India’s Constitution Progress and Ongoing Challenges

Source: The post India’s Constitution Progress and Ongoing Challenges has been created, based on the article “The Constitution still thrives, let it show India the way” published in “The Hindu” on 26th November 2024

UPSC Syllabus Topic: GS Paper 2-Constitution of India —historical underpinnings, evolution, features, amendments, significant provisions and basic structure.

Context: The article reflects on the 75th anniversary of India’s Constitution adoption. It highlights B.R. Ambedkar’s concerns about inequality and fraternity, assesses progress on equality, and discusses challenges like caste politics, institutional erosion, and the ongoing responsibility to uphold constitutional values.

For detailed information on Significance of the 75th anniversary of the Constitution of India read this article here

What Did Dr. Ambedkar Say on Constitution Adoption?

1. Importance of Implementers: Dr. Ambedkar said that a good Constitution could fail if implemented by bad leaders, while a bad Constitution could succeed with capable leaders.
2. Need for Social Transformation:
3. Dr. Ambedkar highlighted the contradiction between political equality (one person, one vote) and social and economic inequality.
4. He stressed that liberty, equality, and fraternity are interdependent. Without fraternity, equality and liberty could not flourish naturally and would require enforcement.
5. Fraternity, defined as a sense of common brotherhood, was hindered by caste and religious divisions, which he called “anti-national.”
6. He argued that fraternity would lead to solidarity and help erode caste and social hierarchies.
7. Responsibility Post-Independence: Ambedkar reminded Indians that after independence, they could no longer blame the British for failures and must take responsibility for their actions.

How Has India Progressed on Equality, Fraternity?

1. Progress on Equality
2. Abolition of Untouchability: Untouchability has been legally abolished, promoting equality in principle.
3. Affirmative Action: India implemented one of the world’s oldest reservation systems for Scheduled Castes and Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
4. Challenges: Social and economic equality is still incomplete, as seen in demands for caste-based opportunities and a caste census.
5. Economic Inequality: Inequalities in wealth and outcomes remain significant, causing political and social unrest.
6. Progress on Fraternity
7. Nationhood Strengthened: Events like the Kargil War and cricket matches show a growing sense of national unity.
8. Challenges:
9. Caste-based politics and reservations undermine fraternity.
10. Dr. Ambedkar’s vision of caste annihilation has not been realized, as caste remains entrenched in public life.
11. Limited Social Unity: Divisions based on caste, creed, and region persist.

For detailed information on Affirmative Action in India read this article here

What Challenges Remain for the Constitution?

1. Institutional Weakening: Parliament and judiciary face pressures, reducing their effectiveness.
2. Global Perception: The V-Dem Institute labeled India an “electoral autocracy,” indicating concerns about democratic practices.

Way Forward

Dr. Ambedkar reminded us of the responsibility independence brings. India must reduce societal and political contradictions, strengthen institutions, and follow constitutional principles to ensure true democracy.

Question for practice:

Examine Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s concerns about the relationship between liberty, equality, and fraternity, and their relevance to India’s progress since the Constitution’s adoption.