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Ambedkar's rejection of the demand for separate electorates ,his
conpromise with national leadership in the later period were significant.If
this would have been brought into practice before , the whole national
movement would have taken a definite turn. His rejection of Marxism
and embracing Buddhism were reactionary steps.He had no class programme
. "It is inconceiveable how he could achive socialism by repudiating
Marxism and making Buddhism an alternative to Marxism. "in a way
he had led "the whole movement of workers and peasants into reactionary
and metaphysical conceptions, The dischotomy between the leadership
of the depressed classes and exploited classes increased.
The untouchables under the leadership of Ambedkar had chosen the
path of westernization than Sanskritisation. Remorm in the innercaste
groups, insistenence on the leadership within the groups.political
demands , rejection os orthodox religion , have given his movement
a definite shape . Separatist tendencies were and are visible ;
but they could be controlleld with the help of intengrating forces.
Ambedkar
had submitted to the R.T.C. a scheme of political safeguards for
the protection of the Depressed Classes in the future Constitution
of a self-governing India. He demanded (1) equal citizenship, and
fundamental rights declaring the practice of 'untouchablity' as
illegal ; (2) free enjoyment of "Equal Rights protected by adequate
constitutional remendies;(3) protection against discrimination ;(4)
adequate representation to the Depressed classes in the Legislatures
; adult suffrage and sepreate electorates to the Depressed Classes
for ten years;(5) adequate representation in services; (6) redress
against prejudicial action or neglect of interest - facilities of
education, etc.; (7) special departmental care, special minister
and welfare bureaus; and (8) seat in the cabinet. If we can clearly
remark that all these have been already brought into practice -
thanks to the untiring efforts of Ambedkar and progressive democratic
traditions of Indian nationalism. The Karachi Congress Resolution
on fundamental rights was passed as earlyas April 1931. Gandhiji
made removal of untouchability as one of the programmes of the national
movement. He said in 1920, "Without the removal of that taint
swaraj is a meaningless sign".
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Is
India social idealiam and political idealism were opposed to each
other. Ambedkar earnestly wished that the political idealism of
the majority would become the social idealism of the majority would
become the social.idealism of all. The essence of his all-India
ledaership could be seen in his loyalty to his community. He always
placed the freedom and welfare of his community above the attainment
of swaraj. But when swaraj was in sight he made a compromise with
the national leadership.
The
Preamble of the Indian Constitution is a unique instance. Dr Ambedkar
was a contributor to the above trend.
National
integration was a burning problem. Education and economic development,
rational and empirical outlook, modern science and technology, secular
outlook to socio-economic problems and constittutional approach
contributed much to national integration.
Ambedkar
discarded sepratist tendencies, and tried to become one with the
national trend. In this respect his contribution to national integration
was great.
He
vitalised the national life of India. His constructive statemanship
carved a definite place for him in the line of the nation builders.
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