Dr. B.R. Ambedker ON STATE SOCIALISM
From this discussion, you will realize that Ambedkar was not only a scholar with a firm intellectual grip on concepts, but he was also aware of the practical social difficulties in the way of democratic functioning. Therefore, he emphasises that mere liberty cannot be an adequate goal. Liberty is meaningful when Acompanied by equality. We want a democratic government which will uphold the idea of equality also. The western ideas of liberal democracy and parliamentary form of government do not ensure equality. So Ambedkar turned to socialism.
14.4.1 Inclination to Socialism
In those days, two varieties of socialism were prominent. One was Marxist
Socialism. Ambedkar studied various aspects of Marxism and favoured some
Marxist principles. He generally subscribed to the material view of history and agreed to the need for a total change for bringing about equality. He also accepted the idea of public ownership of property. However, he did not become a Marxist. The other important variety of socialism was Democratic Socialism. Ambedkar's firm belief in democracy attracted him to this ideology. He felt that socialism must function within a democratic framework. Democracy and socialism need not be opposed to each other. Thus, in 1947, Ambedkar propounded the idea of 'State socialism'. Even earlier, when fie established the Independent Labour Party in 1937, he had adopted a broadly socialist programme. The name of the party itself indicates that it was to be a party of all depressed classes. Its programme included state management of important industries and bringing about a just economic system. The party wanteq to ensure minimum standard of living for agricultural and industrial workers.
14.4.2 State Socialism
In 1947, Ambedkar suggested that the Constitution of India should incorporate
the principle of State Socialism. State socialism means that the state would
implement a socialist programme by controlling the industrial and agricultural sectors. There are two major aspects of Ambedkar's State socialism.
(a) Keyindustries and basic industries will be owned by the state. There will be no private ownership of such industries. This will help in rapid industrialization and at the same time, benefits of industrialization will be distributed among all the sections of the society by the state. Insurance will also be mtirely under state control;
(b) Agriculture will be treated as a state industry. This means that the
state will initiate collective farming. Farmers will be allowed to enjoy part of the agricultural produce and the state will get some share in the form of levy. Foodgrains procured by way of levy will be used for distribution at fare prices. In other words, the state will actively control both the industry and the agriculture.
This will ensure equitable distribution of wealth and protect the needy and the poor. Rapid industrial progress and welfare of all the sections of the society will be the responsibility of the state. However, the democratic institutions such as the parliament will also remain intact.
In the parliamentary form of government, the same party may not remain in
power permanently. Different parties with different programmes may come to
power. Therefore, Ambedkar suggested that the programme of State Socialism
should be made an uiialterable part of the constitution', so that any party which comes to power will have to implement that programme. This idea of State Socialism shows that Ambedkar was aware of the problems of poverty and
economic inequality. He !lid great emphasis on industrialization. He believed
that India needed rapid industrial growth. This will help to ease out the burden on agriculture. But merely of wealth, the menace of capitalism had to be avoided.
14.4.3 Role of Government
This was possible only if the state functioned as a major partner in the field of
industry. Ambedkar believed that the state operating through government will
be a neutral agency looking after the interests of the entire community.
Therefore, he attached much importance to the role of the government.
Government, according to him, has to perform the role of a welfare agency. It
has to ensure rapid progress and just distribution of the fruits of that progress. The role of the government was not restricted to industry only. It was expected to be active in the area of banking and insurance. Moreover, the government must also control the agriculture. By owning major industries and controlling agriculture, the government will curb economic injustice. In other words, changes of a revolutionary nature are to be brought about through the efforts of the government.
AMBEDKAR AND DRAFTING OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
In 1947, Ambedkar became Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the
Constituent Assembly of India. Hi5 contribution in this role has become
immemorable. Ambedkar's legal expertise and knowledge of constitutional
laws of different countries was very helpful in framing the Indian Constitution.
