Social, Economic and Political Justice
Views of Dr Ambedkar
Amitosh Kumar - 20/262 – Z4B
Index TermsSocial Justice, Varna System, Drawbacks of Varna System, Casteism, untouchability, DPSP,
Constitution, Economic Justice, political justice, social justice, liberty, equality, fraternity, practice
of untouchability, minorities, state, socialist, power, identity, separate electorates.
Abstract
Babasaheb, the respected father, as people fondly call him, reflects the greatness of Dr.
Ambedkar. As He was born to a subedar in a Mahar family, he had to rise from the deep meadows
of casteist discriminatory upbringing in the hindu society under the british raj.
His remarkable work in the field of social reforms and upliftment of untouchables has made him
this father figure as he is seen today by the people, especially the dalits. This paper discusses
in thoroughness and sheer perspicacity of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s thoughts, views
and notions, on Social, economic and political justice.
Dr Ambedkar’s idea of social justice revolves around the notions of ‘Liberté, égalité et fraternité’
liberty, equality and fraternity in the daily lives of the people as he believed that these are
interconnected and in totality correlate with the theme of social equality for one and all.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, was a visionary man, he was an Indian social reformer, economist,
and politician who is widely regarded as one of the greatest advocates of social justice in India.
His views on social justice, political justice, and economic justice have had a profound impact on
Indian society, and his work has inspired countless people around the world to fight for a more
just and equal society. In this essay, we will explore Ambedkar's views on these three principles
and examine how they were interconnected and essential for building a just and equal society.
Ambedkar faced numerous difficulties throughout his life due to his lower caste background and
his outspoken criticism of the Hindu society and caste system. Let’s study the difficulties faced by
Ambedkar and his views on the Hindu society and caste system.
Difficulties Faced by Ambedkar
Ambedkar was born into a family belonging to the Mahar caste, which was considered to be an
"untouchable" or "Dalit" community in India. As a result, he faced discrimination and social
exclusion from a young age. Ambedkar was denied entry into temples and schools due to his
caste, and he was often forced to sit separately from upper-caste students in classrooms.
Despite these difficulties, Ambedkar was a brilliant student and went on to earn multiple degrees,
including a PhD in economics from Columbia University in New York. However, even with his
impressive academic credentials, Ambedkar faced discrimination in his professional life. He was
often denied employment opportunities and faced hostility from upper-caste colleagues.
Ambedkar's outspoken criticism of the Hindu society and caste system also made him a target of
criticism and opposition. He argued that the caste system was a form of social inequality and
discrimination that had no place in a modern democratic society. His views were often met with
resistance from conservative Hindu leaders who saw the caste system as an essential part of
Hindu culture and tradition.
Views on Hindu Society and Caste System
Ambedkar's views on the Hindu society and caste system were shaped by his personal
experiences of discrimination and exclusion. He believed that the caste system was a form of
social inequality that was deeply ingrained in Hindu society and had no place in a modern
democratic society.
Ambedkar believed that the caste system was not just a social hierarchy but also a system of
economic exploitation. He argued that the upper castes used the caste system to maintain their
economic and social privileges at the expense of the lower castes. Ambedkar believed that the
caste system perpetuated a cycle of poverty and oppression that prevented the lower castes from
achieving social and economic mobility.
Ambedkar also believed that the Hindu society was inherently discriminatory and oppressive
towards women. He argued that the patriarchal nature of the society placed women in a
subordinate position and denied them equal rights and opportunities. Ambedkar believed that the
Hindu society needed to be reformed to ensure gender equality and women's empowerment.
Ambedkar's Solutions
Ambedkar believed that the only way to eradicate the caste system and achieve social justice
was through the abolition of the caste system and the creation of a society based on equality and
social justice. He argued that the caste system could not be reformed but had to be completely
abolished.
Ambedkar also believed that political power was essential for achieving social justice. He believed
that the lower castes needed to be politically empowered to challenge the dominant upper castes
and demand their rights. Ambedkar was a strong advocate of the reservation system, which
reserved a certain percentage of government jobs and educational opportunities for the lower
castes. He argued that the reservation system was necessary to ensure that the lower castes had
equal access to resources and opportunities.
In addition to the reservation system, Ambedkar also advocated for inter-caste marriages as a
means of breaking down the barriers of the caste system. He believed that inter-caste marriages
would lead to the creation of a more inclusive and egalitarian society.
Ambedkar's Belief in Democracy
Ambedkar was a strong advocate of democracy and believed that it was the only political system
that could guarantee political justice. He argued that democracy was not just a system of
government but a way of life, where individuals were free to express their opinions and participate
in the decision-making process. Ambedkar believed that democracy was not just about elections
but also about the rule of law, the protection of individual rights, and the promotion of social justice.
Ambedkar believed that democracy was essential for achieving political justice because it allowed
all individuals to participate in the political process and have a say in the decisions that affected
their lives. He believed that political power should be distributed equally among all individuals,
regardless of their caste, religion, or gender. Ambedkar argued that democracy was the only way
to ensure that the interests of all individuals were represented in the decision-making process.
Ambedkar's Belief in Constitutionalism
Ambedkar was also a strong advocate of constitutionalism and believed that a written constitution
was essential for protecting individual rights and ensuring political justice. He played a key role in
drafting the Indian Constitution, which enshrines principles of democracy, secularism, and social
justice. The Constitution also guarantees fundamental rights to all individuals, regardless of their
caste, religion, or gender.
Ambedkar believed that a written constitution was essential for protecting individual rights
because it provided a framework for limiting the power of the state and ensuring that the rights of
all individuals were protected. He believed that the constitution was the foundation of a democratic
society and that it was the responsibility of the state to ensure that the constitution was upheld.
