Latest News

  • Home
  • National
  • Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr Ambedkar, Wanted to Burn It
Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr Ambedkar, Wanted to Burn It
Monday, December 11, 2017 IST
Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr Ambedkar, Wanted to Burn It

In November 2015, a blitzkrieg of sorts raged in the Indian Parliament. No, this was not a war being fought over a bill, or an ordinance. It involved the codex that shapes our republic — the Constitution of India.

 
 

The Indian government decided to declare 26 November as the Constitution day, the day when it was adopted in 1949, months before it came into force on 26 January 1950, celebrated in the country as Republic Day. Prime Minister Modi categorically noted that the declaration was not only aimed at generating awareness about the Constitution, but also about Dr Ambedkar.
 
But did you know that the Father of the most detailed and wordy constitution wanted to burn it?
 
I Shall be the First Person to Burn It Out
 
It is by placating the sentiments of smaller communities and smaller people who are afraid that the majority may do wrong, that the British Parliament works. Sir, my friends tell me that I have made the Constitution. But I am quite prepared to say that I shall be the first person to burn it out. I do not want it. It does not suit anybody. But whatever that may be, if our people want to carry on, they must not forget that there are majorities and there are minorities, and they simply cannot ignore the minorities by saying, “Oh, no. To recognise you is to harm democracy.” I should say that the greatest harm will come by injuring the minorities.
Dr BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on 2 September 1953
On 2 September 1953 while debating how a Governor in the country should be invested with more powers, Dr Ambedkar argued strongly in favour of amending the constitution.
 
[...] my submission is this that no harm can be done to democracy and to democratic Constitution if our Constitution was amended [...]
Dr BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on 2 September 1953
Shruti Rajagopalan, Assistant Professor of Economics at State University of New York, Purchase College, while speaking on the historical, ideological, and economic context for constitutional amendments in India from 1950-78, speaks about Ambedkar’s resentment.
 
 
A Constitution for the Demons
 
Two years later, on 19 March 1955, Dr Anup Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from Punjab, brought up Ambedkar’s remark, when the Fourth Amendment Bill was being discussed. Dr Singh asked, “Last time when you spoke, you said that you would burn the Constitution.”
 
Do you want a reply to that? I would give it to you right here. My friend says that the last time when I spoke, I said that I wanted to burn the Constitution. Well, in a hurry I did not explain the reason. Now that my friend has given me the opportunity, I think I shall give the reason. The reason is this: We built a temple for god to come in and reside, but before the god could be installed, if the devil had taken possession of it, what else could we do except destroy the temple? We did not intend that it should be occupied by the Asuras. We intended it to be occupied by the Devas. That’s the reason why I said I would rather like to burn it.
 
Dr BR Ambedkar in the Rajya Sabha on 19 March 1955
There have been several media reports, views published across platforms, entailing the gabfest involving the Constitution. And then there are our politicians. But no one, absolutely no one has even bothered to take a short walk back in history, and considered what the maker of the Constitution had to say.
 
We ask you – if you want to honour someone, would you just adorn him with ceremonious accolades, or would you rather partake of the wisdom he once shared?
 

 
 

 
 
 
 
 

Related Topics

 
 
 

Trending News & Articles

 Article
Here is the full list of 827 porn websites banned by the DoT

While the Uttarakhand High Court has asked to block 857 websites, the Ministry of Electronics and IT (Meity) found 30 portals without any pornographic content. ...

Recently posted . 61K views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Class XII Boys Raped 16-Year-old in Dehradun School After Watching Porn on Phone: Police

The four boys as well as five school officials, including the director and principal, were arrested after the incident. The minors were presented before the Juvenil...

Recently posted . 8K views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Sept 27,2001 Rahul Gandhi and his girl friend Veronique,was arrested in Logan airport in Boston

Rahul was having an Italian passport and was carrying suitcase full of dollars. Some say it was about was it $2 million. Rahul and his girl friend was th...

Recently posted . 7K views . 7 min read
 

 Article
TOP 10 GYM EQUIPMENT BRANDS IN INDIA 2017

True – Tr...

Recently posted . 6K views . 83 min read
 

 
 

More in National

 Article
27 YO Man Hangs Himself In Madhurai Due To ‘Hair Fall Problem’

A 27-year-old software engineer committed suicide in Madurai on Sunday as he was frustrated over a hair fall problem, police said.  

Recently posted. 486 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
Infosys Q3 profit up 7 percentage to Rs 3,708 crore, revises revenue guidance

Bengaluru: Country's second-biggest programming firm Infosys today detailed a 7 percent development in its united net benefit at Rs 3,708 crore for the October-...

Recently posted. 578 views . 16 min read
 

 Article
15 Of The Poshest & Most Exclusive Areas To Live In Delhi NCR

Did you know that this densely populated city is home to some of the biggest schools, bigger malls and even more exclusive residential areas?! We went on a hunt a...

Recently posted. 1K views . 2 min read
 

 Article
Govt will soon make Aadhaar-driving licence linking mandatory: Ravi Shankar Prasad

"We are soon going to bring a law which will make it mandatory to link Aadhaar with driving licence," Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Recently posted. 615 views . 1 min read
 

 Article
The cost of cash: Going cashless could save Indian economy crores

Indeed, even before Delhiites were compelled to invest hours queuing up for the ATM, acquiring money was an expensive recommendation. In 2014, the general populatio...

Recently posted. 537 views . 13 min read
 

 
 
 

   Prashnavali

  Thought of the Day

“There’s power in looking silly and not caring that you do.”
Amy Poehler

Be the first one to comment on this story

Close
Post Comment
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST
Shibu Chandran
2 hours ago

Serving political interests in another person's illness is the lowest form of human value. A 70+ y old lady has cancer.

November 28, 2016 05:00 IST


ads
Back To Top