Authors : Dr. S. B. Mohitkar

Page Nos : 168-173

Description :
This present research paper will bring into light Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s views on democracy in general and his contribution for the upliftment of the downtrodden masses of the society in perticular. Aristotle, a renowned Greek philosopher, criticized democracy as the most degenerated form of governance. On the contrary, Abraham Lincoln defined democracy as “Democracy is a government of the people, by the people and for the people”. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also expressed that a democracy is a mode of administering a country. He walked away from the conventional concepts of democracy and viewed it as an instrument of bringing about change peacefully. What kind of a democracy do we wish for? Following the footprints of these great philosophers, Dr. Ambedkar, the way he thought about and looked at all the problems and issues of a prosperous independent India with a different perspective, very few thinkers have reflected on the problems and issues of socio-political history of modern India. With the mission of complete eradication of casteism and untouchability from the society and to create a powerful and united modern India, he did not take part in the Indian freedom struggle under the leadership of Mahatma Gandhi. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, being a true patriot, supported India’s struggle for independence. At the same time, he argued that unless we make socially, economically deprived classes liberate from the age old socio-economical inequalities, the Indian freedom struggle will remain just the pages of the book of history. His question, “What will be the position and place of the untouchables and the depressed classes in the post independent India?” posed, left the leading figures in the freedom movement unanswered. The changes, after 60-62 years of independence, in the lives of these classes, is the fruit Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s work did bear. Key words: Democracy, Governance, Ethics

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