Women’s Empowerment and Nation-Building
Nation-building will remain incomplete if the status of women is not prosperous. In this regard, in 1927, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar said “I consider the development of women as the measure of the development of any community.” Dr. Bhimrao was a supporter of the broader role of women. She advocated equal participation of women in all spheres of life – social, religious, economic and cultural. He strongly believed that women should get equal rights even in politics. Therefore, Women’s empowerment is essential to improving the status of women. In women’s empowerment, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar opposed the practice of ‘Jogin and Devdasi’ . Because, due to evil practices, girls and women are sexually exploited. But, the sad thing is that despite the constitutional provisions and laws, the Devdasi system and prostitution continue. Political parties did not make the Devdasi system and prostitution an election issue even in the year 2024, whereas, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar opposed this evil practice about 100 years ago.
It is clearly stated in the Indian Constitution that the state will make its own policies and proper arrangements for employment and means of livelihood for all women and men. The state will also make arrangements for equal pay for equal work so that there is no discrimination and exploitation on the basis of gender. Exploitation of persons is strictly prohibited in Articles 23 and 24 of the Third Chapter of the Constitution related to fundamental rights. Buying and selling of human beings is prohibited, and selling and buying of women is immoral and prohibited by the Constitution. According to law, the trafficking of women is a punishable offence. She fought tirelessly to end the evils of child labour and women’s labour exploitation. Women and children cannot be employed in hazardous work and forced labor is banned. According to Article 39, all citizens, including men and women, have an equal right to adequate means of livelihood. Article 42 of the Constitution directs the state to provide just and humane conditions of work and maternity facilities for women. Protecting the dignity of women is a fundamental duty of every Indian citizen (Article 51).
Apart from the Preamble of the Constitution of India, women’s rights are described in the Fundamental Rights (Chapter 3), Directive Principles of State Policy (Chapter 4) and other provisions. The main articles related to the empowerment of women in the Indian Constitution are 14,15,15(a),15(2),15(3),15(4),16(1),16(2),17,23 and 24,29,and 30,36(D),39,39(A),42,51(A)(C),243D(3),243T(3) and 243T(4). According to Articles 243D, 243D(3), 243T(3) and 243T(4) of the Constitution, there is reservation of seats for women in Panchayati Raj institutions – Gram Panchayats, Block Panchayats and District Councils and urban local self-government bodies. Municipality, Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation. It can be highlighted that till now 50% seats have been reserved for women in Panchayati Raj institutions of 21 states and Urban Local Self institutions of only 10 states. In the Constitution One Hundred and Twenty-eighth (Amendment) Act, 2023, provision has been made for 33% reservation for women in the elections of State Assemblies and Lok Sabha, but this Amendment Act has not yet been implemented. The number of women in India is approximately 50% of the total population.
Women’s participation in social, economic and political fields will be very useful for nation-building. But in the present society, the patriarchal system, anti-women’s mentality, traditional practices etc. create obstacles to women’s development and women’s empowerment. Therefore, it is essential to change the anti-women mentality prevalent in society so that women can contribute to nation-building.
The caste, class, and religion intersect with gender to create unique challenges for women from different backgrounds. Additionally, the author could discuss the role of men in supporting women’s empowerment and how gender norms and expectations affect men’s attitudes towards women’s rights
Reservation and nation-building
Despite the opposition to a reservation in the Indian Constituent Assembly, it goes to the credit of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar that, due to his efforts, a provision for positive reservation for educationally and economically backward classes has been made in the Indian Constitution. Under Articles 15 (4) and 16 (4) of the Constitution of India, the Central and State Governments have been empowered to implement the provision of reservations. In 1954, the Ministry of Education of the Central Government suggested that 20% of seats should be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in educational institutions, and a provision should be made for 5% relaxation in the minimum qualifying marks for admission. But 28 years later, in 1982, the Central Government said that 15 per cent and 7.5 per cent places (seats) in the public sector and government-aided educational institutions should be reserved for candidates from SC and ST categories respectively.
