November 26, 2015
Sudip Bandyopadhyay speaks in Lok Sabha on the commemoration of 125th birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar
The subject of the day was initiated by the Hon’ble Speaker in a very dignified manner: The Constitution Day and Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who was the Father of the Constitution making Committee.
Our Constitution, Sir, which was adopted on 26th November, 1949, was a combination of hard work, foresightedness of great minds of the time like Pt Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Patel, Shri A K Ayer, Sri B N Rao, Janab Sayed Mohd Sadullah, Sri N Madhabrao Rao, Sri D P Khaitan, Dr Rajendra Prashad and Sri T N Gopalaswami.
Sir, however it is accepted and acknowledged by peers that Dr Ambedkar, as Chairman of the Drafting Committee had contributed the most in shaping the final Constitution of India.
In the words of Dr Rajendra Prasad, the President of the Constituent Assembly and later the first President of India, “I have carefully watched the day-to-day activities of the presidential seat. Therefore I appreciate more than others, with how much dedication and vitality, this task has been carried out by the Drafting Committee and by its Chairman Dr Ambedkar in particular. We never did a better thing than having Dr. Ambedkar on the Drafting Committee and selecting him as its Chairman.”
Sir, I would better mention here, that in the council which was set up, Dr Ambedkar represented West Bengal. He was born in Madhya Pradesh. He was ultimately in the Constituent Assembly. Along with him, there were Sarat Chandra Bose, father of Dr Sugata Bose, who is present over here, belonging to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose’s family, Mr Gurung, Shyama Prasad Mukherjee, Prafulla Chandra Sen, our former Chief Minister, Prafulla Chadra Ghosh, our former Chief Minister.
Babasaheb Ambedkar was elected from West Bengal as Mahatma Gandhiji wanted him to be inducted in the Committee but Maharashtra or Madhya Pradesh did not recommend him.
Among the diverse facets and talents of Dr Ambedkar, the one that stands out extremely tall is his unequivocal championing of social equality for all Indian citizens, especially the Dalit community. He was of the opinion, before Independence, that Dalits should be treated distinctly from the Hindus.
Dr Ambedkar’s stamp is reflected in some provisions of Part 3 and many parts of Part 4 dealing with the Constitutional mandates to ameliorate the condition of the schedule castes and scheduled tribes and other backward classes. Article 3 deals with the protection of the minorities. It is to be kept in mind that Article 15 prohibits untouchability. Sadly, we have not yet been able to eradicate the menace of the society till date. Probably, it will be a befitting tribute to Dr Ambedkar if we pledge to eradicate this discriminatory attitude as it will also help our nation to progress both socially and economically.
Dr Ambedkar was, Sir, was totally in favour of the Parliamentary form of the Government. We are the firm believers of the Parliamentary democratic system. Since the inception of the Government of India Act, 1935, he firmly believed that the Parliamentary system of the Government can only usher in an egalitarian society through the application of the principle of social democracy. He was also a strong advocate of the federal structure of Union and the States. He believed that due to diversity in region, culture, language, religion and food habits, it is best that States should enact its own variation based on the Constitution. Accordingly, Article I of the Constitution states India as Union of States.
Sir, there were so many national leaders at that time when the Constitution was set up. But amongst the leaders Dr Ambedkar was the most educated. He was MA, MSc, PhD, DSc, Bar at Law, with vast experience as educationist, parliamentarian and administrator. And Sir, after Independence, Jawaharlal Nehru inducted him as the Law and Judicial Minister.
Sir, how do we remember Dr B R Ambedkar? Dr B R Ambedkar could not take part in the freedom struggle of the country. But, he is no doubt, the hero who built an independent India’s Constitution. Babashaheb Ambedkar was an Indian nationalist, jurist, Dalit political leader, activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, scholar, editor, revolutionary and the revivalist of Buddhism in India.
Sir, he spent his whole life for the betterment of the poor, exploited and the troubled classes. We here have to reaffirm our commitments to the holy Constitution, Sir.
Sir, this is a country where we sing the song:
“Nana Bhasa Nana Mat, Nana Paridhan
Bibidher majhe dekho milon mahan”
There are many languages, many opinions, many dresses. In spite of that we are the firm believers of unity in diversity. This is the ethos and we are also the firm believers of the secularism, communal harmony and the unity of the country.
We think that nobody should oppose the term secular’. Being the Home Minister of the country, Rajnath Singh ji should not criticise the existing Constitution as it stands now.
