Book Review: The Foresighted Ambedkar Idea That Shaped Indian Constitutional Discourse”, Written By 'Anurag Bhaskar'

When we think of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar as historical personality, it appears as ever evolving like evolution. This book “The Foresighted Ambedkar Idea That Shaped Indian Constitutional Discourse”, written by 'Anurag Bhaskar' is, just an another attempt which furthers the same cause of evolutionary mechanism present in Ambedkar and makes his picture more clear and visible. Most often while assessing Dr Ambedkar's contribution in the formation of Indian Constitution we tend to confine his immediate presence in constituent assembly and what he did thereto only. But this myopic approach to understand Dr Ambedkar's contribution through the lens of constituent assembly debate suppresses the long and enduring struggle that Dr Ambedkar had for the creation of a just and inclusive constitution for all. This book explains, how, via Dr Ambedkar the Constitutional Discourse began in India and what ultimately shaped the final philosophical underpinning of Constitution in a concrete structure.Apart from above narrated ideas the book also plays a decisive role in debunking myths like Dr Ambedkar had ideas, such as his desire to burn the Constitution and his proposal for job and education quotas to be discontinued after ten years. And also the book disagrees with writers like Arundhati Roy and Shashi Tharoor on point that Dr Ambedkar didn't pursue the cause of Schedule Tribes (ST) and gives a detail description of Dr Ambedkars contributions concerning the ST issue.In the recent times, while an attempt is going on for redefining constitutional jurisprudence in India, the formidable repute of Dr Ambedkar is being debated heavily, both inside the parliament and outside. Dr Ambedkar is relevant for everyone else, not just to those only, who agree or disagree with him.Considering the present day reality and to understand the why Dr Ambedkar is being rightly called as the 'Father of Indian Constitution' this book becomes an urgent read for everyone.Layout of the BookThe book runs through 'twenty-one' chapters ranging from early life to educational achievements, which ultimately shaped Dr Ambedkar to the kind of socio-political ideology that he asserted throughout of his life. In the initial two chapter of the book Anurag Bhaskar depicts the early life of Dr Ambedkar, about his caste, family, his father's profession, the education which he received in India as well as in abroad and the atrocities which he faced “as Dalit and as a Dalit professional”.Followed by this, the book probes into discourse of colonial constitutional reforms in two phases, one before 1915, this phase preserved the interest of upper caste ruling elite only, the dual policy of non-interference and codification of customs effectively enabled the power of Brahmins to maintain pre-existing subaltern trajectory. The second phase (1915-1950) begins with advent of Dr Ambedkar in constitutional discourse, wherein he brought true constitutional philosophy, a radical departure from governance to human right based governance, he demanded a just and inclusive social-contract for all.Further, Bhaskar's work examines Dr Ambedkar's ideas on popular government and citizenship, highlighting how Dr Ambedkar viewed democracy as more than just elections and majority rule. He believed true democracy required social and economic justice, with fair distribution of resources to enable marginalized communities to participate equally in politics. Through Dr Ambedkar's speeches and debates, Bhaskar shows how Dr Ambedkar's focus on linking political democracy with economic justice shaped his constitutional vision. Dr Ambedkar opposed the idea of democracy based solely on numerical majorities, instead advocating for constitutional safeguards to protect minority rights, especially for Dalit's and oppressed castes.Subsequently, Bhaskar depicts how Dr Ambedkar used the language of rights to situate the concerns of the Depressed Classes. In order to accomplish this, he set for two aims: first to awaken the consciousness of the Depressed classes, and second, to place their concern before the British authorities and within the national discourse.The book analyses key moments in Dr Ambedkar's political career, focusing on the Mahad Satyagraha as a significant event that shaped his legal and constitutional ideas. This struggle for the right to access public water sources symbolized a broader fight for equality and social justice. Bhaskar also highlights Dr Ambedkar's seminal support for universal adult franchise, advocating for equal voting rights for all citizens despite widespread illiteracy and social divisions. This push for democracy was a core part of Dr Ambedkar's vision for a just India and continues to influence the fight for equality and representation in modern society.Furthermore, the book presents the tyranny of meritocracy—that reservation would suppress merit and in return efficiency in administration would be compromised. Dr Ambedkar made it clear that education system in...

Book Review: The Foresighted Ambedkar Idea That Shaped Indian Constitutional Discourse”, Written By 'Anurag Bhaskar'

MOHAMMAD ADIL

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