After about 7 years, the provision of reservations in aided educational institutions, administrative services and public equipment was made by Prime Minister VP Singh of the National Front alliance. On 7 August 1989, a notification was issued to implement the Mandal Commission report (31 December 1980). According to this notification, 27% of reservations were implemented for the backward classes in education, government jobs and public facilities. According to the 1931 census, the population of the backward classes was 52% of the total population of India. After this notification, especially in north India, there were protests by the students and upper castes. According to the 77th Amendment Act of the Constitution, 1995, there is a provision for reservations in promotion for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
According to the 103rd Amendment Act 2019 of the Indian Constitution, reservations were made for Economically Backward People (EWS) in public jobs and educational institutions. Approximately 60% of seats are reserved for various categories such as SC, ST, OBC and EWS in government jobs and higher education institutions. Additionally, 3% of seats are reserved for persons with disabilities in all categories.
At present, the number of Scheduled Castes is 1108 and Scheduled Tribes is 730. According to the Census 2011, the total number of backward classes is 5013, as reported by the Daily Tribune (Chandigarh) on February 27, 2021. As per the Constitution (Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2024 and the Constitution (Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes) Orders (Amendment) Bill, 2024, three ethnic groups (Bondo Porja, Khond Porja, Parangiperja) in Andhra Pradesh and four in Odisha are being added to the list of Scheduled Tribes. Recently, after 76 years of independence, 75 Primitive Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) from the Andaman Islands have been added to the scheduled list. However, the names of 10 such PVTGs of Andaman Islands were not added to the list of Scheduled Tribes.
Reservations have been provided for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, and Primitive Tribes. This has enabled individuals from these communities to participate in education and administrative services. Despite criticism from the so-called upper castes, we firmly believe that reservations are necessary to provide equal opportunities for the majority of the Indian population who are deprived of education and job opportunities and live on the fringes of society. The government is committed to influencing policymaking processes to ensure that these castes are given their due and can contribute to the nation-building process and build a more inclusive and just society.
Establishment of River Valley Authority: Vision of Projects
Water management and power generation projects play a vital role in nation-building. The Bhakra Dam project in North-West India, drafted by Rahbar-e-Azam Deenbandhu Sir Chhotu Ram (24 November 1881 – 9 January 1945), and the national water management and river valley plans at the central level, established through the vision of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, are two such examples.
Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal praised Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar and wrote:
“As a labour member in Viceroy’s Executive Council from 1942 to 1946, he evolved numerous policies in the water, power, and labour welfare sector in the Nation’s best interest. His farsightedness helped in establishing Central Water Commission in the form of The Central Waterways, Irrigation and Navigation Commission (CWINC), Central Technical Power Board, Integrated water resources Management through establishing river valley authority which actively considered projects like the Damodar River Valley Project, the Sone River Valley Project the Mahanadi (Hirakud Project), the Kosi and others on river Chambal and rivers of the Deccan region. The Inter-State water dispute Act, 1956, and the River Board Act, 1956 are his well thought out vision’’.
Let’s recognize and appreciate the tremendous efforts and contributions of these great leaders who have shaped our nation’s growth. It is through their vision and foresight that we can enjoy the benefits of these projects today.
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar: Challenges of Nation-Building
According to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the following are the challenges in nation-building.
In his historic speech, the last meeting of the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, Dr Ambedkar described three challenges – ‘social inequality,’ ‘devotion or hero-worship in politics’ and ‘Methods of bloody revolution, civil disobedience, non-cooperation and Satyagraha. These challenges are described as follows:
First, discrimination and inequality:
In the process of Indian democracy and nation-building, the discrimination and inequality prevailing in society is the most important challenge. Describing this, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar aptly said:
‘Political democracy cannot be established unless there is social democracy at its core, that is, equality, liberty and fraternity in the principles of life. Without equality, freedom will establish the dominance of a handful of people over the majority. Without fraternity, freedom and equality would not seem like natural things. Discrimination and inequality should be removed. If this is not done, then those who will be victims of discrimination will destroy the democracy which this Constituent Assembly has prepared to establish the need to establish permanent democracy only by removing social discrimination and inequality. The Constitution can also be protected. As a result, the process of national building continues by establishing social democracy and if this does not happen then this process will actually be hindered.’’
