Revisiting Bhimrao Ambedkar- A Study of Social and Political Justice

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Back of the Book Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar

The present book examines the 'Revisiting Bhimrao Ambedkar: A Study of Social and Political Justice. It is an edited pioneer work which is based on the primary and the secondary sources. This book gives interesting and vivid information about the vision of Ambedkar viz-a-viz society, politics and economy of the modern India.

`Bharat Ratna' Baba saheb Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956) was, undoubtedly, one of the greatest figures of India. He struggled throughout his life to secure the human rights of the depressed classes, minorities and women. Born in a depressed family, educated on the lines of the western system, a noted jurist, an economist, a great social reformer, an universal leader, and a revivalist for Buddhism, he appeared on the Indian political scene at a very opportune moment, assumed the natural leadership of the depressed classes, minorities and women, actively participated in social reform movement and played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India. He was a strong champion of social and political justice for untouchables, minorities and women, and his vision of a strong nation consists in social and political democracy providing greater opportunities to those who have been victims of discrimination, deprivation, destitution and denial of opportunities since times immemorial. His farsightedness for social and political justice emanates from his zest for 'just society', based on the idea of a casteless society. His three Principles of liberty, equality and fraternity are enshrined in the Constitution of India giving equal opportunities to all classes.

Ambedkar believes that without the annihilation of caste system, social and political justice cannot be established. He himself suffered from the scourge of untouchability, humiliation, indignity and discouragement at every step of his life. That is why he developed all his energy and efforts to root out caste system from the society. He was fully aware of the structural problems of Hindu society. To establish social and political democracy, he lays emphasis on fraternity and emotional integration. His views on social and political justice incorporate the removal of all inequalities through law, morality and public conscience. Political democracy, according to him, is not complete if it is not strengthened by social democracy and equitable distribution of national wealth. He stresses on the establishment of socio-political justice as well as on social unity for strengthening the roots of democracy.

About the Authors Dr. Gopal Parshad Dr. Gopal Parshad is presently Associate Professor and Head of the Department of History at the Institute of Integrated and Honors Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra. He is also working as Deputy Director (additional charge), Centre for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Studies, Kurukshetra University. He has more than twenty six years' experience of teaching and research to his credit. His main area of interest for research is Modern History of India. He has guided three students for M. Phil and three students for Ph.D degrees. He has written extensively on the Political, Social and Economic History of Modern India and authored `Industrial Development in Northern India (1858 -1918): A Study of Delhi, Punjab and Haryana' (2005); `Modes of Agriculture: A Study of Haryana and Punjab' (2019) and ' Social Harmony and Nation Building: Perspectives of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (2019). Moreover, 14 books of History for undergraduate classes and 20 research articles published in national and international journals also flowed from his pen. His active participation in national and international conferences is also evidenced by his 38 research papers presented by him.

His multifarious interest in various academic and other important activities is also reinforced by the fact that he has organized a number of seminars, conferences and quiz competitions. He has also chaired and co-chaired in various sessions of national and international conferences. He is also the member of Indian History Congress and Punjab History Conference. His name figures on the panels of various committees of the University such as U. - G. and P. G. Board of Studies, Inspection Committee, Observer, Selection Committee, Unfair Means Committee and Compliant Committee.

Dr. Mahabir Narwal Dr. Mahabir Narwal is Professor, Department of Commerce, Kurukshetra University, and Kurukshetra. He has teaching experience of more than 21 years. He has guided 5 Ph.D. and 45 M. Phil. students. He has to his credit over 40 research papers in national and international journal. He has presented around 52 research papers in national and international conferences/seminars. He has represented Kurukshetra University in International Conferences at Chicago (USA), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia), Bangkok (Thailand) and Dabang (Vietnam). He has completed one minor research project "An Appraisal of Grant for Construction of House Development Scheme for Social Justice in Kurukshetra District" funded by Centre for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra; one Major Research Project "Corporate Social Responsibility: A tool of Strategic Advantage" funded by UGC and authored a book titled Social Harmony and Nation Building: Perspectives of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. He is also a paper coordinator to develop e-content and authored 10 Modules for Post Graduate Program in Human Resource Management under UGC Project, an initiative of Ministry of HRD. Besides academics, he is associated with UG/PG Board of Studies, various inspections, selection, UMC, enquiry committees and Road safety club. He has been the member of the university court and presently member of Academic Council. At present he is also working (additional charge) as Director, Centre for Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Studies, Kurukshetra University, Kurukshetra.

