Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s Philosophy of Constitutionalism as an Instrument of Justice: Social, Economic and Political

Published date01 December 2020
AuthorBalmiki Prasad Singh
Date01 December 2020
DOI10.1177/0019556120976592
Subject MatterDocument
Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s
Philosophy of
Constitutionalism as an
Instrument of Justice:
Social, Economic and
Political
Balmiki Prasad Singh1
Introduction
The formative years of Dr B.R. Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb, are
significant for these offer an indication about the future development of his
persona, his journey of mind and his indomitable spirit. The story of his life is
indeed instructive. Babasaheb was an exceptional child who went on to shape his
own life and also of his fellow beings.
Life and Times
Charles Dickens (1812–1870), the famous novelist and social critic, through his
fictional character Pip in his book, Great Expectations, reveals the all-pervasive
character of injustice. Pip says ‘there is nothing so finely perceived and finely felt
as injustice’ (Dickens, 2008; also quoted in Sen, 2009, p. vii). The untouchables
in India faced injustice very deeply and at every stage of their life. They found it
very disturbing as it made them feel and experience that they were subordinates
not only in status but also in opportunities. It goes to the genius of Babasaheb that
he fought it bravely as a political leader and reflected upon it in more than 20
books that he wrote—a testimony to his analytical mind and strong commitment
to transform society and politics.
As is well known, Babasaheb was born in a poor Mahar untouchable caste
family on 14 April 1891 to Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai. Babasaheb’s
father Sakpal was then serving in the Indian Army at the Mhow cantonment. He
Document
Indian Journal of Public
Administration
66(4) 596–608, 2020
© 2020 IIPA
Reprints and permissions:
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DOI: 10.1177/0019556120976592
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1 Former Governor of Sikkim and Union Home Secretary, India.
Corresponding author:
Balmiki Prasad Singh, Former Governor of Sikkim and Union Home Secretary, India.
E-mail: bpsias@gmail.com

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