The Constitution Still Thrives, Let It Show India the Way (GS Paper 2, Polity)
Context
- This year marks the 75th anniversary of the adoption of India's Constitution, an event that took place on November 26, 1949.
- To commemorate this historic moment, the Union government plans to host a special joint sitting of Parliament.
- There will certainly be many celebratory speeches, lauding the significance of this document.
- However, the most important speech to reflect upon is that of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the principal draftsman of the Constitution, given on the eve of its adoption.
- His words, uttered on November 25, 1949, serve as a solemn reminder of the responsibilities that come with a democratic framework, urging the people of India to truly embody the values enshrined in the Constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar’s Warning: The Role of People and Political Parties
- Dr. Ambedkar’s speech on the eve of adoption contained a stark warning: that no matter how good the Constitution is, it would depend on the people and political parties to make it work.
- He emphasized, “however good a Constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it, happen to be a bad lot.”
- Ambedkar pointed out that even a bad Constitution could turn out well if the people entrusted with implementing it were capable and virtuous.
- His warning highlighted the essential role of leadership and governance in shaping the success or failure of the Constitution.
- The framers had crafted a document with provisions for amendments to adapt to changing times.
- However, much of the Constitution’s vitality depends on how those in power choose to interpret and implement it.
The Lacunae Identified by Dr. Ambedkar
Dr. Ambedkar also identified two key lacunae in Indian society that stood in stark contrast to the Constitution’s ideals: equality and fraternity.
Equality: A Nation of Contradictions
- Ambedkar pointed out that on January 26, 1950, when the Constitution came into effect, India would enter a “life of contradictions.”
- While the political system recognized equality in terms of one person, one vote, India’s social and economic systems continued to perpetuate inequality.
- Ambedkar’s grave question was, "How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions?"
- His concern was that true equality could not exist without addressing the deep social and economic disparities.
Fraternity: The Missing Ingredient
- Ambedkar also emphasized the absence of fraternity — a sense of common brotherhood that binds the people of a nation.
- For Ambedkar, fraternity was essential for the unity of India, particularly in the face of the deep-rooted caste system and religious divisions.
- He famously stated that without equality, liberty would lead to the supremacy of a few over the many, and without fraternity, liberty and equality could not flourish.
- He warned that, without fraternity, “it would require a constable to enforce them,” referring to the authoritarian measures needed to maintain order in a society that lacks genuine unity.
Progress in the 75 Years Since Dr. Ambedkar’s Vision
Advancements in Equality
- Seventy-five years later, much has changed in terms of equality.
- The abolition of untouchability, along with the world’s oldest affirmative action program, including reservations for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs), has helped elevate those previously marginalized.
- The Mandal Commission led to the extension of reservations to OBCs, deepening the inclusivity of Indian democracy.
- However, the task of achieving true social and economic equality is far from complete.
- The demand for further reservations and affirmative action continues, indicating that many sections of society still feel marginalized.
- The caste census debate is ongoing, as various groups push for a more accurate accounting of India’s social composition.
Fraternity: A Work in Progress
- As for fraternity, India’s political landscape still shows deep divisions along caste, religious, and regional lines.
- While a sense of nationhood has developed over time, as seen in events like the Kargil War or the Galwan conflict, caste remains a powerful political and social force.
- The mobilization of votes based on caste and religion continues to reinforce these divisions.
- Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of fraternity is still a work in progress.
- While there is a strong sense of national unity in some aspects, it is yet to fully transcend the legacy of social divisions and caste hierarchies.
The Role of Caste Reservations in the Constitutional Vision
- While reservations for Scheduled Castes and OBCs have made strides towards equality, they have arguably worked against the spirit of fraternity.
- The extension of reservations has led to the entrenchment of caste as a political resource, as Dipankar Gupta notes.
- Instead of moving towards the eradication of caste, reservations have, in some cases, reinforced it. Dr. Ambedkar’s ultimate aim was not just representation but the annihilation of caste from public life.
- The system of reservations, particularly the extension to OBCs, was meant to be a temporary measure.
- Yet, its perpetuation has led to debates about whether it has fostered true social unity or simply reinforced the caste system.
Progress and Pitfalls: The Highs and Lows
- Despite the challenges, India can be proud of how the Constitution has evolved.
- The very fact that the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government, which had once opposed the Constitution, now celebrates it, is a testament to the strength of the document.
- It has weathered 106 amendments and continues to guide India’s democratic experiment.
- However, the hollowing out of key institutions — such as the judiciary, the Parliament, and other democratic structures — is a concerning trend.
- The increasing centralization of power and the undermining of democratic norms have led to warnings from organizations like the V-Dem Institute, which describes India as an "electoral autocracy."
Conclusion: A Call for Reflection and Action
- In his concluding remarks, Dr. Ambedkar reminded the Indian people that with independence came great responsibility.
- The Constitution placed on India’s shoulders the duty of upholding democratic values, and the people could no longer blame colonial rulers for the country’s failures.
- Seventy-five years later, India must reflect on the progress made and the road ahead.
- As custodians of the Constitution, it is the responsibility of every Indian to ensure that equality, liberty, and fraternity are not just words on paper but are actively lived in the day-to-day life of the nation.
- Let the Constitution continue to show the way, guiding India through the challenges of the next century.
