Today, April 14th, is Ambedkar Jayanti, a celebration honouring the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, affectionately called Babasaheb Ambedkar.
On this day, Ambedkar is remembered in various ways. In some places, his statues are garlanded, and slogans of “Jai Bhim” echo in the air. Some political groups seize the opportunity to align themselves with his name and ideals.
Ambedkar was so against “hero-worship” that he would have never loved the slogan of “Jai Bhim” for himself. On one side, the statues of Babasaheb are garlanded, while on the other hand, his ideals are forgotten.
Babasaheb is known for his foremost role in the making of the Indian Constitution. He was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly, which was responsible to draft the Constitution.
The Indian Constitution was crafted by incorporating elements from various esteemed constitutions worldwide. Likewise, the federal scheme and judiciary structure was inspired by the Government of India Act of 1935; judicial review and the impeachment process was inspired by the constitution of the US; cabinet system, rule of law, and parliamentary privileges were shaped by the British constitution; directive principles of state policy were inspired by the Irish Constitution; amendment procedure was shaped by the constitution of South Africa; fundamental duties were shaped by the Soviet Constitution, and ideals of liberty, equality, and fraternity derived from the French constitution.
These global influences have resulted in the Indian Constitution being one of the most comprehensive. The constitution came to light with 395 articles and 8 schedules (currently 12), providing a robust framework for governance.
Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: 3 Warnings Of Babasaheb
Every advocate of democracy should listen and understand Babasaheb’s last speech in the Constituent Assembly. On 25 November 1949, a day before the Constituent Assembly concluded its work, Babasaheb delivered a powerful speech, ending it with three warnings for the future.
First Warning
“The first thing, in my judgement, we must do is to hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives,” said Ambedkar. In his view, in an independent country, there was certainly no room left for bloody methods of revolution. However, in his view, there was also no room for Gandhian methods like civil disobedience, non-cooperation and satyagraha, because constitutional solutions were now available for every problem.
Second Warning
Babasaheb’s second warning was related to “hero-worship”. He was of the view that one should not surrender thyself even to a charismatic power without thinking. Babasaheb was convinced by John Stuart Mill’s idea who asked people, “not to lay their liberties at the feet of even a great man, or to trust him with power which enable him to subvert their institutions.”
Babasaheb believed that in India, devotion or hero-worship significantly influences politics, more than in any other country. He was of the view that bhakti in religion may be a road to the salvation of the soul, but in politics, it is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.
Third Warning
Babasaheb’s third warning came as an appeal to Indians. He said that people should not to be satisfied with mere political democracy, but they should strive for freedom from social and economic inequality as well.
Why Echoes Of Jai Bhim Contradicts Babasaheb’s Ideals?
Babasaheb was a major opponent of “hero-worship”, and the echoes of “Jai Bhim” contradicts his ideal. Although people adopt such ways to show respect to Babasaheb, which may be well-intentioned. However, his views on such gestures appear to be quite different.
ALSO READ: Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp Messages And Quotes To Honour Babasaheb’s Legacy
