Known as one of the principal founders of the Indian Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar was an influential figure who held a profound democratic vision that encompassed social, political, and economic domains of human existence. His ideology was deeply influenced by the philosophies of Buddha, Kabir, and Mahatma Phule.
Ambedkar’s Concept of Democratic Morality
According to Ambedkar, morality was a fundamental aspect of democracy, intertwined with its pillars of equality, liberty, and fraternity. He utilised this moral lens to critique the caste system and religious structures, which he found incompatible with democratic principles. Promoting a balance between individualism and fraternity, he emphasised the necessity of practicality, critical reasoning, and rationality in analysing concepts and theories within a democratic society.
The Two Types of Morality: Social and Constitutional
Ambedkar laid out two key categories of morality. Social morality pertained to respect and equality among individuals, something hindered by caste and religion. On the other hand, Constitutional morality was essential for maintaining democracy, requiring adherence to core democratic principles and negation of hereditary rule.
Ambedkar’s Critique of the Indian Caste System
Ambedkar critically analysed the caste system as a particularistic value in Hinduism, wherein the upper castes universalised their dominance and justified the alienation of certain groups. This undemocratic practice led to his efforts to integrate democratic processes from Buddhism into modern democracy discourse.
Religion’s Role in Democracy According to Ambedkar
Rather than completely removing religious elements, Ambedkar believed in reconstructing democracy by incorporating democratic aspects of religions like Buddhism. He emphasised the importance of distinguishing principles and rules and introduced transformative concepts like Prajna (thinking and understanding), Sila (good action), and Karuna (kindness) from the philosophy of Buddhism.
Conditions for Democracy to Function As Per Ambedkar
Ambedkar proposed several conditions for democracy to function properly. These included tackling societal inequalities, ensuring a strong opposition to prevent autocratic tendencies, upholding liberty for individuals, and maintaining equality in law and administration. He emphasised the role of constitutional morality, which provided the underlying foundation for the legal framework of the Constitution.
Previous Years’ UPSC Civil Services Examination Questions
To provide a better understanding of Ambedkar’s principles, two questions from previous years’ UPSC Civil Services Examination can help. In 2012, a question about the political parties established by Dr B.R. Ambedkar was asked, and the correct answer was the All India Scheduled Castes Federation and The Independent Labour Party.
In the main examination of 2015, there was a question about the common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden shared by Mahatma Gandhi and Dr B.R. Ambedkar despite their divergent approaches. In 2021, another question focused on explaining the doctrine of ‘Constitutional Morality’ with the help of relevant judicial decisions.
Last Modified: February 20, 2024