Ambedkar as a Wonder

 Ambedkar as a Wonder

    In my childhood, I was fascinated by the attire of Ambedkar and his chashma. Then I had no thought that his attire is a  symbol of modernity. I use to wonder why we celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti every year on the 14^th April but today I understand his philosophy, stature, and magnanimity. His insults, humiliation and social stigma of lower caste made him constructive critic of Indian society. Due to exploitation,  he possessed a firm belief in democracy, where every individual will have political, social and economic justice. And his affirmation has reflected in the preamble of the Indian constitution.

    When I ask my students about their role model or any inspiring personality they look up to I do get answers  ‘Ambedkar’, then I ask them why? Their answers would be this ‘he gave us Constitution’,  but my dear students don’t know that what treasure he has left with all of us. Probably they might have learnt this during school days as one of the general knowledge questions. I am not exaggerating Ambedkar and his personality but rather just putting across my views about him and his relevance today. And why every student or youngster must acquaint themselves with philosophy and principles of Ambedkar ?

    I am not referring him with  'was',  according to me he is alive even today because of his contribution to “we the people of India”. I hope most of you agree with me. I would consider him as complete package of humanity, justice and insight  For Ambedkar freedom is power, which liberates from fear and presumptions (religious, social). He also advocated the cause rooted for extreme inequality against minorities. However, liberal countries like the USA and Europe are not free from this extreme inequality ( Slavery, Holocaust).

    Ambedkar becomes important for his advocation of categorical differences, among social institutions,  which overlooked the concept of ability and promoted the concept of ascribed status by birth. Even today our  Indian society relies on these differences.  I believe that such engraved practices are obstacles the progress.  I am saying it in the context of the economic growth and prosperity of India.  Since my childhood I have been learning this- India is a developing country and hitherto it is so. These days despite education and knowledge we are not ready to give up such superstitious beliefs,  traditional practices, rituals, and way behind the scientific and rational thinking.

    The call of  Ambedkar "educate, agitate and organize” is revolutionary. But though we are educating ourselves, we have not inculcated the other two powerful words into our spirit of learning. Also, he strongly objected to and criticized caste discrimination.  For him religion must be based on universal principles of morals and reason, also he upheld the basic tenants of a just society such as liberty, equality, and fraternity. Therefore, he fought for the sustainable development of Dalits through legal and constitutional provisions. Besides, he also believed that law is an important weapon to fight against discrimination.

    Similarly for a healthy, balanced, and happy society. He also addressed women and minorities. Yes, today, a large number of women (girls) are allowed to have access to education and the public sphere but the success rate is less. Still, there is a prevalence of violence, subordination, and against women. Unrest, humiliation is carried out and intensified hatred against minorities in the name of religion, for instance, today communal violence,  across India. Ambedkar has not visioned present India. He dreamt of a democratic India, not an autocratic one. Therefore, the need of the hour is to agitate,  organize to rescue the fraternity and brotherhood, to retain the diversity and social fabric of our country.

Noorul Huda

21/4/22