Constitution Day - November 26
B.R. Ambedkar’s Warning
On November 25, 1949, B.R. Ambedkar warned that while the Constitution may be good, its success depends on those who implement it.
A bad system with good people can work, but a good system with bad people will fail.
The Constitution’s effectiveness depends on how political leaders and citizens apply it, and how future generations choose to enforce its principles.
Equality and Fraternity
Ambedkar noted that India would face contradictions: political equality (one person, one vote) would exist, but social and economic inequality would persist.
This gap, he warned, would undermine the Constitution’s goals.
Ambedkar stressed that fraternity, or the sense of brotherhood among Indians, was missing, mainly due to the caste system, religious divisions, and lack of national unity.
He believed liberty, equality, and fraternity were interconnected and needed to work together for true social progress.
Progress in Achieving Constitutional Aims
The abolition of untouchability and the introduction of affirmative action through reservations for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) marked progress.
However, social and economic equality remains incomplete, with ongoing debates over caste-based reservations and demands for a caste census.
While there is a stronger sense of nationhood, exemplified by events like national sporting events and collective responses to international conflicts, caste-based politics still hampers true fraternity.
The extension of reservations has entrenched caste identities rather than eradicating them, as Ambedkar had envisioned.
Role of Caste Reservations in Indian Society
Reservations have promoted equality but arguably undermined the goal of fraternity, as they reinforce caste distinctions.
Ambedkar’s vision was to annihilate caste, but caste has been preserved and politicized under the reservation system.
By focusing on caste as a political resource, the reservation system has perpetuated caste identities instead of dissolving them, contradicting Ambedkar’s aim of eliminating caste divisions.
Constitution’s Survival and Current Challenges
Despite initial opposition from some political groups, the Constitution has endured, with 106 amendments. It remains a guiding document for India.
However, there are concerns about the weakening of democratic institutions like Parliament and the judiciary, and pressures on democratic freedoms.
Some observers, like the V-Dem Institute, label India as an "electoral autocracy," reflecting a shift away from the democratic spirit Ambedkar envisioned.
Ambedkar's Call for Responsibility
Ambedkar warned that with independence came great responsibility. India could no longer blame the British for its failures.
As we celebrate 75 years of the Constitution, the challenge is to address the gaps Ambedkar identified and reduce the number of things we need to blame ourselves for.
The Path Ahead
While there has been significant progress, the path to fully achieving the aims of the Constitution remains long.
We must work towards the vision of liberty, equality, and fraternity that Ambedkar outlined, ensuring that the Constitution remains a living document that guides India’s progress.
COMMENTS