Question

What was the opinion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar about local self-government during the drafting of the Constitution?

• A. He believed that local elites and upper castes would exploit the downtrodden masses further.
• B. He thought that local self-government will empower the downtrodden masses.
• C. He believed that local self-government will ensure equal representation of all social groups.
• D. He believed that local self-government will lead to economic prosperity.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is A

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a principal architect of the Indian Constitution, held pragmatic views on local self-government systems. While drafting the Constitution, Ambedkar was deeply aware of the social dynamics prevalent in India, particularly concerning the caste system and power hierarchies. He held the opinion that local self-governments could potentially exacerbate existing inequalities rather than mitigate them. Specifically, Ambedkar believed that: 

The local elites and upper castes would exploit the downtrodden masses further.

His apprehension stemmed from the sociopolitical context wherein the upper castes traditionally wielded significant power, and there was a risk that local governance could reinforce these hierarchies instead of democratizing power. Ambedkar’s stance highlighted a cautionary approach towards decentralization, emphasizing the need to safeguard against the exploitation of marginalized communities within a local self-government framework.

Answer 2

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar had a complex and nuanced view on local self-government during the drafting of the Constitution. His opinion can be summarized as follows:

He believed that local elites and upper castes would exploit the downtrodden masses further (Option 1): Dr. Ambedkar was deeply concerned about the potential for local elites and upper castes to dominate and exploit the marginalized communities, including the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. He was particularly wary of the traditional village panchayat system, which he saw as a stronghold of caste-based discrimination and oppression.

He thought that local self-government would empower the downtrodden masses (Option 2): This statement is not accurate based on Ambedkar's views during the drafting of the Constitution. While he did advocate for the empowerment of the downtrodden, he was skeptical about local self-government as a means to achieve this, fearing it would perpetuate caste hegemony.

He believed that local self-government would ensure equal representation of all social groups (Option 3): This is not entirely accurate. While Ambedkar did fight for the representation of marginalized groups, he was concerned that local self-government, as traditionally conceived, would not ensure equal representation. He insisted on special provisions to protect the rights of the Scheduled Castes and other marginalized communities.

He believed that local self-government would lead to economic prosperity (Option 4): There is no evidence to suggest that Ambedkar believed local self-government would directly lead to economic prosperity. His primary concerns were social justice and the prevention of caste-based exploitation.

Given these points, the correct answer is Option 1: He believed that local elites and upper castes would exploit the downtrodden masses further. This aligns with his critical view of local self-government during the drafting of the Constitution.