Every year, April 14 is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary. He is often referred to as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’ because of his role as the Chairman of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly. Although his role in shaping the social and political landscape of the country has been significant, this Ambedkar Jayanti, we take a look at his pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee and a staunch advocate of social justice, he ensured that the Indian Constitution advocated for underprivileged and marginalised communities of India. Dr Ambedkar’s most significant contribution to the Constitution of India included provisions protecting women’s rights. 

Setting the stage for compassion and brotherhood

A constitution is widely seen as a body of rules for the functioning of a nation, state or organisation. But the Constitution of India is far more than just that. What sits at the heart of this comprehensive document are values of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity.  

These core values are enshrined in the preamble of the Constitution of India itself and thus set the tone for the document that stands as a beacon of hope for the millions of underprivileged and marginalised citizens. The preamble provides a framework for promoting the welfare of all citizens and encouraging altruistic behaviour.

The idea of fraternity, which refers to the brotherhood or togetherness of all Indians, strongly emphasises the value of showing compassion and kindness to others.

Advocating inclusion and fraternity

The Constitution of India includes provisions that prohibit discrimination based on caste, race, religion, sex, or place of birth. These provisions have been instrumental in promoting equality and social justice in Indian society.

The Indian Constitution as it was drafted and came into force in 1950. The draft commitee headed by Dr BR Ambedkar

Another significant contribution of Dr Ambedkar to the Constitution of India was the inclusion of provisions that protected the rights of minorities. The Indian Constitution guarantees the right to freedom of religion and ensures that minorities are not discriminated against for their religion. The Constitution also includes provisions that promote the preservation of the cultural and linguistic diversity of India.

A framework for women’s empowerment

Dr Ambedkar ensured that the Indian Constitution included provisions that protected women’s rights. He remained vocal about his views on birth control, equal pay for female labourers and urging women to stand up for their rights in the face of patriarchal beliefs that plagued rural India back then. Emerging as one of the leading feminists in the political sphere of pre-independence India Dr Ambedkar stood strongly in favour of women’s empowerment even while formulating the Constitution.

The Constitution guarantees equal rights to women and prohibits discrimination against them. The Constitution also includes provisions that promote the participation of women in politics and other spheres of public life. Provisions were included asking the state to strive for “equal pay for equal work for both men and women” and “for securing just and humane conditions of work and for maternity relief”.

A beacon of hope for the less fortunate

The Indian Constitution is focused on promoting the welfare of the people of India. For instance, the Constitution guarantees the right to education and ensures that the State promotes the educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of society. Article 41, 42 and 43 of the Constitution, enlisted as Directive Principles of State Policy, talk about “right to work, to education and to public assistance in unemployment, old age, sickness and disability”. These articles also direct the state to “endeavour to secure to all workers a living wage and a decent standard of life”. Similarly, Article 39 asks the state to formulate policies “towards ensuring the rights to an adequate means of livelihood to all the citizens and protection of the strength and health of workers”. Similarly, the article discusses ending the exploitation of children and youth.

Then there is Article 46, which states, “the State shall promote educational and economic interests of the weaker sections of the people particularly that of the Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and other weaker sections”.

The Indian Parliament where the Indian Constitution prepared by a committee headed by BR Ambedkar was finally approved

Protecting environment, culture and heritage

The drafters of the Indian Constitution, led by Dr Ambedkar, also ensured that environment protection and preserving Indian culture and heritage remained a vital part of the state’s functions. The Constitution includes provisions that promote the protection of the environment and ensure sustainable development. Article 48A asks the state to “To protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country”. Similarly, Article 49 says, “The State shall protect every monument or place of artistic or historic interest.” 

The Constitution of India is a living testament to the foresight of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar and members of the Constituent Assembly. The Indian Constitution has made a substantial contribution to the advancement of social justice, inclusion, and democracy in Indian society. It is appropriate to consider the ideals and principles embodied in the Indian Constitution on the occasion of Dr. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary and to recommit ourselves to respect these values and principles in our daily lives.

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