Second, Bhakti or hero- worship in politics is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar had cautioned that ‘devotion or hero-worship in politics’ is a significant challenge in building democracy and ultimately a sure path to dictatorship. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar warned :
“There is nothing wrong in being grateful to great men who have rendered life-long services to the country. But there are limits to gratefulness, as has been well said by the Irish Patriot Daniel O’Connell, no man can be grateful at the cost of his honour, no woman can be grateful at the cost of her chastity and no nation can be grateful at the cost of its liberty.
This caution is far more necessary in the case of India than in the case of any other country. For in India, Bhakti or what may be called the path of devotion or hero-worship, plays a part in its politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other country in the world. Bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul. But in politics, Bhakti or hero- worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship”.
This warning seems to be appropriate in the present context of India because the entire nation revolves around one person in the same way as the Earth revolves around the Sun. In such a situation, all the other leaders and workers become dwarfs. As a result, blind devotion is created. In the first half of the 20th century, Hitler in Germany and Mussolini in Italy became dictators. As a result, individual worship, an ‘undeclared emergency’ or ‘declared emergency’ arises. A situation where democracy exists in the provisions of the Constitution but in practice is dictatorship as was present in the National Emergency (1975-1977). Opposition political parties and some commentators say that the present Amrit Kaal is a period of so-called ‘undeclared emergency’. Therefore, personality worship is fatal and dangerous from the point of view of the Constitution, constitutionalism, democracy and national building.
Fourth, casteism and caste system
According to the Chaturvarniya system, there are four varnas – Brahmin, Kshatriya, Vaishya and Shudra. Among these four varnas, Brahmin has been placed at the best position and Shudra has been placed at the lowest position. Dr. Ambedkar was a staunch opponent of Manuwadi and Brahminist Indian social system.
Dr. Ambedkar wrote very clearly regarding ‘Hindu Samaj’ in the editorial (31 January 1920) of his first Marathi fortnightly newspaper Mooknayak (“The Leader of Voiceless”):
‘Hindu society is a tower and each caste is one floor (caste) of this tower. The thing to note is that there are no stairs in this tower, there is no way to go from one floor (caste) to another. Dies in Jati). No matter how worthy a person from the lower level (caste) is, it is not possible for him to enter the upper level (caste), and no matter how worthless a person from the upper level (caste) is, he can be pushed to the lower level (caste). No one has the courage.
Dr. Ambedkar considered this Chaturvarna system to be destructive, violent, exploitative and extremely dangerous. He said that due to this system, conservatism, superstition and such traditions were developed which resulted in exploitation of the working class. The protectors of this system have destroyed humanity by exploiting the common man, especially the Dalit class, and enslaved people. The enslaved people kept getting their heads cut off with their own weapons and kept on doing slavery and kept on growing crops by ploughing and they kept on dying of hunger. This system never gave time to convert ploughshares into swords. They did not have any weapons or organisations. This system reduced Dalits and weak people to dead bodies and deprived them of the power to make a revolution. As a result, such a social revolution never took place in India like it did in European countries. Dr. Ambedkar believed that unless there is a social revolution in India, despite many laws and provisions of the Constitution, exploitation will not end and the Dalits and the working class (proletarian class) will continue to be exploited. In short, the Dalits and the exploited class, that is, the working class, was exploited, is happening and will continue to happen.
According to Dr. Ambedkar, ‘Untouchability is worse than slavery’. Untouchability arising due to casteism and caste system is considered inhuman, unscientific, immoral, divisive and narrow.
Dr. Ambedkar considered casteism based on the Chaturvarna system as harmful in the path of national unity, national integration, nation- building and national development. Casteism based on the caste system is a big obstacle in the integration of Indian society. National unity and integrity depend on the unity and integrity of the society. When a society is divided into different castes based on hierarchy, unity can never be established in that society. Casteism is considered a major obstacle in the economic, social and political development of India. When the society is divided based on high and low, then in such a situation, ‘Sabka development, sabka vishwas, sabka support’ or “individual self-reliance” is an imagination. Dr. Ambedkar, while opposing casteism and the Chaturvarna system, said in clear words that this system has neither made anyone superior nor is capable of making anyone superior. Economic ability does not come from caste. Casteism has done one thing, it has divided the Hindus and corrupted them. In short, according to the thinking of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, casteism based on the Chaturvarna system is the biggest obstacle in nation-building.