Ambedkar's Views on the Role of the State
Ambedkar believed that the state had a responsibility to ensure that political justice was achieved.
He believed that the state had a duty to promote democracy and ensure that all individuals had
equal political rights and representation. Ambedkar believed that the state should be accountable
to the people and that it should be transparent in its decision-making process.
Ambedkar also believed that the state had a role to play in promoting social justice and economic
justice. He believed that the state should promote policies that would help to reduce inequality
and ensure that all individuals had equal access to resources and opportunities. Ambedkar
argued that the state should work to eliminate all forms of discrimination and create a society
where all individuals had equal rights and opportunities.
Ambedkar's Views on Minority Rights
Ambedkar was a strong advocate of minority rights and believed that the state had a responsibility
to protect the rights of minority communities. He believed that minority communities were often
marginalized and faced discrimination, and that the state had a duty to ensure that their rights
were protected.
Ambedkar believed that minority rights were essential for achieving political justice because they
ensured that all individuals had equal political rights and representation. He argued that minority
communities should be given equal opportunities to participate in the political process and that
their voices should be heard in the decision-making process.
Ambedkar's Views on Electoral Reforms
Ambedkar believed that electoral reforms were essential for achieving political justice. He argued
that the electoral system should be reformed to ensure that all individuals had equal political rights
and representation.
Social Justice
Ambedkar's views on social justice were shaped by his own experience of being born into an
untouchable caste, which was considered the lowest in the Hindu caste system. Ambedkar
believed that social justice could only be achieved by ending caste-based discrimination and
creating a society where all individuals had equal social status and opportunities. He argued that
the caste system was not only a social evil but also a hindrance to economic and political
development.
One of Ambedkar's key contributions to the fight for social justice was his advocacy for affirmative
action policies, which he believed were necessary to level the playing field for historically
disadvantaged groups. Ambedkar believed that affirmative action was not only a moral imperative
but also a necessary step towards creating a more just and equal society.
Ambedkar's views on social justice were also shaped by his belief in individual rights and
freedoms. He believed that all individuals were entitled to equal rights and opportunities,
regardless of their caste, religion, or gender. Ambedkar argued that social justice could only be
achieved by granting equal rights to all individuals and ensuring that they were protected by the
law.
Political Justice
Ambedkar's views on political justice were shaped by his belief in democracy and his own
experience of being excluded from the political process due to his caste status. Ambedkar
believed that political justice could only be achieved by granting all individuals equal political rights
and representation.
Ambedkar was a strong advocate of democracy and believed that it was the only political system
that could guarantee political justice. He argued that democracy was not just a system of
government but a way of life, where individuals were free to express their opinions and participate
in the decision-making process. Ambedkar believed that democracy was not just about elections
but also about the rule of law, the protection of individual rights, and the promotion of social justice.
Ambedkar was also a strong advocate of constitutionalism and believed that a written constitution
was essential for protecting individual rights and ensuring political justice. He played a key role in
drafting the Indian Constitution, which enshrines principles of democracy, secularism, and social
justice. The Constitution also guarantees fundamental rights to all individuals, regardless of their
caste, religion, or gender.
Economic Justice
Ambedkar's views on economic justice were shaped by his own experience of poverty and his
study of economic systems. Ambedkar believed that economic justice could only be achieved by
creating a society where all individuals had equal economic opportunities and access to
resources.
Ambedkar believed that economic justice could only be achieved by promoting economic growth
and development. He argued that economic growth was not an end in itself but a means to
achieve economic justice. Ambedkar believed that economic growth could only be sustained by
promoting social justice and political justice, as these three principles were interconnected and
essential for building a just and equal society.
Conclusion and Resolve
Ambedkar was a strong advocate of land reform and believed that land should be distributed more
equally to ensure economic justice. He also believed that industrialization was necessary for
economic growth and development but argued that it should not be at the expense of social and
economic justice.
Ambedkar's work on social justice can be traced back to his childhood. He was born into a family
belonging to the "untouchable" Dalit community. Throughout his life, he faced discrimination and
humiliation due to his caste. However, he was determined to fight against the caste system and
the injustices that it perpetuated. Ambedkar believed that social justice was the cornerstone of a
democratic society, and he worked tirelessly to create a society that was more equal and just.
One of Ambedkar's most significant contributions towards social justice was the drafting of the
Indian Constitution. He played a crucial role in framing the Constitution, which is widely regarded
as one of the most progressive and inclusive Constitutions in the world. Ambedkar ensured that
the Constitution provided equal rights and opportunities to all citizens, irrespective of their caste,
gender, religion, or economic status. He also ensured that the Constitution provided for affirmative
action and reservations for the marginalized communities, which helped them to overcome the
historical disadvantages they faced.
Ambedkar's work on social justice also extended to the economic sphere. He believed that
economic equality was essential for social justice to be realized. He advocated for land reforms
and the redistribution of wealth to ensure that the marginalized communities had access to
resources and opportunities. He also championed the cause of workers' rights and fought against
exploitation in the workplace.
Another area where Ambedkar's work on social justice had a significant impact was education.
He believed that education was the key to empowering the oppressed communities and enabling
them to break free from the cycle of poverty and discrimination. Ambedkar worked tirelessly to
promote education among the Dalits and other marginalized communities, and he established
several schools and colleges to provide quality education to them.
In conclusion, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's work on social justice has been monumental. He
dedicated his life to fighting against the caste system and the injustices it perpetuated,
and he worked tirelessly to create a more equal and just society. His contributions towards
the drafting of the Indian Constitution, the promotion of economic equality, and the
empowerment of marginalized communities through education have had a significant
impact on Indian society. Ambedkar's legacy continues to inspire millions of people in
India and around the world to fight for social justice and create a more equal and just
society.