Lessons for India's Democracy

On 25 November 1949, the principal architect of the Indian constitution Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar addressed India’s Constituent Assembly for the last time, the day before the Constitution was adopted. Here is an excerpt from the speech.

- Dr B. R. Ambedkar

My mind is so full of the future of our country that I feel I ought to take this occasion to give expression to some of my reflections thereon. On 26th January 1950, India will be an independent country. Will she maintain her independence or will she lose it again? … It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of the fact that, in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds, we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed, or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost for ever. This eventuality we must all resolutely guard against.

There was a time when India was studded with republics, and even where there were monarchies, they were either elected or limited. They were never absolute. This democratic system India lost. Will she lose it a second time? … it is quite possible in a country like India—where democracy from its long disuse must be regarded as something quite new—there is danger of democracy giving place to dictatorship. It is quite possible for this new-born democracy to retain its form, but give place to dictatorship in fact.