Fifth : Challenge of hunger:
Hunger is also an important obstacle in the process of nation-building. If a large section of the people in the nation is suffering from hunger, then there is a need for reforms in the policies of nation-building. According to the Global Hunger Report 2020, India was ranked 94th in the list of 117 countries. According to the Global Hunger Index 2021, India is ranked 101st on the list of 116 countries. In 2022, India’s rank was 107th in the list of 121 countries. India’s neighbouring countries Pakistan (102nd), Bangladesh (81st), Nepal (69th) and Sri Lanka (60th) are ranked in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) in 2023. India slipped four places from its 107th position in 2022 to 2023.
According to the Government of India, more than 80 crore people are given ration by the government. All of them have been included in the BPL category by the Government of India. If seen from this perspective, poverty has increased in India. According to the 2021 report, more than 33 lakh children in India are malnourished. Due to hunger, malnutrition, diseases, lack of health services and poverty, the life expectancy of a Dalit woman is 15 years less than that of a general-category woman. From this, it can be inferred that there were no good days for women, especially Dalit women, nor are there, nor are there any chances of them coming shortly. While doing agricultural work in the fields, women develop stiffness in their nerves and suffer from many diseases. The number of women who have miscarriages as a result of water on their feet and sunlight on their heads while transplanting paddy has not been estimated to date. The matter is not limited to this only, sanitation workers suffer from many diseases. This is the reason that the average age of sanitation workers is about 60 years.
Sixth: Economic inequality: Establishment of ‘Billionaire Raj’ for the first time in 100 years
Social, economic and political equality has been emphasised in the Constitution of India and Ambedkarism. Democracy and nation-building are hindered by economic inequality in the capitalist and corporatist systems. The Nobel Prize winner Dr. Amritya Sen has considered Dr.Ambedkar as the ‘Father of Economics.’ Dr. According to Bhimrao Ambedkar, economic policies should be people-centric. If we talk about economic equality, it seems to be a dream. According to the data of the World Inequality Report, in the year 2022-23, the income of the richest 1% of India’s population will increase to 22.6% and their share of wealth will increase to 40.1%. % has been. This is the first time in 100 years that there has been such an increase. Similarly, according to Oxfam India’s estimate of 2023, only 21 biggest billionaires of India have more wealth than the wealth of 70 crore people in the country. The top 10% of India has the wealth of the country. own 77% of the wealth and the bottom 50% own only 30% of the nation’s wealth.
NITI Aayog of India itself has admitted that 32% of the people of India are living in nutritional deficiency 44% of the families do not have good cooking fuel, 30% lack proper sanitation and 41% do not have adequate housing. There is continuous promotion of creating a third-world economy with a GDP of 5 trillion dollars.
For the first time in 100 years, inequality has increased so much. The basic reason for this ever-increasing economic inequality is that the policies of liberalisation, privatisation and globalisation were adopted by the Indian government after 1991. As a result of these policies, according to the report, for the first time in 100 years, the number of billionaires in India has increased. According to world-famous economists Nitin Kumar Bharti, Lucas Chancellor, Thomas Piketty, and Anmol Somanchi, in India in 2004, the wealth of 1% of the rich was 27% and income was 18%. In 2014, wealth increased to 33% and income to 21%. In 2023 Assets increased by 40.1% and income by 22.6%. Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar has described capitalism as a threat to democracy. In his own words, “If the reins of democracy go into the hands of the capitalists, then other subjects will have to live in slavery.”
In his own words, “If the reins of democracy go into the hands of the capitalists, then other people have to live in slavery.” As an alternative to the capitalist system, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s thoughts almost come close to Marxist thinking. Ambedkar wrote, ‘Until a classless society is established, freedom has no importance.’
