INTRODUCTION:

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar accepted democracy as an important tool for bringing about peaceful change. Giving a broad meaning of democracy, he used to say that democracy does not mean rule by force or government run by the representatives of the people. That is a formal and limited definition of democracy. Only if we understand democracy as a way of bringing about radical changes in the social and economic sectors of society, then we will be able to understand its true meaning. Democracy is not limited to the schemes and policies of the government. In all sectors, democracy is not limited to the various schemes of the government, it also functions as an internal force of the society. Its usefulness also depends on the relations of other sectors of the society. In a democracy, elections, political parties, governments, etc. are finally the formal institutions of democracy. In a non-democratic environment, the governance system of any country cannot work effectively. The meaning of political theory is ‘one person, one vote. Which indicates political equality. But as long as there is oppression, exploitation, oppression, injustice in the society, there can be no sense of political ambition. As long as the caste system of society and inequality among caste-based classes do not exist, true democracy cannot come. Equality, fraternity and freedom are essential for accepting democracy in the true sense.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was always tormented by the fear that we have achieved political freedom, but until we can achieve social freedom, equality, equality, it will remain meaningless. He has also thought about the social aspects of democracy. Ambedkar was influenced by liberal ideology. But he also knew the limitations of liberalism very well. Parliamentary democracy emphasizes only political freedom, while true democratic freedom emphasizes equality and equality. Indian society wanted freedom from the British rule. But Dr. B. R. Ambedkar always had a suspicion that only through political freedom can we establish social freedom be considered meaningful.

He has also made some suggestions for the success of democracy. Democracy means the rule of the majority, but it should not be tyranny of the majority. In a democracy, the majority should always take the minority into confidence before making any decision. The minority should feel that it is safe under the rule. The minority community should not feel like a political minority and should feel that it is also an equal partner in power like the other majority community. Therefore, in a democracy, priority should be given to protecting the interests of the minority on an equal basis. That is why Dr. Ambedkar always said that he laid emphasis on establishing democracy in the social spheres as well.

Dr. Ambedkar's thoughts on democracy:

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar accepts democracy as the best system of governance. Therefore, he was constantly worried about the difficulties that would arise in running the Lok Sahi well, considering the Indian social and ideological situation. In Indian society, social, religious exploitation, oppression, oppression were being nurtured. As a result, the society was divided into two sections. Mostly the upper caste was the exploiter, while the Dalits, the victims and the women who were considered backward and were victims of social neglect, were the exploited class. The condition of both the classes had become very pitiful. They were constantly facing irrational injustice. For example, in those days, the Dalits had deprived us women of education and basic needs, creating the culmination of injustice. Dr. B. R. Abedkar considered this exploitative policy of the society as a threat to political freedom. In this context, Basant Kumar Mallika's statement is important. He says, “Democracy is not just a form of government but a way of life that should promote the welfare of all, not the happiness of the majority. Ambedkar’s ideology was ‘one person, one value in all aspects of life, political, economic, social’. The idea of ‘one person, one value’ seems to suggest that Ambedkar awarded the highest form of democracy by giving importance and value to every person in the society.” He clearly believed that without social unity, political freedom or democracy has no meaning. Therefore, he made some suggestions for a healthy democracy:

Personality worship should be destroyed:

Dr. B. R. Abedkar believes that the mentality of personality worship in the past is the biggest obstacle to the development of democracy. In this country, if a person does some good or gains popularity among the people, then people give him the title of an incarnate human being or a great man, not only that, but people start worshipping him as a god. And without evaluating the good and bad things of a person, they blindly believe in him. Most people are inspired by emotions instead of intelligence, logic, and conscience and start spreading the pollution of personality worship. In this world, becoming a complete human being is an incomplete task, whereas in India, any person who is extravagant, hypocritical, and vain becomes a great man and imposes his egoistic and unjust ideas in the society, this starts a chain of events in that person's mind, which finally settles in the society as a custom. Because behind every person lies the mindless power of a large number of people.

Equality of Dalits and women:

The building of India's democracy was being built on the basis of weak-minded social and religious beliefs. Dr. B. R. Abedkar was well aware of this concrete fact. Abedkar was a highly intelligent social thinker, a student of the internal social structure of India and an analyst of global political developments. He has made a detailed study of the freedom struggles and revolutions of many countries. From these studies, he has realized that the freedom or democracy of a nation whose people are socially and religiously divided, does not last long or such democracy continues to falter.

Opposition to caste system:

Dr. B. R. Abedkar believed that the most obstructive factor in the path of democracy is caste system. Because due to caste, a person becomes untouchable from birth and is forced to live a life worse than caste. On the other hand, a person born in the so-called upper caste enjoys special rights from birth without any merit. This situation was completely illogical and unjust. It not only damaged the social system of India, but this practice was also a threat to democracy. Therefore, Dr. Ambedkar believed that Swaraj and Suraj would remain a dream for this nation until the caste system was eradicated. Therefore, he always considered social freedom, social harmony and equality more important than political freedom. Political and social thinkers other than Ambedkar also strongly urged to reconsider the caste system of Indian society. One of the effects of this was that even the pioneer of the Indian revolution like Gandhiji began to feel, openly or secretly, that if India wanted to achieve political independence in the true sense, it was necessary to first bring about an ideological revolution of social equality. As a result, Gandhiji also called for the creation of an Indian society without distinctions between high and low and between caste and community. The basis of all these events was Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's revolutionary opposition to the caste system.

