Ambedkar's Inclusive India

From caste annihilation to economic democracy, BR Ambedkar's vision of pluralism, equity and social justice is the moral compass modern India must reclaim to truly unite its diverse fabric

- SANDIP BANERJEE

In recent years, in the context of social dimensions, three words have been featured with prior significance—Diversity, Equity, Inclusiveness. Today, the realization of these parameters might appear a near-past development, but a synoptical study of Indian history would glaringly highlight how these elements have always captivated the imagination of those who wanted to figure out a ‘better India’ where the macroscopic majority lives a standard of ‘better living.’ When Churchill opposed the Indian Independence Bill tabled in the British Parliament, he argued that the transfer of power was happening to a group of rogues and rascals and men of straw. He also argued that the country would crumble and would not be able to withstand the principles of freedom and rights. However, he failed to understand that there were personalities in colonial India whose ideology got ingrained into the thought process of the nation in such a way that free India would try to ride on such notions that help to maintain its unity in diversity. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was certainly one of such individuals.

The irony is that whenever we think about Dr. Ambedkar, we consider him as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution,’ but not many understand his vision of inclusive socio-economic living and fail to assimilate his ideas of pluralism, where monolithic social practices and beliefs are discouraged.