The Constitution Continues to Keep Democracy Alive

No other government would dare to impose an Emergency ever again

- Shashi Shekhar

Yesterday we celebrated Republic Day. It was also a field day for social media. So, what was the social media chatter yesterday about?

Some said our Constitution is subservient to power and authority; others insisted the document has been able to achieve many of its goals. Without drawing conclusions, let me highlight three points that show the strength of our democracy. The first pertains to Bhimrao Ambedkar, and Jogendra Nath Mandal.

It would be a rarity for any Indian to claim she or he hasn't heard about Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, but how many would know about Jogendra Nath Mandal? For those who may not know, Mandal was the first law minister of Pakistan, just as Ambedkar was the first law minister of India. Indians may not remember Mandal, but worse, he remains a forgotten figure even in Pakistan.

Mandal was born on 29 January 1904, in the Barisal district of East Bengal (now Bangladesh). Like Ambedkar, he too excelled in education despite terrible odds, and had realized soon after he left his village that untouchability in India did not have a quick fix. This was why he settled in Pakistan before Partition.