Modi, Adityanath "undermining" Ambedkar's view on theocratic state, Constitutional values

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*
As the ruling leaders continue to violate the principles of Constitution, converting them into a hierarchical Brahmanical state, it is time for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the ideals of Constitutional morality as defined by Baba Saheb Ambedkar, who felt a theocratic state of Hindutva variety would be as dangerous and detrimental to India as Islamic theocracy.
The incidents of the past few days have shocked all of us. We are witnessing this prejudice and partiality in our administration as well as the language of the ministers. A police inspector, who was honestly doing his duty and sacrificed his life so that a city does not burn to the communal hatred, was not even noticed and acknowledged by the state government of Uttar Pradesh!
Chief minister Yogi Adityanath, rather than ordering an inquiry into the murder of inspector Subodh Kant Singh, actually sought to investigate cow slaughtering. What kind of man is he who is going around the country and digging up pasts and deliberately speaking up poisonous language. The problem is that our Constitutional bodies have totally surrendered to those in power, so these people are let off without any punitive action against them. The action, if ever taken, actually benefit the culprits politically.
The Bulandshahar incident has shown us that till next elections the ruling party will ensure such things to happen with the chief minister or prime minister will not have time to speak up on these issues. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his last four-and-a-half years, has rarely spoken on issues of public concern. Perhaps his advisers think that he and Adityanath should continue to dig things, speak about Nehru and Muslims.
Every five years we have elections and people are supposed to respond to how the governments work, but Modi still wants to fight a wrestling match with Nehru, who is not there to respond to his slanders.
The Sangh Parivar and its offshoots have been attempting everything stop the assertion of Ambedkarites. It was on this day that they demolished Babari Masjid so many years ago. On any civilised society, the first question the courts should have asked, is why not rebuild the mosque?
The criminals, who destroyed the mosque, are roaming around, claiming heroes' status and getting political mileage. They want the judgement to be given according to their faith, and that is why Supreme Court is being pushed to deliver a favorable judgement. If the judgement come against them, they will put the country on fire. All the politicians, particularly those of the Sanghi variety, respect courts and court verdicts if they suit them, otherwise Manusmriti and its caste-based morality is the most likable thing for them.
India is passing through a very tough phase when those in power are determined to divide it as much as possible. They are proving that Aryans were invaders and have no love lost for the nation or matribhumi. Any ruler, on assume responsibility, would want to make society or country better and peaceful, but here they are determined. The virus of ideology has spread across various instruments of state apparatus like army, police, administration. Media is already a gone case.
Those of us who feel that there is hope continue to fight despite all the depressions. This is a solemn occasion for all of us, as Baba Saheb departed today, yet we need to defend his legacy, the constitution, its inclusiveness, its respect for diversity as well as our faith in equality, liberty and fraternity. Those who are against these principles are instigating masses, injecting them with the poison of religion and threatening everyone.
How long will India remain caged in tainted ideas? Let us hope that a fitting tribute to Baba Saheb Ambedkar would only be possible in real sense the day India is truly administered by Constitutional principles and not through Babas and Mahants, who have no respect for them, even when they came to power through the value of Constitutional principles. We hope people's power will ultimately win and establish the rule of the law in the country which at the moment is in serious crisis.
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*Well known human rights defender. Source: Author's Facebook timeline

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