Comprehension
On 26th January 1950, we are going to enter into a life of contradictions. In politics, we will have equality and in social and economic structure, continue to deny the principle of one man one value. How long shall we continue to live this life of contradictions? How long shall we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life? If we continue to deny it for long, we will do so only by putting our political democracy in peril. We must remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment else those who suffer from inequality will blow up the structure of democracy, which this Constituent Assembly has so laboriously built up.
I feel that the constitution is workable, it is flexible and it is strong enough to hold the country together both in peacetime and in wartime. Indeed, if I may say so, if things go wrong under the new Constitution, the reason will not be that we had a bad Constitution. What we will have to say is that man was vile?
The third thing we must do is not be content with mere political democracy. We must note that our political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.
… however, good a constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it, happen to be a bad lot. However, bad a constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it, happen to be a good lot. The working of a Constitution does not depend wholly upon the nature of the Constitution.
[Excerpts from Dr. Ambedkar’s address to the Constituent Assembly, 25 November 1949]
I feel that the constitution is workable, it is flexible and it is strong enough to hold the country together both in peacetime and in wartime. Indeed, if I may say so, if things go wrong under the new Constitution, the reason will not be that we had a bad Constitution. What we will have to say is that man was vile?
The third thing we must do is not be content with mere political democracy. We must note that our political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of social democracy. What does social democracy mean? It means a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as the principles of life.
… however, good a constitution may be, it is sure to turn out bad because those who are called to work it, happen to be a bad lot. However, bad a constitution may be, it may turn out to be good if those who are called to work it, happen to be a good lot. The working of a Constitution does not depend wholly upon the nature of the Constitution.
[Excerpts from Dr. Ambedkar’s address to the Constituent Assembly, 25 November 1949]
Question: 1
What is the life of contradiction referred to here?
What is the life of contradiction referred to here?
Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
- That of equality in politics but inequality in social and economic structure
- That of inequality in politics but equality in social and economic structure
- That of inequality in social structure but equality in economic structure
- That of equality in politics and economic structure but inequality in social structure
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Dr. Ambedkar highlights the contradiction between political equality and social/economic inequality in the post-independence scenario.
The Correct Answer is option (A): That of equality in politics but inequality in social and economic structure
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Question: 2
What will happen, according to Dr. Ambedkar, if we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life?
What will happen, according to Dr. Ambedkar, if we continue to deny equality in our social and economic life?
Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
- There will be no injustic
- Our political democracy will be in danger
- Equality in social and economic life will be achieved nevertheless
- Our social and economic life will be in peril
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The Correct Option is B
Solution and Explanation
Dr. Ambedkar warns that denying equality in social and economic life would endanger the survival of political democracy.
The Correct Answer is option (B): Our political democracy will be in danger
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Question: 3
What might be the cause, according to Dr. Ambedkar, if things go wrong under the new Constitution?
What might be the cause, according to Dr. Ambedkar, if things go wrong under the new Constitution?
Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
- That the Constitution was ignored
- That the men called upon to work the Constitution were good
- That the men called upon to work the Constitution were not good
- That the Constitution was bad and failed the people
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Dr. Ambedkar points out that the effectiveness of a constitution depends largely on the character of those who implement it.
The Correct Answer is option (C): That the men called upon to work the Constitution were not good
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Question: 4
What does social democracy mean?
What does social democracy mean?
Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
- Equality before the Law
- Equality of opportunities
- Equality in social life
- Equality in economic life
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Social democracy refers to a way of life based on the principles of liberty, equality, and fraternity, with a focus on social equality.
The Correct Answer is option (C): Equality in social life
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Question: 5
When does a bad Constitution turnout to be good?
When does a bad Constitution turnout to be good?
Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
- When the people called upon to work it are good
- When the people called upon to work it are bad
- When the Constitution is amended
- None of the above
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The Correct Option is A
Solution and Explanation
Dr. Ambedkar emphasizes that even a bad constitution can be successful if the people in charge of its implementation are virtuous and competent.
The Correct Answer is option (A): When the people called upon to work it are good
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Question: 6
Which of the following statement is not correct about what Dr. B.R. Ambedkar feel about the constitution?
Which of the following statement is not correct about what Dr. B.R. Ambedkar feel about the constitution?
Updated On: Nov 7, 2024
- The Constitution is workable
- The Constitution is flexible
- The Constitution is strong enough to hold the country together in peacetime only
- The Constitution is strong enough to hold the country together both in peacetime and in wartime
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The Correct Option is C
Solution and Explanation
Dr. Ambedkar believed that the Constitution is robust enough to hold the country together both in peacetime and wartime, not just during peacetime.
The Correct Answer is option (C): The Constitution is strong enough to hold the country together in peacetime only
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