Seventh: Nation- building and unemployment: Continued serious situation:
The situation of unemployment in India is becoming increasingly serious. The unemployment rate in India averaged 8.18 per cent from 2018 to 2024, reaching a high of 23.50 per cent and a record low of 6.40 per cent in April 2020. In December 2021, 53 million (5.3 crores) were unemployed. Of these, 35 million (3.5 crores) people are in immediate need of employment. Of these, there are 8 million women. If India wants to reach the employment rate standard, it will have to employ 187.5 million people. Only then will good days come for the people. But this seems to be only a dream only.
The picture of unemployment under Modi rule emerging from the latest data from ILO has worried the people and has created deep doubts in their minds about the ability of this government to generate employment.
According to the ILO report, the unemployment rate among the uneducated is 3.4% while the unemployment rate among the educated is 9 times higher than that at 29.1%. 83% of the total unemployed in India are unemployed youth. The number of educated youth among these unemployed people, which was 35.2% in 2000, has increased to 65.7% today. The unemployment rate among the youth of 20 to 24 years in the country is 44.49% that is, almost half of the youth are unemployed. According to economist Kaushik Basu (former Chief Economic Advisor (CEA) to the Government of India) based on the International Labor Organization (ILO) and Institute of Human Development (IHD), India Employment Report 2024, there is a huge increase in unemployment in India. The youth unemployment rate in India is much higher than the global average rate. Between 2020 and 2022, the educated unemployment rate in the age group of 15-29 has increased from 54.2% to 65.7%. The unemployment rate in India averaged 8.18 per cent from 2018 to 2024, reaching a high of 23.50 per cent in April 2020 and a record low of 6.40 per cent. …what is doing is the erosion of brotherhood and trust.”
The role of youth is important in nation-building. But, if the unemployed youth of the nation becomes directionless, he gets involved in anti-national and social activities and unrest spreads in the society. As a result, obstacles arise in the process of nation building. The situation of serious unemployment is not beneficial for the nation. But in the current elections (2024), political parties give assurances for the solution of unemployment but they do not have a detailed plan as to how the solution will be achieved
Eighth: Communalism and Communal Violence: Fatal for Nation-Building
Secularism has a special place in the Constitution of India and Ambedkarism. Hindu Raj and Hindu Rashtra are harmful and fatal for secularism and nation-building. After the establishment of the Bharatiya Janata Party-led coalition government in 2014, secularism gradually weakened. The close relations between religion and politics are being established by the ruling class to exploit the sentiments and beliefs of a large section of society. Efforts are being made by the majority class to spread hostility and hatred against the minority classes and they are moving towards the establishment of Hindu -Rashtra.
Inauguration of Prime Minister Ram Temple in Ayodhya, Temple-Mosque dispute in Mathura, Violation of Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act 1991 by the alliance of administration-police-priest-ruling-politicians, If Citizenship Amendment Act was passed in December 2019, he would be disqualified from the elections. Before 11 January 2024, by issuing a notification and implementing it after 5 years, promoting the creation of the National Population Register, abolishing the statehood of Jammu and Kashmir by passing Section 370 and Section 35 (A), Uniform Civil Code by the Government of Uttarakhand. Hindu vs Muslim, Hindu vs Christian Kuki vs Meitei (ethnic division), etc. are main challenges to secularism.
The partition of India based on religion in 1947 proved fatal for nation-building. Despite this, the makers of the Indian Constitution established a secular state to build the Indian nation. After the independence of the country, communalism gradually started increasing in the 1960s. In the present century, whether it is the Congress-led UPA government under the leadership of Dr. Manmohan Singh or the BJP-led NDA government under the leadership of Narendra Modi, the communal riots have not stopped. After the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014, the propagation of the theory of Hindu Raj and Hindu Rashtra is increasing.
In the name of faith, communal poison has gradually entered society in such a way that it has increased communal tension, communal violence and communal riots, which is harmful and fatal for the Constitution, secularism and nation-building. The reality is that the Union Minister of State for Home, Nityanand Rai, while answering the question of Congress MP Shashi Tharoor in the Rajya Sabha on December 7, 2022, said that about 2900 communal incidents took place during the 5 years from 2017 to 2021. Citing National Crime Records Bureau data, Rai said a total of 378 cases of communal or religious riots were registered in 2021, 857 in 2020, 438 in 2019, 512 in 2018 and 723 in 2017.About 4000(3,399) cases of communal or religious riots in India during the period 2016-2020. Citing the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) report, Minister of State Nityanand Rai said 857 communal or religious riot cases were registered in 2020, 438 cases were reported in 2019, 512 in 2018, 723 in 2017 and 869 in 2016,272 incidents of communal violence were registered in the year 2022. According to the United Christian Forum, 525 cases were registered in police stations in the year 2023.
