There was a lot of debate in Parliament today on Dr. Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, the founder of the Indian Constitution. The Congress party and its leaders said Union Home Minister Amit Shah had made wrong remarks about Baba Saheb and he should apologize for it. In this regard, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, while addressing the media, said that he did not insult Baba Saheb, but the Congress kept insulting Baba Saheb. But what is Baba Saheb’s point? BR Ambedkar, the founder of the Indian Constitution, envisioned a society that promoted social and economic equality, especially for the poor and backward classes. His vision, embodied in the concept of “Antyodaya”, aimed to improve the living standards of the poorest of the poor and reduce the gap between the rich and the poor.
Aspects of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar’s Vision
1. Make an appointment: Ambedkar advocated reservation policy to ensure representation and opportunities for backward classes in education and employment.
2. Economic Empowerment: He emphasized the need for economic development to improve the livelihoods of the poor and marginalized.
3. Social Justice: Ambedkar’s vision emphasized the importance of social justice, equality and human rights, especially for women and Dalits.
Initiatives of the Government of India on the Vision of Baba Saheb Bhimrao Ambedkar
The Indian government has taken several impactful initiatives to empower Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) communities, focusing on education, economic development, social welfare and legal protection. These efforts aim to address historical inequalities, improve living standards and promote inclusion.
1. Economic Empowerment
- The government implemented many programs aimed at boosting the economy. Mudra Yojana and the ‘Stand Up India’ scheme, for example, enable people from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities to become job creators rather than job seekers. More than 50% of Yojana beneficiaries are from Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, which has brought positive changes in their lives and promoted employment.
- The objective of the National Center for Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes is to enhance the entrepreneurial capabilities of Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST) communities, promote their economic empowerment and create employment opportunities. As on October 31, 2024, a total of 1,34,818 Scheduled Caste-Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries have been assisted. In the financial year 2023-2024, 11,488 SC/ST-owned MSEs procured supplies worth Rs 1721.62 crore.
- National Safai Karmachari Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC): It provides credit facilities to Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries for income-generating activities such as self-employment and entrepreneurship.
- National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC): It finances income-generating activities for Scheduled Caste beneficiaries living below twice the poverty line.
- Ambedkar Young Entrepreneurs League (AYEL): IFCI Venture Fund recognized 67 winners of AYEL, a competition that encourages innovative business ideas among young SC candidates. The initiative aims to promote entrepreneurship and economic empowerment among South Carolina’s youth, in line with Ambedkar’s vision of uplifting society and the economy.
2. Educational Initiatives
- Significant investments have been made in education for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe communities. The budget allocation for education in these communities has been increased from Rs 1,100 crore to Rs 6,000 crore.
- The Eklavya Model School Program aims to construct 452 new schools and renovate 211 existing schools to provide quality education to the children of these communities.
- A recent All India Higher Education Survey showed that the proportion of students from marginalized communities (Dalit castes, Dalit tribes and other backward classes) has exceeded the national average in the past five years. The highest increase was among ST students at 41.6%; the number of students from marginalized communities increased from 5.28 million in 2017-18 to 6.622 million in 2021-22.
- National Scholarships and Scholarships for Higher Education for ST Students: The budgetary allocation for this scheme has been increased by 13.7% from Rs 145 crore in 2023-24 to Rs 165 crore in 2024-25.
- The government, through the SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Higher Secondary School Students in Targeted Areas) scheme (2023), has allowed private schools to enroll more than 2,500 Scheduled Caste (SC) students.
3. Infrastructure construction
- The government has invested 73 billion rupees to focus on developing villages with predominantly ethnic minority populations as “model villages”. This includes improvements to infrastructure and infrastructure, which have a direct positive impact on the quality of life in these communities.
Achievement:
Many SC/ST model villages reported significant progress in education, including increased school enrollment, improved infrastructure and improved teacher training. For example, in one village in Madhya Pradesh, the literacy rate among SC/ST students increased from 30% to 70%.
4. Social Justice
- The government has taken steps to highlight the contributions of freedom fighters from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribe communities, which had earlier been ignored. This helps foster a sense of pride and recognition in these communities.
- The government celebrated ‘Samajik Nyay Pakhwada’ (Two weeks dedicated to social justice) to mark its founding day, underscoring its commitment to eradicate social inequality and promote social harmony.
- The government has also launched schemes like Vinay Samarya Yojana and Ganga Kalyan Yojana to eliminate untouchability.
- Rehabilitation and Development of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes Monasteries and Institutions: The government has provided special assistance for the rehabilitation and development of Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes monasteries and institutions, contributing to the social and educational sectors. The move is aimed at protecting and promoting the cultural heritage of these communities.
- Restoration of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act: After the Supreme Court diluted the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Act in 2018, the government restored the Act in its original form in Parliament, ensuring continued protection of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes from atrocities.
5. Make an appointment
Extended booking: The BJP government has extended reservation in government jobs for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes till 2030. This step ensures continued representation and opportunities for these communities in public sector employment.
- Together, these steps promote the empowerment and upliftment of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and help them fully integrate into the mainstream of society.
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