Pradeep Ramteke
Editor-in-Chief
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar held the view that Indian citizens should establish such a standing within their chosen fields that, within that specific domain, they become irreplaceable. Our work and skills should be of such caliber that no one else can ever fill the void we leave behind.
In precisely this manner, within the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar demonstrated the brilliance of his work within a mere few days. It became evident to everyone that there was no alternative to Ambedkar’s contribution within the Assembly; consequently, the Congress party deemed it absolutely imperative to retain the globally acclaimed and profound scholar, Dr. Babasaheb, within the Constituent Assembly.
On August 30, 1947, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was elected as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
In a speech delivered before the Constituent Assembly on December 17, 1946—addressing the situation in India, national integration, and India’s standing in the world—Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar stated: “I am fully conscious of the fact that, today, we stand divided along social, political, and economic lines. Furthermore, we constitute a collective of warring camps, pitted against one another.” “Even though all this may be true, I am fully convinced that if favorable times and circumstances are created, no power in the world will be able to prevent this country from uniting.”
The Constituent Assembly had found the architect of the Constitution in the person of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. The Drafting Committee had secured an individual who possessed a precise understanding of the nation’s circumstances and who could propose a comprehensive framework tailored to those realities. Upon hearing his sincere and statesmanlike address, the entire Assembly was deeply moved. For a considerable time thereafter, his speech continued to be lauded amidst thunderous applause.
Speaking on the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity—which the great visionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar sowed in this nation through the Constitution—he observed: “These three concepts are inextricably linked. You cannot attain one while excluding the others.”
Addressing the potential social and political contradictions that might arise in independent India following the implementation of the Constitution, he stated: “If we continue to deny equality in our social life for too long, we will inevitably jeopardize our political democracy.”
According to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar—the architect of modern India—the Constitution provides the nation with a framework and lays down guiding principles. However, the ultimate fate of the Constitution depends entirely on the path chosen by the people who are entrusted with operating this machinery. The great philosopher Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar expressed his concern regarding the ideologies of political parties even back then. He stated, “If political parties prioritize their own ideologies over the nation, our freedom will inevitably be imperiled once again—and may perhaps be lost forever.”
He further added, “Indian citizens and those in power must resolve to defend our freedom until the very last drop of their blood.”
Issuing a stern warning, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar addressed both the citizens and the ruling authorities, stating, “Devotion in the realm of religion may serve as a path to the salvation of the soul; however, in politics, devotion—or the cult of personality—proves to be a sure-fire route to degradation and, ultimately, to dictatorship.”
Upon reading these points from the Constituent Assembly speeches of the Constitution’s architect, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, it becomes evident that his vision for the nation was all-encompassing—rooted in national integration, the national interest, and the preservation of human values. Furthermore, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar—a true epoch-maker—clearly articulated even then that if, in the future, political parties were to prioritize their own partisan stances, ideologies, and interests over the nation itself, the country’s freedom would once again be placed in jeopardy.
Moreover, the ‘Jewel of the World,’ Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, further observed that “devotion to a political leader—or the cult of personality—will inevitably steer the entire nation toward dictatorship.” As we observe the current state of our nation today, one cannot help but be struck by the profound foresight of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.
Whenever any political party or leader fosters an atmosphere of excessive personality worship within the country, the nation is invariably seen drifting toward dictatorship. This very phenomenon has been witnessed in numerous nations across the globe; it is precisely for this reason that Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar issued this cautionary warning at the very moment he entrusted the Constitution to the nation. It is imperative that all Indians take heed of this message. Today, as thousands of people belonging to diverse castes, religions, sects, languages, customs, and traditions coexist and progress together as a unified nation within India, it becomes evident that this country’s Constitution—and its laws—are truly magnificent. For the progress that the nation has achieved since 1950 has been realized solely on the strength of its Constitution.
Considering the significance and inherent flexibility of the Constitution, it is worth emphasizing that the true greatness of the Indian Constitution lies in the fact that it grants every individual in this country the right to question the Constitution itself. It empowers every citizen to critically examine the Constitution. Furthermore, it grants every individual the right to pursue their own educational, economic, and social advancement; it accords every adult citizen the right to vote; and, simultaneously, it grants the right to contest elections—ranging from the Gram Panchayat level all the way up to the Presidency—and to attain such offices through democratic means.
In the truest sense, the Preamble to the Indian Constitution stands as a manifesto for human liberation.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar toiled day and night to craft a comprehensive Constitution—one that bestows upon every human being the rights and dignity to live with self-respect, encompassing social, economic, and political justice; liberty of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship; as well as the core principles of liberty, equality, fraternity, and justice.
The proceedings of the Constituent Assembly spanned precisely two years, eleven months, and eighteen days. However, while these days were calculated merely in terms of parliamentary working hours, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar—the architect of the Constitution—had, during this entire period, dedicated himself ceaselessly and round-the-clock to the monumental task of drafting the Constitution.
Thus, disregarding his own health and even risking his very life, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar shouldered the immense responsibility of creating the Constitution and bestowed upon India the greatest and finest Constitution in the world.
Had Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar—the Architect of the Constitution—not been there…
Even today, the mere thought of this sends shivers down one’s spine. A storm of thoughts and questions rages within the mind and intellect. Who would have delivered justice to these ‘Untouchables’ who had been oppressed for generations? Who, over the years—and indeed, who even today—would have truly understood the anguish and suffering of these downtrodden and destitute people? Who would have ever imagined that the keys to power should be placed in the hands of those who lived beyond the village boundaries? And who would have ever conceived that the one who performed menial labor yesterday could become a ‘Sahib’ or a District Collector tomorrow? Who, by granting them rights, would have opened the doors to the Presidency for a woman—for a mother, for a sister? And how else could the children from the outskirts of the village have ever risen to become Ministers, Members of the Legislative Assembly, or Members of Parliament?
Had Bodhisattva Dr. Babasaheb not been present, the true ‘Bharat’ (the real India) would never have been visible within ‘India’ (the modern nation-state); and those who once dared not even cross the boundaries of their own villages would certainly not be traveling across the globe today. Had the sociologist Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar not served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, who would have urged the tribal communities, “O Tribals, head towards the cities!”? Who would have given birth to the OBC category? And who would have championed the cause of the workers? Who would have stood firmly behind all our sisters, ensuring they received an equal share?
If one poses these questions to the conscience, the realization dawns: had Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar—the architect of the Indian Constitution—not been born on the soil of India, then the men and women, the youth, the students, the workers (including government officers and employees), and the unemployed of this nation would have remained nothing but slaves!
Therefore, it is imperative that all the indigenous citizens of India—men and women alike—comprehend the monumental work of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar without delay and take timely steps to secure their own future.
(By “indigenous citizens,” we refer to the OBCs, SCs, STs, minorities, and other such groups.)
For within this understanding lies the very essence of their freedom, their self-respect, and their liberty of expression.