According to Amnesty International, 617 minority groups were killed in 128 actions using bulldozers (JCBs) in five states of India – Assam, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi – extra-judicial or over the law and disregarding the rules, between April and June 2022. People were affected. BJP spokesperson GVL Narasimha Rao in April 2022 (in a now-deleted ex-post) had referred to JCB as the “Jihadi Control Board”.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court had said in the wake of the demolition in the Nuh area of Haryana, “The issue also arises whether buildings belonging to a particular community are being demolished in the garb of law and order problem and an exercise of ethnic cleansing by the State.” It’s being done.” Communal riots, communal violence and bulldozer politics are completely contrary to Indian secularism, justice, communal harmony, constitutionalism and Ambedkarism. Due to this, the process of Indian integration and nation-building is hindered.
After the Bharatiya Janata Party came to power in 2014, in the name of cow protection, anti-social elements of the Right-wing ideology against Muslims turned democracy into ‘mobocracy’ and justice in to ‘mob justice’. According to Shoaib Daniel, “The ruling party leaders have supported violence in the name of cow protection.”
According to Rajendra Sharma, editor of the weekly magazine Lok Lehar:
“Between 2014 and August 2022, 206 cases of violence in the name of cows were registered, affecting 850 people. Dalits and Christians were also among their victims, but 86 per cent were Muslims. 97 per cent of such incidents happened only after Modi’s rule came to power. This trend, which started with the mob killings of Pehlu Khan in the name of cow smuggling and Akhlaq in the name of keeping beef at home, not only continued but also continues.”
Ninth: Placing Creed over Nation: A Great Challenge
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a prominent Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer, used historical events to draw attention to the challenge of unity and cooperation among Indians in their struggle for independence. He cited the invasion of Sind by Mohammed-Bin-Kasim, which marked the beginning of Muslim rule in India, and the invasion by Mohammad Ghori to fight against Prithviraj Chauhan, a Hindu king who resisted Muslim rule. Dr. Ambedkar also highlighted the disunity among Indians in their fight against British colonial rule in 1857, which ultimately led to their defeat. His insightful remarks underscored the need for Indians to come together and work towards a common goal of achieving freedom and independence. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar warned:
“…not only India has once before lost her independence, but she lost it by the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people…Will history repeat itself? It is this thought that fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realisation of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes , and creeds we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country?
I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.”
Tenth, Theory of Hindu Raj and Hindu Rashtra: Against Indian Constitution, democracy, and nation- building
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar called the Hindu Raj and Hindu Rashtra against the Indian Constitution, democracy, and nation-building. While Explaining its danger in his book ”Thoughts on Pakistan”, he wrote that, If Hindu Raj becomes a reality, It will undoubtedly be the greatest misfortune for this country. Whatever Hindus may say, Hinduism is a threat to liberty, equality and fraternity. This is incompatible with democracy. Hindu Raj must be prevented from being established at any cost.”
He further writes, “There is no doubt that caste is essentially the soul of Hindus. But Hindus have polluted the entire environment and Sikhs, Muslims and Christians are all suffering from it.” According to Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, Hindu religious political ideology is completely anti-democratic. It is similar to Fascism or Nazism. In his own words:
“Hinduism is a political ideology which is completely anti-democratic and whose character is similar to that of fascism or Nazi ideology. If Hinduism is given free rein – and this is what it means for Hindus to be in majority – then it will not allow those who are not Hindus or are against Hinduism to progress. This is not the view of Muslims alone. This is also the viewpoint of the oppressed classes and non-Brahmins.”
Giving a historical example in the Constituent Assembly, he said that “betrayal by insiders is our old enemy, while our new enemy is caste and religion. If people will not put the nation above their creed and caste, our freedom will be lost again.”
