Statutes of unity

The Constitution reminds us that national oneness comes through addressing inequalities, not enforcing uniformity

- MANOJ KUMAR JHA Member of the Rajya Sabha from the Rashtriya Janata Dal

The words “We the People” at the start of our Preamble carry deep meaning for Indian society. These simple words tell us that our Constitution comes from all of us, not from any king or ruler. The Preamble’s message is that peace comes from understanding we are one people with a shared future.

However, the journey of the Indian Constitution, despite remarkable achievements, has not entirely lived up to expectations because of a combination of factors rooted in the evolving sociopolitical landscape, governance challenges, and the gap between ideals and implementation. The ruling regime’s infatuation for authoritarian politics significantly undermines the idea of “We the People” as envisaged by members of the Constituent Assembly.

YOUNG INDIA’S CONSTITUTION

The society that the Constitution envisioned is different from the one today. India is now much more urbanised, diverse and interconnected. But, discrimination continues and income inequality is rising. In recent times, young Indians have wielded copies of the blue-and-red-bound Constitution as powerful symbols while protesting against ill-conceived government policies as well as the increasing everyday violence unleashed with impunity by well-protected vigilante groups.

Young people have also powerfully merged B.R. Ambedkar’s imagery in their rights-based movements. The slogan “Jai Bhim, Jai Samvidhan” has become ubiquitous at protests, linking Ambedkarite thought with constitutional values. No wonder young people across the country were shocked and disturbed by insensitive utterances made by senior ruling party members in Parliament on Ambedkar’s legacy. It proved the opposition’s charge that the government has scant regard for the Constitution and constitutional values.

A THOUSAND CUTS