Sir we sing “Hindu, Bouddha, Sikh, Jain, Parsi, Musalman, Christian”. This is the character, ethos of the country. Sir, this is the country where the great poet Iqbal sang “Sare Jahan Se Accha, Hindstan Hamara”. We should not forget this.
Sir, Indian Constitution reflects these principles.
Sir, we salute and want to remain committed towards this Constitution. We will remain dedicated to protect this Constitution. We will keep it upheld with the last drop of our blood. I saw the Twitter message today issued by the Prime Minister. I believe it is the correct feeling which should have been reflected on the floor of the House and that could been the actual line of the first speaker of the Government side.
Sir, attempts have been made to burn the Constitution in different programmes. We represent Bengal. There is a place in Bengal named Naxalbari in Darjeeling district where Maoist movement started. This party, in a public meeting at Shahid Minar in Kolkata publicly burnt the Constitution. Many political parties, few in the north-eastern regions, in the name of their movements, disobeyed and lit fire to the Constitution. In the name of the Khalistan movement, they disobeyed the Indian Constitution. It was burnt. But the efforts of these forces have never been successful. They could not reach their target.
Sir, there may be differences with the present Constitution. I do not differ with that. But, there are scopes for that amendment. One hundred amendments have been made to the Constitution till today. The opportunities are open, all scopes are there.
Sir, now I want to give some stress on federalism and federal structure of Government about which you were also a little vocal today, at the beginning.
Article one of the constitution says India is a union of states. But in reality there are attempts of harming the federal structure of the country. How will the Centre be strengthened if states become weak?
Sir a Government comes to power after 34 years a loan burden of Rs 2,36000 crore. And if this loan burden is to be carried by the new government how can they function? This is the case with my State. Present Chief Minister is carrying a burden of Rs 2,36000 crorse on her shoulder. In spite of that this state government is functioning.
I do not know that what constitution says here. If any state is asks for special assistance, the normal reply is that if such assistance is given to one state, the entire country will claim them. But such assistance is sometimes given. Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Tamil Nadu and even Punjab received special assistance. Let them get more assistance. We have no objection to that. But Bengal should not be neglected and deprived, Sir.
Dr Ambedkar was a strong advocate of the federal structure based on the principle of a strong centre and independent states.
Now I will come to the issue of tolerance. This issue was raised by Hon’ble President of India himself. He expressed his views on intolerance when he was visiting his village during Durga Puja.
Few incidents of intolerance have happened. India is a country of tolerance. And whole world has a respect for us, for that season. But few incidents are sending negative messages to the world.
Sir, every citizen, every religion certainly have their own right to observe their customs. They can practice them in their own ways and style. But now a days we are witnessing a sense of intolerance in many cases. Responsibility in such instances automatically comes on the shoulder of the government running the country.
We should make a firm commitment that such incidents will not be tolerated in the country. It will be the best respect shown to be Hon’rble Dr B. R. Ambedkar if we are firmly united while protesting against these issues. And in this case Hon’ble Prime Minister will have to rise to the occasion.
When such incidents happen he must criticise them in the country, not when he is travelling abroad. If he tackles issues remaining present on the floor of the House it will give a very positive signal to the nation and to all of us. I would appeal to him to consider this issue.
Sir, I am also concerned that intolerance also gives the birth of terrorism. It should be a matter of great concern to us that Shahrukh Khan, Aamir Khan, AR Rahman, Mithun Chakrabarty are feeling uneasy in our own country. We need to find out why they are saying so. They are all responsible and respectful artists of the country. Why they are facing this?
India showed the world how freedom struggle can be fought without. We saw how India fought against the British rulers with patience, with tolerance. Intolerance must be condemned from every corner.
Sir, this is the country of Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa Deb and Swami Vivekananda. This is the country where why we should not show intolerance. Sri Sri Ramakrishna Paramhansa said ‘Joto Mot, Toto Poth’ (As Many Opinions, That Many Ways).
Sir, I would say in conclusion that Dr Ambedkar deserves to be called the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. We must be united and ensure that Parliamentary democratic system be protected. The contribution of Dr Ambedkar in Indian democracy must not to be forgotten. His name will be written in golden letters in the history of India as a creator of social justice. We salute Gandhiji, Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Ballav Vai Patel and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
Sir, we should not hesitate to raise our voice in the House. We will request Hon’ble Prime Minister to look into these issues with top most priority. We commend the decision to celebrate the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Ambedkar. We are committed to protect this constitution with the last drop of our blood.
Thank you, Sir.