This view has been supported by foreign scholars, thinkers and writers including Huston Smith, H.G.Wells(1846-1946), Albert Einstien(1879-1955), Leo Tolstoy Leo Tolstoy and Martin Luther King, Junior(1919-1968).
According to American thinker and writer Huston Smith (1919-2016), ‘India’s biggest weakness remains its people, who are writing the misfortune of their country by dividing among themselves in the name of religion and caste.’
According to British historian Herbert George Wells, ‘’India is a very talented country but a large section of the people there are equally stupid and this section is harming their own country by making people fight among themselves in the name of caste and religion’’.
According to Russian philosopher and writer Leo Tolstoy,
‘If you want to destroy a country, make its people fight among themselves in the name of religion, that country will automatically be destroyed’.
In essence, we believe that to uphold the constitution, secularism, democracy, and nation-building, the public needs to be aware of Hindu nationalism and the concept of the Hindu Raj. For of nation-building, people from different castes, religions, cultures, sub-cultures, geographical areas, and languages in India should work together. Goodwill among Indians is crucial. Given India’s vastness and diversity, the process of nation-building can be strengthened by promoting unity in diversity. Each person should pledge to be an Indian first and foremost, with no place for religion or caste. We should take pride in being Indian and strive to become better human beings. Sahir Ludhianvi’s poetry in the film ‘Dhool Ka Phool’ (1959), sung by Mohammed Rafi, is particularly relevant for promoting brotherhood, unity in diversity, harmony, and peace for nation-building.
‘तू हिन्दू बनेगा न मुसलमान बनेगा
इंसान की औलाद है इंसान बनेगा.’
(You will neither become a Hindu or a Muslim.
You are the child of a human being and will become a human being.)
To achieve the ideas and ideals of Dr. B.R Ambedkar, the nation needs to address various issues such as poverty, unemployment, hunger, exploitation of the working class, discriminatory treatment of Dalits, and increasing crimes against minorities and women. Nation-building requires tackling these problems to create a fair and just society.
(Special Note – The author is the editor of (Communal Problem in India: A Symposium (Karnal: Dyal Singh College, January 1988 —This book was distributed free of cost in India and foreign embassies in India). I express my gratitude to Dr Sushil Kumar, Principal, Baba Fateh Singh Ji Government College, Assandh.)
For Further study:
> >https://carnegieendowment.org/2015/12/26/which-ambedkar-pub-62365
>https://www.thequint.com/news/india/br-ambedkar-conversion-to-buddhism
>Dr.Ramjilal,https://samajweekly.com/objectives-of-the-constitution-of-india/20/02/2023
.>Dr. Ramjilal,” Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s Vision towards Women Empowerment”/https://samajweekly.com/dr-bhimrao-ambedkars-vision-towards-women-empowerment/13/03/2023
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nari_Shakti_Vandan_Adhiniyam
>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reservation_in_India
>Dr.Ramjilal,’ https://samajweekly.com/regarding-unreserving-reserved-seats/
>https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/abs/10.1177/2348448918759875?journalCode=sipa
>https://nagalandpost.com/index.php/20204/13/dr-bhim-rao-ambedkar-a-matchless-nation-builder/
>(Dr.Ramjilal,https://samajweekly.com/dr-bhimrao-ambedkar-in-the-context-of-deprived-schedule
>Dr. Ramjilal, Global Hunger Index Report 2023: A Critical Assessment/https://samajweekly.com/global-hunger-index-report-2023/
>https://www.dainiktribuneonline.com/news/nation/one-percent-rich-have-40-wealth/
>https://www.cnbc.com/2024/04/23/india-elections-opposition-blames-modis-bjp-for-high-jobless-rate
>.html#:~:text=Youth%20unemployment%2C%
>https://indianexpress.com/article/india/2900-communal-violence-cases-india-5-years-govt-8311709/
>Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Thoughts on Pakistan, Writings and Speeches, Volume-8, Page-358
>https://www.newsclick.in/hindu-rashtra-means-end-babasahebs-dreams)
>https://mediavigil.com/op-ed/document/ambedkar-was-against-hindu-rashtra/
>Source material on Dr. Ambedkar, Volume 1, Maharashtra Government Publication, page 241,)