His deep regard for a democratic constitution and insistence upon constitutional morality also helped in this process. In this sense, he is rightly regarded as the architect of the Indian Constitution. There are many administrative details in the Indian Constitution (e.g. provisions regarding the Public Service Commission, Attorney General, Comptroller and Auditor General, etc.) which have made the constitution a very lengthy document. But Ambedkar defended inclusion of such details. He argued that we have created a democratic political structure in a traditional society. If all details are not incorporated, unscrupulous rulers in the future' may misuse the constitution without technically violating it. Thus, formally the constitution may remain in operation but its real purpose may be defeated. To avoid this, the best safeguard is to write down all necessary details and to bind future rulers to these details.
In a society where the democratic tradition is weak, such safeguards become essential. This shows that A~nbedkar was a staunch constitutionalist. He believed that a government must be constitutional and that constitution must be treated as a basic and sacred document. There was no room for extra-parliamentary activity in constitutional politics. He also attached much significance to the ebolution of constitutional norms and public practices consistent with the constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar's must important contribution to the Indian Constitution may be
seen in the areas of fundamental rights, strong central government and
protection of minorities. As .a liberal. Ambedkar believed that fundamental
rights constitute the most important part of the constitution. But mere listing of these rights is not sufficient. What makes fundamental rights really fundamental is the guarantee of constitutional protection to these rights. Ambedkar waS proud of Article 32 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees judicial protection to fundamental rights. Such protection makes the rights real and meaningful. There was general agreement in the constituent assembly that India needed a strong central government. Ambedkar shared this view. But his chief reason for advocating a strong central government was slightly different from that of the others. He was awateThat India was a caste-ridden society in which lower castes have always received unjust treatment from the higher castes.
He was afraid that casteism would be all the more powerful at local .and provincial Icvels. Government at these levels would be easily subject to casteist pressures and it would fail to protect the lower castes from higher caste oppression. The* national government would be less influenced by these pressures. It would bernore liheral in its approach than the local governments.
'Only a strong centralwas Ambedkar's most important reason for. sreating a strong central
government. He knew that the minority communities in India were in the most
vulnerable position. In India, there was a tendency of a communal or caste
majority becoming a political majority also. Thus, a minority will be both a casteminority and political minority. It will be subject to political as well as socialharassment. The democratic rule of 'one-man-one-vote' will not be sufficient insuch a situation. What we need in India is some guarantee of a share in power for the minorities. Minority communities should get an opportunity to elect their repredentatives. The views of these representatives must be fully respected.
Ambedkar attempted to incorporate many safeguards for the minorities,
including definite representation in the executive. He was successful in creating provisions regarding political reservations in legislatures and the appointment of a special officer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Commissioner) under Article 338 etc. He would have liked to create many more safeguards but for the unwillingness of the majority in the constituent assembly. What is significant here is Dr: Ambedkar's view that democracy is not merely majorit rule ahd that caste-communal minorities must be fully protected to make democracy meaningful. He 'was, in other words, against the 'Majoritarianism Syndrome'
14.6 ON SOCIAL CHANGE
Ambedkar made ceaseless efforts for the removal of untouchability and the
material progress of untouchables. From 1924 onwards, he led the movement of
untouchables till the end of his life. He firmly believed that the progresb of thenation could not be realized without first removing untouchability. Ambedkar
held the view that the removal of untouchability was linked to the abolition ofthe caste system and that it could be only by discarding the religious notionsfrom the basis of the caste system. The,refore, in the course of his analysis of the
caste system, he examined the Hindu religious philosophy and criticized it.He
did this boldly, often facing strong resentment from the orthodox Hindus.
14.6.1 Priority to Social Reform
Social reform was always the first priority of Dr. Ambedkar. He believed that
the economic and political issues should be resolved only after achieving the
goal of social justice. If priority is given to the issue of political emancipation, it
would mean transfer of power from foreign rules to the upper caste Hindus, whoare equally distant from the lower castes. ~husi,n justice against the
untouchables would still continue. Similarly, the idea that economic progress
would resolve all social problems was also ill-founded, according to Ambedka~.
Castepsrn is an expression of mental slavery of the Hindus. It made them
insensitive. Therefore, no real change could take place without doing away withthe evil of casteism. Social reform was the precondition of revolutionary
changes in our society.
Social reform consisted of reform of the family system and religious reform.
Family reform included abolition of practices like child-marriage etc. This was
important mainly because it involved upliftment of women. Reforms regarding
marriage and divorce laws for instance, would benefit women who were as
oppressed as the untouchables. Ambedkar strongly criticized the degradation of women in the Indian society. He believed that women were entitled to an equal status with men and that they must have the right to education. He lamented that the Hindu religion had deprived women of the right to property. In the Hindu Code Bill which he prepared, he took care that women should get a sharehe property. While he organised the untouchables, he always called upon
women of the untouchable community to come forward and participate in
social and political movements.
14.6.2 Attack on the Caste
1 Ambedkar's main battle was against the caste system. Caste had made Hindu
society stagnant. Due to the caste system, Hindu society is unable to
accommodate outsiders. This drawback poses permanent problems for
* integration. Even internally, the Hindu society fails to satisfy the test of a
homogeneous socie'ty. It is only a ccmglomerate of different castes. Caste is'an
obstacle in the growth of national spirit. Most importantly, caste system
perpetrates injustice on the lower czstes. It does not allow progress of the lower
castes. Lower castes receive nothing but contempt. This has resulted in moral
degradation and demoralisation of the lower castes. The unt.ouchables, in
particular, ;ire the constant object of injustice. They are denied education, good
livelihood and human dignity. The caste system has dehumanized them
thoroughly. The very idea that the mere touch of one human being pollutes
another shows the gross level of inequality and brutality to which the caste
system had sunk. Therefore, the battle for the removal of untouchability
becomes the battle for human rights and justice.
From this discussion, you will realize that Ambedkar was not only a scholar with a firm intellectual grip on concepts, but he was also aware of the practical social difficulties in the way of democratic functioning. Therefore, he emphasises that mere liberty cannot be an adequate goal. Liberty is meaningful when Acompanied by equality. We want a democratic government which will uphold the idea of equality also. The western ideas of liberal democracy and parliamentary form of government do not ensure equality. So Ambedkar turned to socialism.
14.4.1 Inclination to Socialism
In those days, two varieties of socialism were prominent. One was Marxist
Socialism. Ambedkar studied various aspects of Marxism and favoured some
Marxist principles. He generally subscribed to the material view of history and agreed to the need for a total change for bringing about equality. He also accepted the idea of public ownership of property. However, he did not become a Marxist. The other important variety of socialism was Democratic Socialism. Ambedkar's firm belief in democracy attracted him to this ideology. He felt that socialism must function within a democratic framework. Democracy and socialism need not be opposed to each other. Thus, in 1947, Ambedkar propounded the idea of 'State socialism'. Even earlier, when fie established the Independent Labour Party in 1937, he had adopted a broadly socialist programme. The name of the party itself indicates that it was to be a party of all depressed classes. Its programme included state management of important industries and bringing about a just economic system. The party wanteq to ensure minimum standard of living for agricultural and industrial workers.
14.4.2 State Socialism
In 1947, Ambedkar suggested that the Constitution of India should incorporate
the principle of State Socialism. State socialism means that the state would
implement a socialist programme by controlling the industrial and agricultural sectors. There are two major aspects of Ambedkar's State socialism.
(a) Keyindustries and basic industries will be owned by the state. There will be no private ownership of such industries. This will help in rapid industrialization and at the same time, benefits of industrialization will be distributed among all the sections of the society by the state. Insurance will also be mtirely under state control;
(b) Agriculture will be treated as a state industry. This means that the
state will initiate collective farming. Farmers will be allowed to enjoy part of the agricultural produce and the state will get some share in the form of levy. Foodgrains procured by way of levy will be used for distribution at fare prices. In other words, the state will actively control both the industry and the agriculture.
This will ensure equitable distribution of wealth and protect the needy and the poor. Rapid industrial progress and welfare of all the sections of the society will be the responsibility of the state. However, the democratic institutions such as the parliament will also remain intact.
In the parliamentary form of government, the same party may not remain in
power permanently. Different parties with different programmes may come to
power. Therefore, Ambedkar suggested that the programme of State Socialism
should be made an uiialterable part of the constitution', so that any party which comes to power will have to implement that programme. This idea of State Socialism shows that Ambedkar was aware of the problems of poverty and
economic inequality. He !lid great emphasis on industrialization. He believed
that India needed rapid industrial growth. This will help to ease out the burden on agriculture. But merely of wealth, the menace of capitalism had to be avoided.
14.4.3 Role of Government
This was possible only if the state functioned as a major partner in the field of
industry. Ambedkar believed that the state operating through government will
be a neutral agency looking after the interests of the entire community.
Therefore, he attached much importance to the role of the government.
Government, according to him, has to perform the role of a welfare agency. It
has to ensure rapid progress and just distribution of the fruits of that progress. The role of the government was not restricted to industry only. It was expected to be active in the area of banking and insurance. Moreover, the government must also control the agriculture. By owning major industries and controlling agriculture, the government will curb economic injustice. In other words, changes of a revolutionary nature are to be brought about through the efforts of the government.
AMBEDKAR AND DRAFTING OF THE INDIAN CONSTITUTION
In 1947, Ambedkar became Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the
Constituent Assembly of India. Hi5 contribution in this role has become
immemorable. Ambedkar's legal expertise and knowledge of constitutional
laws of different countries was very helpful in framing the Indian Constitution.
His deep regard for a democratic constitution and insistence upon constitutional morality also helped in this process. In this sense, he is rightly regarded as the architect of the Indian Constitution. There are many administrative details in the Indian Constitution (e.g. provisions regarding the Public Service Commission, Attorney General, Comptroller and Auditor General, etc.) which have made the constitution a very lengthy document. But Ambedkar defended inclusion of such details. He argued that we have created a democratic political structure in a traditional society. If all details are not incorporated, unscrupulous rulers in the future' may misuse the constitution without technically violating it. Thus, formally the constitution may remain in operation but its real purpose may be defeated. To avoid this, the best safeguard is to write down all necessary details and to bind future rulers to these details.
In a society where the democratic tradition is weak, such safeguards become essential. This shows that A~nbedkar was a staunch constitutionalist. He believed that a government must be constitutional and that constitution must be treated as a basic and sacred document. There was no room for extra-parliamentary activity in constitutional politics. He also attached much significance to the ebolution of constitutional norms and public practices consistent with the constitution.
Dr. Ambedkar's must important contribution to the Indian Constitution may be
seen in the areas of fundamental rights, strong central government and
protection of minorities. As .a liberal. Ambedkar believed that fundamental
rights constitute the most important part of the constitution. But mere listing of these rights is not sufficient. What makes fundamental rights really fundamental is the guarantee of constitutional protection to these rights. Ambedkar waS proud of Article 32 of the Indian Constitution which guarantees judicial protection to fundamental rights. Such protection makes the rights real and meaningful. There was general agreement in the constituent assembly that India needed a strong central government. Ambedkar shared this view. But his chief reason for advocating a strong central government was slightly different from that of the others. He was awateThat India was a caste-ridden society in which lower castes have always received unjust treatment from the higher castes.
He was afraid that casteism would be all the more powerful at local .and provincial Icvels. Government at these levels would be easily subject to casteist pressures and it would fail to protect the lower castes from higher caste oppression. The* national government would be less influenced by these pressures. It would bernore liheral in its approach than the local governments.
'Only a strong centralwas Ambedkar's most important reason for. sreating a strong central
government. He knew that the minority communities in India were in the most
vulnerable position. In India, there was a tendency of a communal or caste
majority becoming a political majority also. Thus, a minority will be both a casteminority and political minority. It will be subject to political as well as socialharassment. The democratic rule of 'one-man-one-vote' will not be sufficient insuch a situation. What we need in India is some guarantee of a share in power for the minorities. Minority communities should get an opportunity to elect their repredentatives. The views of these representatives must be fully respected.
Ambedkar attempted to incorporate many safeguards for the minorities,
including definite representation in the executive. He was successful in creating provisions regarding political reservations in legislatures and the appointment of a special officer for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Commissioner) under Article 338 etc. He would have liked to create many more safeguards but for the unwillingness of the majority in the constituent assembly. What is significant here is Dr: Ambedkar's view that democracy is not merely majorit rule ahd that caste-communal minorities must be fully protected to make democracy meaningful. He 'was, in other words, against the 'Majoritarianism Syndrome'
14.6 ON SOCIAL CHANGE
Ambedkar made ceaseless efforts for the removal of untouchability and the
material progress of untouchables. From 1924 onwards, he led the movement of
untouchables till the end of his life. He firmly believed that the progresb of thenation could not be realized without first removing untouchability. Ambedkar
held the view that the removal of untouchability was linked to the abolition ofthe caste system and that it could be only by discarding the religious notionsfrom the basis of the caste system. The,refore, in the course of his analysis of the
caste system, he examined the Hindu religious philosophy and criticized it.He
did this boldly, often facing strong resentment from the orthodox Hindus.
14.6.1 Priority to Social Reform
Social reform was always the first priority of Dr. Ambedkar. He believed that
the economic and political issues should be resolved only after achieving the
goal of social justice. If priority is given to the issue of political emancipation, it
would mean transfer of power from foreign rules to the upper caste Hindus, whoare equally distant from the lower castes. ~husi,n justice against the
untouchables would still continue. Similarly, the idea that economic progress
would resolve all social problems was also ill-founded, according to Ambedka~.
Castepsrn is an expression of mental slavery of the Hindus. It made them
insensitive. Therefore, no real change could take place without doing away withthe evil of casteism. Social reform was the precondition of revolutionary
changes in our society.
Social reform consisted of reform of the family system and religious reform.
Family reform included abolition of practices like child-marriage etc. This was
important mainly because it involved upliftment of women. Reforms regarding
marriage and divorce laws for instance, would benefit women who were as
oppressed as the untouchables. Ambedkar strongly criticized the degradation of women in the Indian society. He believed that women were entitled to an equal status with men and that they must have the right to education. He lamented that the Hindu religion had deprived women of the right to property. In the Hindu Code Bill which he prepared, he took care that women should get a sharehe property. While he organised the untouchables, he always called upon
women of the untouchable community to come forward and participate in
social and political movements.
14.6.2 Attack on the Caste
1 Ambedkar's main battle was against the caste system. Caste had made Hindu
society stagnant. Due to the caste system, Hindu society is unable to
accommodate outsiders. This drawback poses permanent problems for
* integration. Even internally, the Hindu society fails to satisfy the test of a
homogeneous socie'ty. It is only a ccmglomerate of different castes. Caste is'an
obstacle in the growth of national spirit. Most importantly, caste system
perpetrates injustice on the lower czstes. It does not allow progress of the lower
castes. Lower castes receive nothing but contempt. This has resulted in moral
degradation and demoralisation of the lower castes. The unt.ouchables, in
particular, ;ire the constant object of injustice. They are denied education, good
livelihood and human dignity. The caste system has dehumanized them
thoroughly. The very idea that the mere touch of one human being pollutes
another shows the gross level of inequality and brutality to which the caste
system had sunk. Therefore, the battle for the removal of untouchability
becomes the battle for human rights and justice.
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