THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
-Ramesh Chander
It was Ambedkar Jyanti on April 14. Going by the scale and tenant of the celebrations of the day to felicitate and own Babasaheb Ambedkar and his legacy throughout India and beyond by all and sundry, I thought of sharing my off the cuff observations on Babasaheb Ambedkar and the future of India in the given socio-political landscape of the country that is Bharat.
The situation, it seems, has come circle. Let us begin from the founding of Samata Sainik Dal (SSD) by Babasaheb Ambedkar in 1927, one year after the establishment of RSS in October, 1926. Its primary goal was to protect the rights and safety of marginalized sections of Indian society, a. The SSD aimed to create a more equitable society and mobilize the oppressed against caste discrimination. Ambedkar kick started with his agenda of social reform of the Hindus and education and empowerment of the depressed classes, now called Dalits or Scheduled Castes. He fought tooth and nail with the caste hierarchies of the main stream of the Hindu society on one hand and political rights and space of the socially weaker sections in the polity of India on the other. His struggle through socio-cultural agitations to reform the social ills of the Hindu society in the second half of 1920s, articulation at the Round Table Conferences in London in the early 1930s resulting in the Communal Awards of PM Ramsey MacDonald in 1932 and the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi, socio-political struggle through the lectures/books Annihilation of Caste to assert the rights of the depressed segments of the society and also to streamline and reform the main stream of the society, laying the foundations of the constitutional framework of through the Act of 1935, discussing and negotiating the socio-political rights of the Dalits with the British Rulers on hand and engaging with the Congress Party and 
Hindu leaders like Mahatma Gandhi and others on the other. Babasaheb Ambedkar always remained in the thickness of things in the emerging socio-political scenario in the 1940s before and after Independence of India in 1947 – as a Member of the Viceroy’s Executive and also as a Member of the Constituent Assembly and as the chief architect of the Constitution of India and later as the first Law Minister of the Independent India. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a nationalist, humanist and a reformer of the highest order to put it in nut-shell till his death (Mahaparnirvan in Buddhist parlance) in 1956. His immense contribution in building the socio-political edifice of the country – as an intellectual in shaping the labour laws, financial and fiscal discipline, women empowerment, developmental projects, social reforms and empowerment of dalits, making of the constitution of independent India i.e. Bharat needs no elaboration and is well documented. Today, with the fast changing scenario in the country, I thought of underlining Babasaheb’s role in streamlining of the society or say reforming the Hindu society and establishing a just social order as an ‘Indian first and Indian last’ which always remained at the back of his thought and mission – signing of Poona Pact to integrate the depressed classes with the main stream of the Hindu Society, Hindu Code Bill to reform the Hindu society, embracing of Buddhism to remain the cultural and spiritual embrace of the Indian tradition and many other such stances and considerations.
I did not intend to write a long piece but it happened so spontaneously. Unfortunately, in the caste ridden social set up, Ambedkar never got due space consideration in spite of the fact that he proved himself as the greatest son of the soil. Till 1970s, Ambedkar remained a pariah not only in the socio-political circles irrespective of political parties and their leaderships but also socio-cultural organizations like RSS among others. But Ambedkar’s stamp on the Indian landscape was firmly fixed with indelible ink. It is difficult to erase it easily. His legacy is so potent that Ambedkar rises like the proverbial ‘phoenix’. I often said and say it again that India is India because of the Constitution of India so ably made and given by our forefathers led by Babasaheb Ambedkar. In spite of enormous difficulties, we the people of India have reached a stage where all of our political and social bigwigs swear by the Constitution given by Babasaheb. It is a matter of great satisfaction. Incidentally, the newspaper of April 14, birthday of Babasaheb 
Ambedkar was overloaded by the greetings by the political and social leaderships terming him – ‘symbol of social justice and equality’, ‘Architect of the Indian Constitution’, ‘Modi Government is realizing Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of an inclusive Bharat’ by establishing as a tribute: Panchteerath to honour Babasaheb’s legacy – Janam Bhoomi (Mhow in MP), Siksha Boomi (London), Diksha Boomi (Nagpur in Maharashtra), Mahaparinirvan Bhoomi (Delhi) and Chaitya Bhoomi (Mumbai in Maharashtra), Legendry Statesman and a great social reformer. With a view to cut the matter short, it will be be suffice to say ‘Ambedka arrived and has reached’ to steer the caravan of Bharat to become a developed and prosperus country as by 2047 as visualized by PM Narendra Modi. We are on rails as President Droupadi Murmu while paying tributes to Babasaheb Ambedka rightly said that Ambedkar’s legacy will guide the future generations. Prime Minister Modi, in his tribute said, “His principles and ideas will strengthen and speed up the building of an ‘Aatmanirbhar’ (self-reliant) and developed India.” While speaking in Kanpur, RSS Chief Mohan Bhagwat hailed Ambedkar for his efforts to unite Hindu society and said, “Babasaheb had to face sever hardships in his life. From childhood, he faced discrimination and inequality yet throughout his life he tried to bring the Hindu society together. His commitment to social unity and progress is an inspiration to all.” The future of India lies with Babasaheb Ambedkar. I think that his thought and mission of as enshrined in the basic principles of the Constitution of India will carry us forward. There is no other way.
I have purposely quoted PM Narendra Modi and RSS Sarsanghchalak Mohan Bhagwat with regard to their thinking on Ambedkar and his contribution and also relevance. There have been doubts and misgivings in the past. But we are to bury the hatchet.
Ambedkar’s life and legacy is clear and laud. The social and political leadership which was somewhat hostile to Babasaheb Ambedkar and his vision due to some historical reasons, right or wrong, have realized that the things are to be put in their right perspective to transform India into Bharat. We should take them on their face value to bring about Samrasta in the society. There is no gain in harping on the old and the past as to who said and did what. Let us standup for India that is Bharat of today to ensure and secure its future. Let us adopt constitutional methods and approaches to get things done. Let us practice and profess constitutional morality and propriety in implementing the constitution in its letter and spirit as visualized by Babasaheb Ambedkar and others. I conclude with a poetic assertion of Allama Iqbal:
Hawaida Aaj Apne Zakhm-e-Pinhan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
Lahoo Ro Ro Ke Mehfil Ko Gulistan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
(I will surely exhibit all my hidden wounds today
I will surely change assembly to a garden with blood‐mixed tears)
Jalana Hai Mujhe Har Shama-e-Dil Ko Souz-e-Pinhan Se
Teri Tareek Raaton Mein Charaghan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
(I have to light every heart’s candle with hidden pathos
I will surely create bright illumination in your darkness)
Parona Aik Hi Tasbeeh Mein In Bikhare Danon Ko
Jo Muskhil Hai, To Iss Mushkil Ki Asan Kar Ke Chorun Ga
(If stringing these scattered pearls in a single rosary
Is difficult, I will surely make this difficult task easy)
