‘Babasaheb Ambedkar's socialism was for the welfare of the nation, state and people, not for personal politics': Prakash Ambedkar

Indian Express

14 hours ago

As the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) commemorated 50 years of Emergency in June, RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale has called for a review of the terms 'secular' and 'socialism' in Preamble, putting the party in a dilemma. Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi president and grandson of Dr BR Ambedkar, Prakash Ambedkar, talks about the controversial issues in an interview to Shubhangi Khapre.
Q) How do you look at RSS general secretary Dattatreya Hosabale's call for reviewing the term 'secular' and 'socialism' in the Preamble?
It is neither shocking nor surprising as the RSS has never adopted the Indian Constitution in totality. But I would like them to read the BJP Party Constitution, which mentions socialism and secularism.
Q) Is it not a fact that terms socialism and secular were not in the original Preamble? Why?
When Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was asked about this, he said, 'When each and every article contains the word secularism and socialism both in letter and spirit, where was the necessity otherwise?' Instead, he emphasised on its effective implementation. There were heated debates even in the past over these words. But those questioning and citing Babasaheb Ambedkar for excluding socialism and secularism from the Preamble have neither studied nor understood the life and works of the architect of the Indian Constitution. The Constitution itself holds a universal message. It is all encompassing and inclusive.
Q) How did Ambedkar view socialism?
Babasaheb Ambedkar's socialism was for the welfare of the nation, state and people. This is evident from the economic model where he defined roles and rights of the Centre, state, public and private sector. His socialism was not for serving personal politics. His concept was for overall human welfare. His economic model was three parts — essential lifeline of nation, central government, necessary industrial welfare of people, state government, and ancillary units/industries, private sector. His was not short-term approach. He was farsighted.
Q) Technically, these two words were inserted by Congress PM Indira Gandhi?
When Indira Gandhi took charge of the new regime in 1971, she embarked on a nationalisation policy — from banks to abolishing privy purses in the erstwhile princely states. These words made way to the Preamble, keeping the political context and decisions taken then.
Q) What are your objections to the RSS ?
Whether it is RSS or the BJP, they are all working on a broader common agenda. The BJP is moving towards authoritarian rule. They are against democracy. The Indian Constitution is the biggest hurdle in their agenda as it guarantees democracy and rights to equality, brotherhood and justice. The right wing wants to thrust on nation and its people their own agenda, which is regressive.
Q) Even Shankaracharya Swami Avimukteshwarananda has called for replacing secularism with 'dharma'?
What Shankaracharya has stated is part of the same RSS/ BJP game plan. They want to replace Constitution with Sanatan… As I said there are two streams in this country — one is the religious stream upper caste Brahminical dominated rites and rituals, the other tradition is of saints and seers who advocated reforms, ended caste-based discrimination and united people. Now, the right wing agenda is to bring authoritarian rule in every sector.
Q) Whether it is Centre or state, the BJP has adopted Ambedkar and hailed the Constitution as globally best work?
This is their strategy. They know there are people who are committed to Ambedkar's Constitution. So, while the RSS keeps questioning it, a section tries to keep upholding the Constitution. Ultimately, their larger plot is to get rid of Constitution or modify it to their advantage.
Q) What is the Opposition doing? Including your party.
I admit the Opposition has lost the political will to fight RSS/BJP wholeheartedly. The Congress, which is the largest pan-Indian party, is picking on smaller issues. They are clearly overlooking at bigger issues. There is leadership issue in Congress. The NCP ( SP) also seems to have reconciled to political realities. As far as Vanchit Bahujan Aghadi is concerned, we have limitations. We are not a national party. Yet, I have been raising my voice and speaking my mind on critical subjects.