The Socio-Political Analysis of Relevance of Affirmative Action Policy: The Legacy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Abstract

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was one of the most important figures who played a remarkable role in India's nation building. His legacy as a socio-political reformer had a deep effect on modern India. In post-Independence India; socio-political thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar has acquired respect across the political spectrum. His initiatives have influenced various spheres of life and transformed the way India today looks at socio-economic policies, education and affirmative action through socio-economic and legal incentives. In the polarized debate around Affirmative Action, it is either demonized as the root of all evil or valorized as the panacea for eliminating discrimination. It is worth noting at the outset that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the chief architect of the constitution of independent India, who ensured that Affirmative Action was constitutionally mandated, himself did not see Affirmative Action as a panacea. He did not believe that the caste system could be made less malignant. He said “…my ideal would be a society based on Liberty, Equality and Fraternity… (the caste system) means a state of slavery … a society in which some men are forced to accept from others the purposes which control their conduct” (emphasis in the original). He was constantly engaged with the question of strategies and instruments which would lead to the annihilation of caste altogether. The present paper is an attempt made to examine the reflection of the brutal custom of caste discrimination, its impact on society and the novel system of Affirmative Action i.e. The Quota System that was invented to mitigate the social distance and discrimination which was created by the false notion of “Caste Superiority” in Indian society.