On 26th November, 2017 we celebrate as Constitution Day, as this day on 1949 the Constituent Assembly adopted the Constitution of our country.
The fulfillment of Ambedkar's herculean efforts to draft a Constitution and his fight for equality and democracy will be successful only when we remember his valuable advice on various matters. I will quote his words on Marxism, Journalism, Gandhian Philosophy, and Islam.
1. Among other things, he condemned the communists the most. He believed the Marxism and democracy cannot live with one another.
The Communism—which is another name for the dictatorship of the Proletariat—came to Russia, it did not come as something inevitable without any kind of human effort. There was a revolution and much deliberate planning had to be done with a lot of violence and bloodshed, before it could step into Russia.
The Communists themselves admit that their theory of the State as a permanent dictatorship is a weakness in their political philosophy.
They take shelter under the plea that the State will ultimately wither away. The building up of the Communist State is an useless effort. If it
cannot be sustained except by force and if it results in anarchy when the force holding it together is withdrawn what good is the Communist State.(Parliamentary Addresses).
The Communism—which is another name for the dictatorship of the Proletariat—came to Russia, it did not come as something inevitable without any kind of human effort. There was a revolution and much deliberate planning had to be done with a lot of violence and bloodshed, before it could step into Russia.
The Communists themselves admit that their theory of the State as a permanent dictatorship is a weakness in their political philosophy.
They take shelter under the plea that the State will ultimately wither away. The building up of the Communist State is an useless effort. If it
cannot be sustained except by force and if it results in anarchy when the force holding it together is withdrawn what good is the Communist State.(Parliamentary Addresses).
2. On Journalism:
Journalism in India was once a profession. It has now become a trade. It has no more moral function than the manufacture of soap. It does not regard itself as the responsible adviser of the Public. To give the news uncoloured by any motive, to present a certain view of public policy which it believes to be for the good of the community, to correct and chastise without fear all those, no matter how high, who have chosen a wrong or a barren path, is not regarded by journalism in India its first or foremost duty. (Ranade Address 1943).
Journalism in India was once a profession. It has now become a trade. It has no more moral function than the manufacture of soap. It does not regard itself as the responsible adviser of the Public. To give the news uncoloured by any motive, to present a certain view of public policy which it believes to be for the good of the community, to correct and chastise without fear all those, no matter how high, who have chosen a wrong or a barren path, is not regarded by journalism in India its first or foremost duty. (Ranade Address 1943).
3. Ambedkar always condemned Gandhi for not fighting for Daily rights and temple entry. He always said that Gandhi was always concerned with appeasing Muslims rather than fighting for equality in Hindu society.
4. On Islam:-
"Hinduism is said to divide people and in contrast Islam is said to bind people together. This is only a half-truth. For Islam divides as inexorably as it binds. Islam is a close corporation and the distinction that it makes between Muslims and non-Muslims is a very real, very positive and very alienating distinction. The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only. There is a fraternity, but its benefit is confined to those within that corporation. For those who are outside the corporation, there is nothing but contempt and enmity. The second defect of Islam is that it is a system of social self-government and is incompatible with local self-government, because the allegiance of a Muslim does not rest on his domicile in the country which is his but on the faith to which he belongs. To the Muslim ibi bene ibi patria [Where it is well with me, there is my country] is unthinkable. Wherever there is the rule of Islam, there is his own country. In other words, Islam can never allow a true Muslim to adopt India as his motherland and regard a Hindu as his kith and kin." (Thoughts on Pakistan).
"Hinduism is said to divide people and in contrast Islam is said to bind people together. This is only a half-truth. For Islam divides as inexorably as it binds. Islam is a close corporation and the distinction that it makes between Muslims and non-Muslims is a very real, very positive and very alienating distinction. The brotherhood of Islam is not the universal brotherhood of man. It is brotherhood of Muslims for Muslims only. There is a fraternity, but its benefit is confined to those within that corporation. For those who are outside the corporation, there is nothing but contempt and enmity. The second defect of Islam is that it is a system of social self-government and is incompatible with local self-government, because the allegiance of a Muslim does not rest on his domicile in the country which is his but on the faith to which he belongs. To the Muslim ibi bene ibi patria [Where it is well with me, there is my country] is unthinkable. Wherever there is the rule of Islam, there is his own country. In other words, Islam can never allow a true Muslim to adopt India as his motherland and regard a Hindu as his kith and kin." (Thoughts on Pakistan).
Remember always before quoting Ambedkar's views on Hinduism, all these views of his on Marxism, Journalism, Islam, and Gandhi must also be remembered.
Democracy can live only by protecting democratic forces and by defeating forces that seek to defeat democracy. I further think, a true tribute to Ambedkar on this Constitution Day will be by remembering his words!
No comments:
Post a Comment