Context:
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- October 2 marks the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi. Another important event is commemorated on October 14, 1956 when Babasaheb Ambedkar, renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism.
- Differing opinions: Gandhi and Ambedkar held opposing views on fundamental social issues like varna and caste, leading to detailed discussions and ultimately the famous Poona Pact.
Difference of Mahatma Gandhi and Ambedkar on various issues
| Basis |
Views of Mahatma Gandhi |
Views of BR Ambedkar |
| Untouchability |
- Untouchability must be eliminated at all costs, while emphasizing on preserving the caste system as it was an ancient principle discovered by ancestors.
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- He sought to eliminate the four-fold segregation of society, as sanctioned by Hindu scriptures.
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| Caste Mobilisation |
- He refrained from segregating society along caste lines, viewing it as less significant.
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- Ambedkar advocated for mobilizing communities based on caste and using state support to uplift them.
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| Freedom |
- He believed that freedom must be earned through active demands and intentions to use it.
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- Ambedkar expected the imperial rulers to bestow freedom.
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| Views on Indian Unity |
- His political perspective emphasized Indian unity, arguing that India had been a nation prior to British rule and the British had disrupted this cultural unity.
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- Ambedkar believed that Indian unity was a result of the British legal system introduced by the colonial state.
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| Harijan Naming Controversy |
- The term Harijana was coined by Gandhiji to pay respect to the lower caste people.
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- Ambedkar disagreed with Gandhi’s naming of the depressed and untouchables as “Harijans” and saw it as a scheme to provide a superficial solution.
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| Violence |
- He opposed violence in all forms.
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- He held absolute non-violence as an end and relative violence as a means.
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| Caste System |
- He promoted the reform of the caste system through the abolition of untouchability.
- Any exploitative relationship could be rectified only when the exploiter had a change of heart.
- So he worked with upper castes to change their mindset.
- Gandhi leaned towards replacing the hereditary caste system with the Vedic system of varna.
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- In his writing, Annihilation of Caste, Ambedkar argues that caste has no scientific basis. He insists that it is essential to entirely annihilate caste in order to unite India.
- Ambedkar viewed the reform efforts advocated by upper caste Hindus as insufficient to undo centuries of discrimination.
- Caste was a political question, and couldn’t be addressed by social reforms only.
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| Separate electorates |
- Separate electorates offered limited benefits to lower castes. The introduction of separate electorates could lead to the division of Hinduism by creating internal divisions within the community.
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- The Depressed Classes would not gain any political influence unless there was a specially designed political machinery for the new constitution.
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Similarities between Gandhi and Ambedkar
- Limited state Authority: Both Gandhi and Ambedkar advocated for limited sovereign power of the state. They believed that ultimate sovereignty should rest with the people, not the government.
- This limitation on state authority was seen as essential to preserve individual spirit and personality.
- Mass mobilization: They believed that a change in the society could be seen only when the society collectively acts. Hence, they spurred mass mobilization against injustice.
- Struggle against Colonialism: Both of them worked only on major struggles but considered all struggles as essential.
- They knew that injustice couldn’t be eradicated without struggles.
- The works by Gandhi and Ambedkar highlight that material life is the basis of human activity.
- Moral values: They both believed that morals are eternal and are essential for coordinating material and social lives.
- Religious Scriptures: Both advocated that religious scriptures are to be read and understood.
- Social upliftment: Both of them worked on social emancipation.
Also read: Poona Pact, 1932
Gandhian Principles in the Constitution of India
- Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP): DPSPs in Part IV of the Constitution have assimilated some of his ideas he envisaged for the country’s holistic development.
- Art.39: To secure the equal right to livelihood and resources and discourages the concentration of wealth.
- Art 40: Implementation of village panchayats or self-sufficient villages
- Art.43 and 43B: Promote cottage industries and cooperative societies, respectively.
- Art.46: Uphold the educational and economic interests of weaker sections.
- Art.47: Encourages the state to make policies to prohibit the consumption of intoxicants,
- Art. 48: Prohibits the slaughter of cows and other milch cattle etc.
- Art. 51: enlists the promotion of international peace and honourable relations between nations.
