Vol. 14, Part I · pages 6–10

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar : Writings and Speeches Vol. 14 (Part-1) First Edition by Education Department, Govt. of Maharashtra : 6 December, 1995 Re-printed by Dr. Ambedkar Foundation : January, 2014 ISBN (Set) : 978-93-5109-064-9 Courtesy : Monogram used on the Cover page is taken from Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar’s Letterhead. © Secretary Education Department Government of Maharashtra Price : One Set of 1 to 17 Volumes (20 Books) : ` 3000/Publisher: Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India 15, Janpath, New Delhi - 110 001 Phone : 011-23357625, 23320571, 23320589 Fax : 011-23320582 Website : www.ambedkarfoundation.nic.in The Education Department Government of Maharashtra, Bombay-400032 for Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee Printer M/s. Tan Prints India Pvt. Ltd., N. H. 10, Village-Rohad, Distt. Jhajjar, Haryana

MESSAGE Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of Indian Constitution was a scholar par excellence, a philosopher, a visionary, an emancipator and a true nationalist. He led a number of social movements to secure human rights to the oppressed and depressed sections of the society. He stands as a symbol of struggle for social justice. The Government of Maharashtra has done a highly commendable work of publication of volumes of unpublished works of Dr. Ambedkar, which have brought out his ideology and philosophy before the Nation and the world. In pursuance of the recommendations of the Centenary Celebrations Committee of Dr. Ambedkar, constituted under the chairmanship of the then Prime Minister of India, the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation (DAF) was set up for implementation of different schemes, projects and activities for furthering the ideology and message of Dr. Ambedkar among the masses in India as well as abroad. The DAF took up the work of translation and publication of the Collected Works of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar published by the Government of Maharashtra in English and Marathi into Hindi and other regional languages. I am extremely thankful to the Government of Maharashtra’s consent for bringing out the works of Dr. Ambedkar in English also by the Dr. Ambedkar Foundation. Dr. Ambedkar’s writings are as relevant today as were at the time when these were penned. He firmly believed that our political democracy must stand on the base of social democracy which means a way of life which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life. He emphasized on measuring the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved. According to him if we want to maintain democracy not merely in form, but also in fact, we must hold fast to constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. He advocated that in our political, social and economic life, we must have the principle of one man, one vote, one value. There is a great deal that we can learn from Dr. Ambedkar’s ideology and philosophy which would be beneficial to our Nation building endeavor. I am glad that the DAF is taking steps to spread Dr. Ambedkar’s ideology and philosophy to an even wider readership. I would be grateful for any suggestions on publication of works of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar. (Kumari Selja) Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment & Chairperson, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Kumari Selja

Collected Works of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar (CWBA) Editorial Board Kumari Selja Minister for Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India and Chairperson, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Shri Manikrao Hodlya Gavit Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India Shri P. Balram Naik Minister of State for Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India Shri Sudhir Bhargav Secretary Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India Shri Sanjeev Kumar Joint Secretary Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, Govt. of India and Member Secretary, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Shri Viney Kumar Paul Director Dr. Ambedkar Foundation Shri Kumar Anupam Manager (Co-ordination) - CWBA Shri Jagdish Prasad ‘Bharti’ Manager (Marketing) - CWBA Shri Sudhir Hilsayan Editor, Dr. Ambedkar Foundation

PREFACE Maharashtra has been fortunate in having a long tradition of social reforms. Just as in Europe, Christianity inaugurated the Era of equality by preaching that a prince and a pauper are equal in the eyes of God, saints like Dnyaneshwar, Namdeo, Tukaram, Gora Kumbhar and Chokhamela brought about a great social change by preaching the Gospel of compassion, equality and liberty of worship. Caste barriers were annihilated. The rise of the Maratha power under Shivaji the Great demonstrated that a popular hero could be crowned as a King. Shivaji heralded the dawn of political equality. These saints of Maharashtra preached the Gospel of democracy in religion, breaking down the barriers of classes and castes. The Warkari cult did not recognise caste. Members of the Warkari cult in procession, marched together eating the same food in the spirit of the true brotherhood. They shared the common quest for God. The Bhakti movement of the Warkaris broadened and deepened the freedom of worship. Article 25 of the Constitution permits such freedom. The reforms introduced by Dr. Ambedkar in Hindu Law have been accepted by and large. He laid the foundation of the common Civil Code for the Hindus and the principle is capable of extension to other sections of the Indian society. However, reforms in religious beliefs and practices are slow and voluntary. It is hoped that the guidance given by Dr. Ambedkar in this respect will be availed of by leaders of different communities and they will initiate a dialogue within the country so as to facilitate reforms in laws. Reforms, religious and social, had stirred the Maharashtrian society. The soil was fertile for further changes within the framework of the Hindu Law. Over the years, the Hindu Law underwent transformation, opening the channels of communication.

Dr. Ambedkar, by codifying the Hindu Law in respect of marriage, divorce and succession, rationalised and restored it to its glory. Dr. Ambedkar has preserved marriage as sacrament and promoted the growth of family values. Consistent with the Constitution, the Hindu Law as modified permits people to practice and profess their religion. But as Dr. Ambedkar categorically stated, “the state has retained all along the right to interfere in the personal law of any community in this country”, and therefore, there is a sound basis for liberalisation of personal laws so as to broaden the freedom of the individual and the unity of the country based on such freedom. (MANOHAR JOSHI) Bombay : Chief Minister, November 28, 1995. Maharashtra State. (vi) DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES