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Constitution Day, November 26

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THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK

Ramesh Chander
The writer is A Retired Career Diplomat.

‘We the people of India’ are celebrating and observing Constitution Day on November 26 as we gave the Constitution of India to ourselves after duly enacting and adopting it in the Constituent Assembly in 1949. It is a matter of satisfaction to note that GOI under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi duly recognized the importance of the Day and started observing it officially beginning 2015 and rightly so. I wrote on the subject in my earlier blogs too. With the fast changing socio-political scenario in the country, it becomes all the more important not only to know and understand the Constitution of India but also imbibe the spirit behind it and also the motivation and dedication of our forefathers; especially Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in making this wonderful document to govern ourselves as a progressive and civilized nation. In the last 75 years, it has been amply proved that India is India only because of the Constitution of India. If we intend to transform India into Bharat, as visualized by the makers of the Constitution, we need to stand and defend, preserve and adhere to the core values of our Constitution – Democracy and Secularism based on the cardinal tenants of – Justice, Equality, Liberty and Fraternity.

India is a large country with big problems. In the process of making India a great country, we have come a long way and, perhaps, have arrived but are to go a long way ahead to reach. We Indians and also our political leadership must understand thus; sooner the better. Though, it seems, we are on track yet there are challenges and too big to remain on track. We can remain so if we adhere to the ‘constitutional methods’, as warned by the Father of our Constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar, in governance by the elected representatives and conduct of the citizenry. He further warned that we would be ushering the country into ’Grammar of Anarchy’ and put our hard earned independence into disarray, if we do not conduct ourselves with ‘Gyan – Knowledge’ and Sheel – Morality and Steadfastness’ that is ‘Gyan-Sheelta’.

Let us not put the real problematic issues under the carpet and shut our eyes to camouflage the alleged hidden agenda of changing the Constitution of the right wing Hindutava elements spear headed by RSS and its affiliates. Though both RSS and the BJP have made it clear openly several times that they fully abide by the Constitution of India and would keep doing so. But still, the lingering doubts, in this regard remain both in the opposition political circles and also in the minds of the masses. It is a dangerous situation which is not conducive to the health of our democratic polity and secular society. RSS and BJP and also their cadres and supporters put these doubts to rest with political will and vigour while we observe Constitution Day. Our Constitution has passed the test of time. Let us pledge ourselves to defend and preserve it on our path to further success and prosperity as visualized by our fore-fathers. Let us prove ourselves and make success of our Constitution as Babasaheb Ambedkar expected us to so when he said, “However good a Constitution may be, if those who are implementing it are not good, it will prove to be bad. However bad a Constitution may be, if those implementing it are good, it will prove to be good.” As a humble but awakened citizen f India, I have a couple of suggestions to make on this important Day; Constitution Day, November 26.

· Incorporate study of the Constitution of India in the school/college and university curricula appropriately including the important speeches of Babasaheb Ambedkar; particularly the one he made on November 25, 1949 in the Constituent Assembly, his last speech before the Constitution was finally passed and adopted and the important speeches and interventions made by the leaders like Rajendra Prasad, Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, K.M. Munshi, Syama Prasad Mukherjee, Abul Kalam Azad among others.

· Inculcate in the political leadership and top bureaucracy sense of ‘constitutional morality’ in the thinking and functioning of our ruling elites over and above the ‘political expediency’ as advised by Babasaheb Ambedkar in his epoch making last speech in the Constituent Assembly on November. Referring to the history as to how did we lost our freedom, he said “Will history repeat itself? It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds .we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indian place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood.(Cheers.) ” New CJI, Justice Surya Kant has rightly underlined the lofty ideal of ‘Constitutional morality’ after taking oath of office on November 24. He said,” The Constitution, he said, was the moral compass of the nation and must continue to guide judicial interpretation even as society evolved.”

· Discard ‘Hero worship’ in politics as it paves the way to ‘Dictatorship’ as advised by Babasaheb Ambedkar.

· Stop denigrating forthwith Babasaheb Ambedkar and the Constitution made by him as have been noticed in the Social Media, of late; particularly with regard to the making of the Constitution. Some ‘Andh Bhagats’ and ‘WhatsApp Scholars’ credit B.N. Rau as the Architect of the Constitution instead of Babasaheb Ambedkar. What do they want to prove; one does not know? Why I have listed this trivial but highly objectionable point? It has been observed that some of the known and prominent cadres and volunteers of RSS and BJP are, unfortunately and mischievously, resorting to this biased and hateful agenda. I have not seen RSS and BJP discouraging and condemning this uncalled for and nefarious activity by the divisive and dangerous forces. It may be added that Babasaheb himself duly appreciated the role and contribution of B. N. Rau as an Advisor to the Constituent Assembly.

· Constitution Day-November 26 is an important National Day of India and should be observed as such. Don’t try to make it a Day to be observed by the Ambedkarites and the Dalits at large. Constitution is an instrument which would be paving our path which would lead us to become a ‘developed country – Vikshit Bharat’ in the years to come as visualized by PM Narendra Modi.

Greetings to my fellow countrymen on the Constitution Day.

Uthaye Kuch Waraq Lale Ne, Kuch Nargis Ne, Kuch Gul Ne

Chaman Mein Har Taraf Bikhri Huwi Hai Dastan Meri

(Some leaves were picked up by the tulip, some by the narcissus, some by the rose
My story is scattered around everywhere in the garden)

Urha Li Qumriyon Ne, Tootiyon Ne, Andleebon Ne
Chaman Walon Ne Mil Kar Loot Li Tarz-e-Faghan Meri

(The turtle‐doves, parrots, and nightingales pilfered away
The garden’s denizens jointly robbed away my plaintive way)

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