Strict implementation of binding instruments:

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar used to say that to accept democracy in its true sense, one should have strong faith in constitutional law. Also, the constitution should be followed strictly. He used to emphasize on solving economic and social problems and questions in a democracy in a constitutional manner. There is no place for unorganized methods, instruments, anarchy and revolution in a democracy. Change should be brought about peacefully in a democracy.

Dr. Dhananjay Keer notes that,

“Like social reformers, Babasaheb Ambedkar first took up the work of social reconstruction, but after the Round Table Conference, he started thinking about political reforms. From 1940 onwards, he turned to the important political problems of the nation. He studied in depth subjects like Pakistan, democracy, Gandhianism, the Co-operative State, socialism, the Constitution, the linguistic state etc. and expressed his worrying, thought-provoking and guiding views on them, leaving a lasting impression of his personality and thoughts.”

Emphasis on the establishment of socio-economic and political democracy:

Dr. B. R. Abedkar always considered social democracy to be very important compared to political democracy. That is why he believed that for the betterment of the Dalits and the backward classes, their condition could be improved through special security and facilities and financial protection through the Constitution. Some of his ideas were very far-fetched, such as reservation should be given in political service and educational institutions. Scholarships and other facilities should be provided in education. There should be a system of reservation in the assemblies and parliaments, religious and linguistic tolerance should be encouraged and the civil code should be implemented for all citizens. All people should be provided with the necessities of life, Dr. B. R. Abedkar had said in the Constituent Assembly that people suffering from inequality will uproot and throw away political democracy, consequently for the success of democracy in India it is necessary. That all kinds of social injustices should be eradicated from the roots.

Multi-party system:

Dr. B R. Abedkar used to say that the existence of political parties is the first and primary requirement to make democracy stronger. There must be political parties in a democracy. It is not possible to represent various interests, ideologies, social groups and classes in the state through a single political party. For a large country like India, a multi-party system is considered necessary and essential. Opposing one-party systems, they say that there is no ideological freedom in it. People do not have a suitable political alternative.

Presence of a strong opposition party:

According to Dr. Abedkar, just as political parties are indispensable for the success of democracy. Similarly, the presence of a strong and influential opposition party is very important to check the mind and autocracy of the government. The opposition party not only keeps control over the government. Along with this, in a democracy, people also get an alternative to a corrupt government. The opposition party provides the best option to the people to defeat the elected party in power in the election and form a more healthy government. In democracy, it is said that “the opposition party of today can become the ruling party of tomorrow.” The opposition party can hold the government accountable by criticizing the policies and activities of the ruling party. It makes the public aware of the anti-people policies of the government by bringing them to the attention of the people. The opposition party has to answer the criticisms and reviews made in and outside the parliament. The opposition party forms various committees to prevent scams, irregularities and corruption in parliamentary democracy and conducts impartial investigations.

A sense of dedication to constitutional goals and ideals:

Dr. B. R. Abedkar believed that the ideal society and the high ideals of democracy cannot be achieved by merely framing an ideal constitution and laws. He clearly believed that for this, the civil servants, political parties, non-political elements and the people of the entire country should work with complete sincerity. He used to say that just framing a good constitution does not get the job done. A good constitution can be useful only if it is properly implemented by good people. Every person should get information about the constitution. Every person should try to maintain the sanctity of the constitution. In the true sense, the constitution can be successful only when all the people of the country show sincere faith and loyalty towards the constitution.

The necessity of an informed referendum:

Dr. B. R. Abedkar clearly believed that an informed public opinion is the basis of democracy. Unless the people are aware of the principles and requirements of democracy, the journey of democracy cannot be completed. In democracy, it is said that unless the people are aware of democracy, no matter how good the constitution is, no matter how effective its laws are, they cannot be effective. No matter how many rights are given to a person, if there is no awareness about the usefulness of the rights, then the rights cannot be implemented effectively.

SUMMARY:

In the thoughts expressed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on democracy, he clearly stated that democracy in the true sense cannot be established unless the place of every person in democracy is considered equal. He gave special importance to equality, freedom and fraternity in the pillars of democracy. He clearly believed that democracy is very good as a system of governance. But until every citizen living in the society gets equal development, we cannot have democracy.

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Received on 09.11.2024 Revised on 26.11.2024

Accepted on 11.12.2024 Published on 18.12.2024

Available online on December 27, 2024

Int. J. of Reviews and Res. in Social Sci. 2024; 12(4):201-204.

DOI: 10.52711/2454-2687.2024.00034

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