- The Fundamental Rights:
- Art. 15: Articles have been incorporated to prevent discrimination
- Art.17: abolish untouchability
- Art. 25: Promote secularism ()
- Art. 29-30: Protect the interests of minorities ()
- The Constitution (Eighty-sixth Amendment) Act, 2002, to promote education through Art.
- Art 21A: Free and compulsory education to all children of the age of six to fourteen years.
- Decentralization: Adoption of universal adult suffrage and the accommodation of regional languages are in line with Gandhian views of devolution of power to the masses and respecting the multicultural nature of the country.
Contribution of Ambedkar in Constitution Making
- Father of the Indian Constitution: Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Constitution
- States and Minorities: He wrote and submitted it to the Constituent Assembly’s Sub-Committee on Fundamental Rights.
- A mini-Constitution in itself, States and Minorities framed strong constitutional protection for the Scheduled Caste community.
- Concept Of Federalism: His concept of federalism meant that the State was a federation in normalcy, but unitary in emergency.
- Strong Centre: In the Draft Constitution, he offered more powers to the Centre and made it strong.
- Equality Of Opportunity: In the Draft Constitution the “Fundamental Rights”, prescribed were justifiable in the Court of Law.
- Of all the rights, Dr. Ambedkar observed “Equality of Opportunity” as the most important one.
- Constitutional remedies: Ambedkar characterized Article 32 as the heart and soul of the Constitution.
- Directive Principles Of State Policy: These contained the positive obligations of the state towards its citizens. The Directives were meant to ensure social and economic democracy which was secured by the provisions of fundamental rights in a written Constitution.
Also read: Making of the Constitution
Relevance of Gandhism in today’s world
- Non Violence: In a world marred by war and the menace of terrorism, the idea of Non- violence is needed more and more today than the past days.
- Tolerance: The world today needs more and more religiously and faith wise tolerant people in societies where violence is committed in the name of religion.
- Tolerance in the society will help in neutralizing the ethnocentric bias in the globe that is taking place day by day on the basis of religion, caste, ethnicity and region etc.
- Socialism: The principle has become the lighthouse for Indian policy makers over the years.
- Behind the poverty alleviation programs, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, universal health care( Ayushman Bharat) , skill India programs,etc, the core inspiration comes from Gandhianism.
- National food security act of India to Obamacare policy of the United States of America Gandhian concept of socialism holds the key as a guiding principle.
- Cleanliness: Gandhiji gave great emphasis upon cleanliness or Swachata which is evident in the recent Swacchta Bharat Abhiyaan, the biggest cleanliness drive of India
- Along with clean roads, toilets for a clean India, a corruption free society with greater level of transparency and accountability is required.
- Self sustenance: The world is facing the burden of global warming, climate change and resource crunch.
- The world, including the United Nation(UN) has recognized the Gandhian idea of sustainable development.
- The recent inauguration of Gandhi Solar Park at the UN headquarters is a testimony to that.
- Behind all the climate deals, environmental conservation treaties and sustainable development goals of the UN Gandhian view self sustenance operates as driving philosophy.
Conclusion
Both Gandhiji and Ambedkar were great leaders and they had their own principles and ideals in shaping the national movement as well as Indian society. Both had differences over their respective political, social and religious philosophies and practical-political strategies but they shared a genuine and deep commitment towards emancipation of downtrodden and social upliftment of people. Their ideologies serve as timeless illustrations of unwavering commitment to the noble principles of life and it is incumbent upon every individual to imbibe these virtues.
| Attempt the PY Prelims Question:
Consider the following statements in respect of the Constitution Day: (2023)
Statement I:
- Constitution Day is celebrated on 26th November every year to promote constitutional values among citizens.
Statement II:
- On 26th November, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India set up a Drafting Committee under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to prepare a Draft Constitution of India.
Which one of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
- Both Statement-I and Statement- II are correct and Statement-II is the correct explanation for Statement-I.
- Both Statement-I and Statement-II are correct and Statement-II is not the correct explanation for Statement-I.
- Statement-I is correct but Statemerit-II is incorrect.
- Statement-I is incorrect but Statement-II is correct.
Ans: C |
September 30, 2023
