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The impact that Dr Ambedkar had in defining today’s India is unparalleled. His contributions in laying the foundations of a Transformed India with a rejuvenated socio-economic structure are laudable. However various events in recent times such as Jat Agitations, Reservation Demands for Dalit Christians, Rohit Vedula Controversy etc poses certain questions before us. Have the efforts that Dr. Ambedkar made for the upliftment of large section of society , borne fruit ? Are Dalit issues settled to some extent?Dr Ambedkar was one of the first economists to talk about inclusive growth. He professed an economic growth and development, wherein all different stratas of society would be participating in the nation building. He was truly a national leader.
RELEVANCE OF HIS IDEAS TODAY :
Dr Ambedkar thought of a national development, and a development model inclusive of Dalits and other weaker sections. In 1928, he developed the theory of economic development in which he emphasised on agriculture, industrialisation, modernisation. During his office as a minister, Equality , was his major priority. Therefore, he focussed on labour and other weaker sections of the society. He was also the Architect of Affirmative Action Policy .
Even today, when we face issues where different subaltern groups demand reservation, his views become really important. Dr Ambedkar argued that Indian society isn’t based on inequality alone, but it’s a unique inequality , wherein there are different groups which have hierarchy of rights and privileges. And we have to develop a specific model of growth to include the concern of each of the communities. Therefore, in order to deal with the problem of inequality , his views have to be taken into consideration seriously. There have been reservations for SCs and STs, but similar demands from Dalit Muslims and other classes (which may not be deemed to be backward) such as Jats and Patels have been on a rise recently. They are demanding space because of their perception of being unable to participate in the development process. Dr. Ambedkar had a vision of economic development in which he saw Indian traditions, village structure, caste system, inequalities- as obstacles which needed to be removed in order to prepare India for transformation into a modern industrial society. He talked about annihilation of caste system. Caste system in India inhibited the social mobility and acted as a major impediment to the modernisation of India (even to this date). Indian society was analogical to a multi storey building , where a person born on one floor would die on the same floor due to lack of mobility. In the constitution debates he argued that political equality should lead to social and economic equality as well lest the political equality should becomes meaningless. It is relevant even today. His message needs to be highlighted. Growing up amongst untouchables, made a deep impact on his intellect and turned him against the concept of untouchablit. He proposed that “We should uplift people and not just change nomenclatures.”. He emerged from the underbelly of society to champion of people , to chair a constituent assembly drafting committee. His life experiences reinforced his belief that Education played a key role in his life, so its a very important tool where Dalits are concerned. Because once you’re equipped with this weapon , you can achieve what you want provided there is a level playing field. He wanted to convert the political democracy that emerged at the time of independence into social and economic democracy.
DO DALIT ISSUES STAND ANSWERED TODAY?
When it comes to underprivileged classes, their education, health , livelihood , overall economic upliftment, living with dignity are the important areas of concern. While the issues have been settled to a certain extent, what has not been happening remains very large. On comparing education and health indicators of SCs and STs on one hand , and the rest of the population on the other hand, the gap between the two has narrowed to some extent. In 2004, a vision was given that in ten years this gap will be eliminated, but we are far away from that vision. In the field of education , because of Dr Ambedkar’s teachings, a lot of youth is coming forward and making a place for himself in different stratas of life. Reservation has helped a large number of people, however, it hasn’t been faithfully implemented.
SC subplan was launched to keep a certain amount of money specially for SCs and STs atleast in proportion to their population. But these haven’t been implemented. A lot needs to be done. Untouchability has vanished to a great extent. But it’s not eliminated completely. Inspite of legal protections , the number of atrocities still remain. And the proportion of cases coming to courts , has become negligibly small. Therefore, in living a life of dignity, a lot of ground needs to be covered, than what we claim to have. There is a fight for resources, which is the root cause of difference between the upper caste and lower caste. It’s a social reality , and it can’t be ignored. How many political provisions we have and how much have we implemented, that’s where the gap lies. It needs to be narrowed down. There is a need to change the mindset of people , not only the subaltern groups, but also who talk to them, who implement policies for them. There is a need to involve sensitivity in this matter. Dr Ambedkar’s legacy never became a political movement. But regionally there has been a mobilisation amongst Dalits. The issue is that there are cost of mobilisation, and is therefore difficult. Dr Ambedkar wanted to have a separate electorate . So that the lower castes can chose for themselves and not depend on the people of the high caste. In reservations, people are still dependent on high caste. They are always under the threat that they won’t be elected the next time. Which
CONCLUSION
Poverty among Dalits is 30% higher than national average. They are more malnourished than the higher caste. The enrolment in higher education is 11% for lower castes against 27% for higher castes. Many laws, as well as the Constitution itself, have been introduced in India banning caste discrimination, untouchability and their manifestations. Special legislation exists to counter manual scavenging (manual cleaning of human faeces), bonded labour and even ‘atrocities’. Special Commissions have been set up to monitor progress in eradicating caste discrimination. Affirmative action measures have been introduced and have to some extent enabled access for some Dalits in public sector employment and higher education.
However, the problem is not the law, but its implementation especially at the grassroot level. At all levels, there is a lack of political will to ensure that the laws are applied on the ground. Untouchability, bonded labour, poverty, manual scavenging, segregation, landlessness and violence are the everyday reality, inspite of the laws and special measures.
Dalit women face double discrimination in all spheres of life. They are more affected by poverty, and a majority of them experience physical or sexual violence from dominant castes, often used intentionally to sustain the oppression of the Dalit community. In religion and rites, 64% of Dalits are restricted from entering Hindu temples . In almost 50% of villages, Dalits are prevented from accessing cremation grounds. In 37.8% of the villages, Dalits are made to sit separately in some government schools (even to this date). So these social stigmas still remain.
In contemporary India, we have moved a long way from irrational and rampant caste based discrimination. Instances like Dalits excelling in UPSC exams, making their way into ISRO, Army and even entrepreneurship depicts a positive image. However, there is still a need to look at Dr Ambedkar’s policies to deal with the situation more efficiently.
By: Chandan Sharma ProfileResourcesReport error
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