Foreword Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar played a pivotal role in social, political and economic transformation of India. He struggled throughout his life for securing the human rights. The main aim of his ideology is to forge national unity and fraternal relationship amongst the people. He is rightly remembered as a chief architect of the Constitution of India, which paved the way for laying the firm foundation of social and political democracy, embodying the spirit of equality, liberty and fraternity. He availed this opportunity to establish just society which was full of inequality, discrimination and other things that stood in conflict with our fundamental rights.

Indian Constitution provides equal rights and equal opportunities to every citizen of the country as well as special safeguards to the downtrodden, minorities and women. Being the first Law Minister, he also decided to free women from old-age captivity by reforming the traditional Hindu social laws.

Ambedkar stressed on the establishment of Samta Samaj and Samatagrahi. He holds the view that for social and political justice these two concepts must be interlinked. He emphasizes on the need for eradicating idea of upper classes and lower classes, inculcating among the people a sense of self-elevation through self-respect and self-knowledge. His view on social and political democracy is to remove of all kinds of inequalities through law, morality and public conscience, He says, 'A democracy from government presupposes a democratic form of society. The formal framework of democracy is of no value and would indeed be a misfit if there is no social democracy. The political never realize that democracy is not only a form of government, it is essential a form of society.'

He observes that without social democracy, neither political democracy nor national unity can be maintained.

The present book is an Endeavour to bring forth vision of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar from the pen of eminent scholars. They have presented their views on Indian Constitution, social and political justice, economic equality, women upliftment and establishment of just society etc. legacy of Dr. Ambedkar is preserved and forwarded in true spirit by such thinkers who dedicate their time to take principles to the grassroots. I do hope that this book will strengthen the social and political justice and contribute towards building. a strong nation.

Preface The present book titled 'Revisiting Bhimrao Ambedkar: A Study of Social and Political Justice' examines, explores and illustrates Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar's vision of social and political justice. This book comprises 29 research-based articles of distinguished teachers and eminent scholars, throwing ample light on the various aspects of Dr. Ambedkar's personality and his spectacular contribution to promoting social and political justice. He is rightly remembered as the chief architect of the Constitution oldie, the largest Constitution of the World, which paved the way for laying the firm foundation of social and political democracy, embodying the spirit of equality, liberty and fraternity. This book also focuses upon the philosophy of Ambedkar regarding society, religion, untouchability, abolition of caste system, women empowerment, democracy etc.

Ambedkar was critical of Hinduism because it is based on a class concept. He believed that the philosophy of Hinduism neither satisfies the test of social unity nor does it satisfy the test of individual justice. It is a philosophy which divides society in groups, and which segregates work from interests, isolates intelligence from labor, deprives men of human rights and causes disunity. According to him, Hindu religion is devoid of fraternity, and cannot be called the religion of humanity. It promotes inequality and does not help the vulnerable. Ambedkar also stressed on need for eradicating ideas of upper class and lower class by inculcating among the people a sense of self-evolution through self-respect and self-knowledge. He observes that the origin of Hindu society based on caste-system is the main cause of poverty, inequality, untouchability and communal violence. That is why he criticized vociferously both four-Varna system and Purushasukta.

Ambedkar believed injust and casteless society, and stressed on the annihilation of castes. According to him, caste has killed the public spirit. In Hindu society, a man only thinks about his caste and there is no sympathy for the deserving. The meritorious are not recognized and rewarded, and no charity is extended to the needy. Ambedkar also held the view that untouchables were denied the basic rights due to the existence of religious and social disabilities. Their social and economic condition became very horrible when the upper caste Hindus subjected them to social boycott. According to Ambedkar, the Hindu society denied social and political justice toe large number of people. It failed to provide equal opportunity and a conducive atmosphere to all the people without discrimination to develop their potentialities fully. Moreover, due to the various social evils, untouchables and women could not achieve social, economic and political justice.

Social and political justice of Ambedkar is based on liberty, equality and fraternity. The main objective of justice is to remove all kinds of social, economic and political inequalities. His main concept of social and political justice includes unity, equality and self-respect. He maintains that without social democracy, neither political democracy nor national unity can be established. Thus, he was a strong votary for social democracy along with political and economic democracy.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages