Ambedkar as a Social Engineer and Constitution his Engine

 

The constitution of India is a remedial answer to the system of age-old social injustice in the form of caste system. It also provides special rights and protection to women children and other weaker sections of the society. Prof. A.M. Rajasekhariah has rightly stated, “He (Ambedkar) strove his utmost to incorporate into the Constitution of India such provisions as would help establish a new social order based on the lofty principle of political, economic and social justice for one and all. He tried to bring in about all the necessary changes in the Hindu society  in order to make it more democratic one”.

 

The two important contributions of Ambedkar in the constitution, which had an impact on social justice, are: Fundamental rights and Eradicating Untouchability.

Fundamental Rights:

 

Part III of the Constitution, which provides for Fundamental rights is the greatest gift of the constitution makers, especially Ambedkar.  In his book,  ‘Ranade Gandhi and Jinnah’, Ambedkar has expressed his view  that  the  idea of making a gift of fundamental rights to every individual is no doubt very laudable. But the essential question, which has to be answered, is how to make them effective? According to him the rights would be recognized and enforced only if there is a ‘Social Conscience’ to do the same. The judiciary, parliament and law all together would not come to rescue the Fundamental Rights if there is an opposition from the community.

Eradicating Untouchability and Reservation Policy:

 

Ambedkar himself had to face the evil of untouchability. The abolition of untouchability, was one of the important goals of his life. Article 17 of the Indian Constitution abolishes untouchability. The practice of untouchability is considered to be a punishable offence. The contribution of Ambedkar in removing untouchabilty was aptly lauded by Dr. Mono Mohan Das, member of constituent assembly as follows: “I cannot resist the temptation of saying a few words about our great and eminent Law Minister and Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Dr. Ambedkar. It is an irony of fate that the man who was driven from one school to another, who was forced to take his lessons outside the class room, has been entrusted with this great job of framing the Constitution of free and independent India, and it is he who has finally dealt the death blow to this custom of untouchability, of which he was himself a victim in his younger days”.

On the issue of reservation in politics Ambedkar  had  a  view  that  “A representative government is better than an efficient government”.
 

‘Objectives Resolution’, of  the draft constitution  itself guaranteed equality, basic freedoms of expression, together with “adequate safeguards for minorities, backward and tribal areas, and depressed and other backward classes.”
 

These principles acted as guideline for the draftsmen throughout the Constitution-making process and provided a strong foundation for inclusion of reservations for the underprivileged, which was essentially aimed at removing inequality.  

 

- from Internet