Pradeep Ramteke
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the architect of India, was aware that in elections, votes could be traded, and anti-people, capitalist, and Manuvadi-minded politicians could buy voters’ votes by offering temptations and using the power of money, and that voters could fall prey to these temptations and sell their votes.
Therefore, he gave a serious warning to Indian voters, considering the potential dangers in a democracy, and said, “The right to vote has been given to you to shape your own present and future destiny…”
Therefore, “Protect your vote like your wife and children,” “Protect it like yourself.” If someone attacks your wife and children or tarnishes their character, you come forward to protect them, you fight, and you protect your wife and children, because your character and future are intertwined with the character of your wife and children.
Similarly, if something happens to the husband and father, if their health deteriorates, the wife and children take care of them and yearn for the husband’s and father’s good health.
Similarly, the present and future destiny of the citizens of India (men/women) depends on their votes. If the present and future of the citizens of Maharashtra and India depend on their votes, then should Indian voters endanger their future and present destiny and their democratic rights by selling their votes? Voters should seriously consider this question. Therefore, it is evident how important and powerful the right to vote is, which the epoch-making Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar secured for the citizens of India through relentless struggle.
“Do not sell your vote” means “do not sell your ballot.” The Indian Constitution appeals to Indian voters to participate in democracy by using their vote wisely, instead of selling it for money or other temptations.
In the current political climate, former Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, Vanchit’s leader Adv. Prakash Ambedkar, MNS chief Raj Thackeray, and BSP office-bearers are appealing to people, saying, “Do not sell your life for packets of money, do not shirk your duty.”
Because of this, to safeguard the rights of all Indians, the importance of democracy and the voters’ vote has now gradually become clear to the heads of some political and social organizations and many voters.
Casting a vote is the most important right of voters in a democracy, and selling it means losing this right.
Similarly, selling one’s vote means encouraging corruption, which can lead to the wrong people coming to power. Wrong rulers can make wrong decisions, support a corrupt system, and openly engage in corruption. Saying ‘Do not sell your vote’ means reminding voters of their duty and responsibility so that they can vote thoughtfully. In the current municipal elections (e.g., Mumbai), voters are being motivated to vote through slogans like “Vote, the Constitution says so!”, which reinforces the idea of “Don’t sell your vote.”
“Don’t sell your vote” is an important message for voters to preserve the sanctity of their vote and to participate actively and honestly in the election.
According to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, the election process exists so that the majority does not oppress the minority in a democracy, and so that voters can vote fearlessly, and also to prevent voters from engaging in personality cults.
The thoughts of the visionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar are based on freedom, equality, fraternity, and justice. He also expressed significant views on education, agriculture, economics, and women’s rights, which include concepts such as ‘education is the milk of a tigress’ and ‘nationalization of agriculture’.
While expressing his views on voting and democracy, he stated that the minority should be protected, and the majority should not oppress the minority in a democracy.
He introduced the system of secret ballot so that voters could vote impartially and in a fear-free environment.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar told the voters and citizens of this country to avoid personality cults, emphasizing that the nation is greater than any individual, and that there should be no personality cults in a democracy.
Furthermore, while commenting on education and society, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar emphatically stated that education is power. Therefore, education is extremely important; it is the milk of a tigress. He urged that the majority of women and men from the Bahujan community in the country should not allow the doors of education to be closed in the future under any circumstances.
Similarly, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also told the citizens of India not to forget history. He firmly stated that it is important to learn from past mistakes and move forward. It happened.
Economy and Agriculture…
They put forward the concept of nationalizing agriculture, which focused on cropping patterns, water management, and increasing production.
He had suggested that the government should bear the expenses required for agriculture while providing assistance to farmers.
Women’s Rights…
He did great work to liberate women from oppressive customs and traditions.
He also told Indian citizens that it is necessary to be self-reliant by believing in oneself and that it is important to have faith in one’s own abilities. He urged them to always fight for their rights.
It is clear that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s thoughts were not limited to just voting, but were about creating a just, egalitarian, and democratic society based on democratic values.
In the current situation, the leaders of political parties with a capitalist ideology accept enormous sums of money from capitalists during general elections, distribute it to voters, get elected, and then make decisions that are entirely in the interest of the capitalists.
However, these same elected representatives trample upon and endanger the rights of the voters/men and women, completely neglecting their interests, progress, protection, basic needs, and rights. They turn their backs on their children’s education and employment and even resort to threats. It would be better if the voters realize this in time!
