Ambedkar’s Ideology is Significant for India and the World

Some great men and guides have been born in our country who thought ahead of their time. Mahanayak Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar was also one of such visionary sages. In the present times, the relevance of Ambedkar has increased further. His thoughts have gained deeper significance.

Today, Babasaheb is relevant not only in India but also all over the world. America had accepted him as the ‘Symbol of Knowledge’ long ago. Recently, a grand statue of him was also established called ‘Statue of Equality’. The whole world is acknowledging the strength of Babasaheb’s humanitarian ideology. But, sadly, his thoughts are being disregarded in our own country. They are being suppressed. In such a situation, Babasaheb’s humanitarian ideology becomes even more important.

This time, on Constitution Day, November 26, 2023, a good thing happened -- through the initiative of D Y Chandrachud, Chief Justice of India, a statue of Babasaheb was installed in the Supreme Court.

Social and Economic Democracy

Dr Ambedkar pointed out in his famous speech to the Constituent Assembly, “India is today entering a life full of contradictions, where there will be equality in politics, but inequality in socio-economic life. How long can we continue this life full of contradictions?” Will we be able to survive? It is certain that if we remain deprived of social democracy for a long time, our political democracy will also be in danger.”

It is noteworthy that on December 4, 2023, many organisations protested together at Jantar Mantar in Delhi for the rights of Dalits and social justice and submitted a memorandum to President Draupadi Murmu regarding Dalit demands.

These organisations were talking about Dalit rights and were demanding social justice for Dalits. They were demanding land for Dalits. Also, they were opposing privatisation. Apart from it, they were demanding reservation in the private sector. This was all about so that Dalits also get equal rights granted by the Constitution. They should also have the right to live with human dignity i.e. equal rights, justice, and freedom.

It is clear that if all the people of the country had adopted the Constitution, had Babasaheb’s ideology been adopted, Dalits would not have needed to protest today at Jantar Mantar for their rights and justice.

The caste system in our country has become an exploitative due to which the so-called upper caste bullies are exploiting the Dalits. Even though Babasaheb wanted the destruction of caste, today’s reality is that the caste gap is becoming deeper day by day. In such a situation, how can we talk about social democracy?

For this, Dalits have to come to Delhi and raise their voice for their rights and justice. We have to protest.

As far as economic democracy is concerned, economic inequality between the upper castes and Dalits is continuously increasing. Today’s situation is such that the rich are becoming richer and the poor are becoming poorer. The truth is that 10 percent of the country’s people have 90 percent of the country’s wealth. This unequal distribution of wealth and resources is widening the gap between the rich and the poor.

Manuvidhan VS the Constitution

Babasaheb, who played an important role in the making of the Constitution, established democratic values in the true sense through the Constitution. Therefore, our Constitution is the protector of our democracy. But in the circumstances arising today, Ambedkar’s ideology becomes more relevant. Today, our freedom of expression is under attack. We are going through a period like an undeclared emergency. Constitutional values are being violated. “Hindu Rashtra” is being promoted in a secular country. Those who talk about democratic values are declared traitors. Communalism is being promoted. Mob lynching incidents are being carried out. Incidents of caste discrimination and atrocities are increasing. Fights with Dalits is a common thing; all limits of inhumanity are being crossed by people urinating on them. Humanity is being put to shame. 

On November 23, 2023, a Dalit teenager from Asaropur village in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh was first abused in the name of his caste by two upper caste people and then beaten badly. It is alleged that when the teenager asked for water, they urinated on the teenager’s face.

Ambedkar Needs to be Read Rather Than Worshipped

Today, on Mahaparinirvan Day of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, many politicians are praising and glorifying him. In fact, it is the trend of today to making Babasaheb worshipable has started. There are many who worship him but very few follow his ideology. Whereas, Babasaheb himself had opposed such a tendency. He had said- “It is better to follow the path shown by me rather than chanting my name.”

Nowadays, these politicians call Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar “respectable” but will not adopt his ideas. They will put up Babasaheb’s picture, garland him, and even bow down before him but will not follow his ideology. In fact, they are implementing Manuvidhan by keeping aside the values of the Constitution.

Emphasis on Women’s Empowerment

Babasaheb laid special emphasis on the development of women. He said that if you want to see the progress of any society, then see how much progress the women of that society have made. He considered the development of women as the measure of development of the society. He was a strong advocate of women’s education. He believed that if a man is educated then only one man is educated but if a woman is educated then the entire family is educated. She tried to get the Hindu Code Bill passed in Parliament for women’s rights. Thus we see that she raised the voice of women empowerment at a time when there was hardly anyone talking about women’s rights and development.

Similarly, he talked about not only the salvation of Dalits but also their right to freedom, equality, justice, and respect. This is the reason why even today the struggle for self-respect of Dalits gets direct inspiration from him. And in short, it is Babasaheb Ambedkar who talked about the respect of the Dalit and women communities of India who have suffered the most oppression and injustice. He fought battles for them and organised movements. That is why he is known in the world as the megastar of this century.

In conclusion, it would be no exaggeration to say that Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar inspired people throughout his life for the humanitarian ideology. No doubt, his ideology is relevant even today and will always be. Today, not only our country but the whole world needs to adopt the ideology of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar.