Take a look at the essential events, concepts, terms, quotes, or phenomena every day and brush up your knowledge. Here’s your knowledge nugget for today. Knowledge Nugget: Ambedkar's views on Democracy and Buddhism Subject: History (Relevance: BR Ambedkar’s views and his contribution to the drafting of the Indian Constitution forms a significant part of the UPSC syllabus. His works and quotes are frequently used in Mains answer writing to substantiate responses. UPSC has often asked questions about his political organizations, key writings, and his fight against the caste system. Therefore, it becomes important to know about him and his views.) Why in the news? Every year, April 14 is marked as Ambedkar Jayanti to celebrate the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution’ and the first Law Minister of Independent India. It is also known as Equality Day, as Dr Ambedkar spent his life fighting for the rights of women, labour, and oppressed communities in India – eradicating social discrimination and thereby advocating equality for all the citizens of India in the eyes of the law. On the occasion of his 135th birth anniversary, let's take a look at his views on democracy and Buddhism. Key Takeaways : 1. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as BR Ambedkar remains one of the most instrumental figures in India's democracy. Born on April 14, 1891, Ambedkar donned several hats. He was a jurist, economist, a politician and a social reformer. 2. Babasaheb’s most significant contribution lay in galvanising the movement for Dalit emancipation. He is credited with awakening the Dalit consciousness, which powered the community’s bid for political power. 3. Ambedkar’s legal expertise and knowledge of the constitutional laws of different countries guided him in the drafting of the Constitution. He is regarded as the architect of the Indian Constitution. His major contributions can be seen in the area of Fundamental Rights, strong central government and protecting the rights of minorities. Although he passed away on December 6, 1956, his popularity has remained unfazed over the years, and has greatly intrigued and inspired academics, social reformers and politicians. Do you Know? The Mahad Satyagraha of 1927 was the first major collective protest of the Dalits under the stewardship of Ambedkar. It is considered to be the “foundational event” of the Dalit movement. This was the first time that the community collectively displayed its resolve to reject the caste system and assert their human rights. Although anti-caste protests had taken place before the Mahad Satyagraha, they were mostly localised and sporadic. Ambedkar's views on Democracy Ambedkar in one of his speech talked about how democracy was not a new concept for India but had existed in ancient times. “There was a time when India was studded with republics. It is not that India did not know Parliaments or Parliamentary Procedure. A study of the Buddhist Bhikshu Sanghas discloses that not only there were Parliaments — for the Sanghas were nothing but Parliaments — but the Sanghas knew and observed all the rules of Parliamentary Procedure known to modern times.” Ambedkar said that the Buddha must have borrowed this form of functioning “from the rules of the Political Assemblies functioning in the country in his time.” Highlighting the significance of social democracy for achieving political democracy, Ambedkar said political democracy would not last “unless there lies at the base of it social democracy”, which means a way of life that “recognises liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.” Ambedkar's views on Buddhism and Marxism In an essay, written in his lucid and methodical style, Ambedkar has compared Buddhism with Marxism, saying that while both strive for the same end of a just and happy society, the means propounded by Buddha are superior to those of Marx. “The Marxists may easily laugh at it and may ridicule the very idea of treating Marx and Buddha on the same level. Marx so modern and Buddha so ancient! The Marxists may say that the Buddha as compared to their master must be just primitive…. If the Marxists keep back their prejudices and study the Buddha and understand what he stood for I feel sure that they will change their attitude,” Ambedkar writes. While Ambedkar's views on Buddhism being superior to other religions are well-known, Ambedkar also believed the Buddha’s path to be superior to the major religion-rejecting philosophy, Marxism. Ambedkar's views on Education Ambedkar was the first Dalit to study at Bombay’s Elphinstone College, and he went to Columbia University on a Baroda State Scholarship and then to the London School of Economics. He was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution of India, and he became the first law minister of independent India. He always championed education as a way to empowerment and societal progress and set up the ‘Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha’ in 1923 to spread education amongst the marginalised communities. A lawyer, economist, and political philosopher, he wrote numerous books and gave countless speeches. Notably, Ambedkar also wrote three books on economics namely, Administration and Finance of the East India Company, The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India and The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution. BEYOND THE NUGGET: ‘Fraternity is only another name for democracy’- Dr B.R Ambedkar. What this Quote Means? (FYI: Quotes from famous historical figures are an important component of the syllabus for the UPSC CSE Essay paper. Additionally, themes related to various values such as democracy, justice and fraternity appear in various forms in the UPSC examination. Notably, Dr Ambedkar’s ideas have also found a place in many competitive examinations over the years. Here, we take a look at one of its most potent quotes, “Fraternity is only another name for democracy”, and explain the meaning behind it.) The quote In Annihilation of Caste, Dr B R Ambedkar has written: “An ideal society should be mobile, should be full of channels for conveying a change taking place in one part to other parts. In an ideal society there should be many interests consciously communicated and shared. There should be varied and free points of contact with other modes of association. In other words there should be social endosmosis. This is fraternity, which is only another name for democracy. Democracy is not merely a form of Government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards fellowmen.” Arushi Bhaskar writes- "In its most literal sense, fraternity refers to a feeling of friendship and mutual support that exists between members of a group. In the context of Dr Ambedkar’s writings, it also refers to individuals in Indian society breaking free of the caste system and practising social harmony and contact in a freer and more inclusive way. “An ideal society should be mobile” is a direct indictment of the caste system, wherein people are restricted to a certain position in society by virtue of the family they are born into. Dr Ambedkar adds that there should be “channels for conveying a change taking place” and “varied and free points of contact with other modes of association”. The caste system involves stringent rules regarding contact and communication between different castes and sub-castes. For Ambedkar, a democratic nation meant the removal of such hierarchies. This vision was encapsulated in the phrase “social endosmosis”, or the freedom to move about and through different groups in society, which Dr Ambedkar likened to the idea of fraternity. He envisioned a society where there was social contact independent of the caste hierarchy, with individuals free to form associations which would not be negatively impacted by their ‘birth’ position. The Preamble to the Constitution says that the Indian republic aims to promote fraternity, “assuring the dignity of the individual and the unity and integrity of the Nation”. So, even though the Preamble is not a legally enforceable document, fraternity has been enshrined as a core Constitutional value. Moreover, the Preamble also specifies that the nation will secure not just political and economic justice for its citizens, but also social. This is significant, keeping in mind the context of deep divisions in Indian society." Post Read Questions (1) Consider the following statements about Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar: 1. He became the first law minister of independent India. 2. The most significant contribution of the B.R. Ambedkar lay in galvanising the movement for Dalit emancipation. 3. He led the Mahad Satyagraha of 1927. 4. He is the author of Administration and Finance of the East India Company. How many of the statements given above are correct? (a) Only one (b) Only two (c) Only three (d) All four (2) Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar? (UPSC CSE 2012) 1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India 2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation 3. The Independent Labour Party Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 2 and 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3 Answer Key 1. (d) 2. (b) (Sources: UPSC Essentials | Said by Dr BR Ambedkar, This Quote Means: ‘Fraternity is only another name for democracy’, Mahaparinirvan Diwas: What Ambedkar said about Buddhism ‘being better than Marxism’, On Constitution Day, recalling Ambedkar’s 3 warnings about India’s future, Mahad Satyagraha of 1927, 🚨 Click Here to read the UPSC Essentials magazine for March 2025. Share your views and suggestions in the comment box or at manas.srivastava@indianexpress.com🚨 Subscribe to our UPSC newsletter and stay updated with the news cues from the past week. Stay updated with the latest UPSC articles by joining our Telegram channel – Indian Express UPSC Hub, and follow us on Instagram and X.
