presented a challenge to traditional historians and scholars of mythology, and it was done when he held the highest position in the government.
He realized that the age-old feeling of inferiority, which had made the oppressed classes accept their low social position, could not be changed simply by cultural and intellectual transformations. Therefore, he concluded that both economic and political rights must be granted. This is why he wholeheartedly supported the Congress proposals for fundamental rights and directive principles. He wanted to free India’ s common people from the pervasive mythological atmosphere of Hinduism and decided to help them break free from Hinduism and adopt the Buddhist religion, which he himself embraced, bringing a large number of Harijans, primarily from Maharashtra, to follow Buddhism.
Although there was much similarity in the revolutionary methods of Dr.
Ambedkar and the Communists, he was completely opposed to their foreign allegiance and the use of force. Therefore, his labor union refused to follow the Communist-dominated All India Trade Union Congress.
Dr. Ambedkar realized that for a long time, most Harijan, oppressed, and lower and middle-class people would remain wage earners. Therefore, the protection of the working class could only be achieved through measures that improved their general conditions. Thus, he fully supported labor unions and the legislation related to them. When I formed a group under the Krishikar Lok Dal, he encouraged three of his followers, including a former minister, to join the Krishikar Lok Dal. He expressed his happiness that we were able to form an independent parliamentary union. Although he remained an independent member of Parliament, whenever I needed it, he supported the interests of farmers and workers in his speeches and considered me his ally.
It is true that India’ s Constitution is the work of those wise democrats who truly wished for the progress of the people. Its legislative framework and language were constructed by distinguished jurists like Aladi and Munshi. Dr. Ambedkar’ s scholarly speeches in the Constituent Assembly demonstrated his erudition and independent, visionary thinking. He was a true democrat. He remains a guiding light for the future social democracy of India’ s Swaraj.
( Prof. Ranga was elected as a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1946 and served as a member of Parliament from 1952 to 1991. This article was included in the book " Supreme Parliamentarians( Monograph Series) Dr. B. R. Ambedkar " published by the Lok Sabha Secretariat in 1991. This article is presented here with attribution to the original source.) �
April 2025 | Dalit Andolan Patrika 29