The Challenges Of Cultural Diversity

Question
CBSEENSO12044806

Comment on the piece of Constituent Assembly debates (1950) reproduced in text-book in which Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had raised salient points in defence of minorities in the light of movement recently launched by Gujjar community?

Solution

In perspective of the question, it would be pertinent to pick out the main parts from that extract as under—

(i) Aggrieved minorities can blow up the whole fabric of the state (मई खाल की श्वाँस से सार भसम ह्वै जाय) i.e. hide of a dead animal is capable to turn iron into ashes when fitted with the propeller of primitive smelter)

(ii) French Revolution, American War of Independence and Russian Revolution are evident to the dethowning power of so-called commoners or majority.

(iii) Minority in India has so far (during 1950) made compromise with their existence in the hands of majority while they should reply like Carson of Ireland and choose partition in place of kneeling in submission to majority.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar being a jurist, scholar, political leader and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He was all right in his response to situation prevailing that time. Not only he but our father of the nation had also addressed dalits as Harijan (i.e. children of god) and protested against untouchability. It is also worth noticing that initially ten year's period was fixed for bringing all SC, ST people in the mainstream. However, by bringing continuous amendments in constitution, they are still in the schedule. One cannot deny the fact the these people are not any way different than other people or citizens of this country. Rich and poor can be found in all communities and even people from so-called majority are more in number in terms of B.P.L. They should therefore, resort to introspection and determine, they and their conscious would no more lik to put that label of scheduled caste and scheduled tribe on their forehand. Patiently, in this phase of liberalisation when government has squeezed all subsidies for agricultural inputs, C.C.S. etc. from agricultural sector, all our peasants are committing subcide.

Again, the recent movement launched by Gujjar community reveals that common people have now desired to get them listed in Constitution as scheduled Tribe by use of force. Countries abroad referred to, by our Constitution makers, would perhaps refer such events while taking minority issues for debate in future. They would no doubt hesitate bringing any such provisions in their Constitutions through an Amendment thereupon.

Conclusion : In this phase of globalisation, instead of gathering examples from history of the world, that too with raving enquiry; can do no good for the most complex society in India unless cosmo-conscience as suggested by Rabindra Nath Tagore is developed through self-reflexivity or introspection in depth.

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