“The worth of independence depends upon the kind of government and the kind of society that is built up,” Bharat Ratna Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had said.
Today, India is celebrating its 74th year as an Independent Nation. In the 74 years of Independence, we as a nation have come a long way. But let us take this day to remember what one of the founding fathers of our nations- Dr BR Ambedkar, had said about the emancipation of the nation from the shackles of British Rule.
Following are the quotes of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar :
“On 26th January 1950, India will be an independent country. What would happen to her independence? Will she maintain her independence or will she lose it again?”
“This is the first thought that comes to my mind. It is not that India was never an independent country. The point is that she once lost the independence she had. Will she lose it a second time? It is this thought which makes me most anxious for the future.”
“What perturbs me greatly is the fact that not only India has once before lost her independence, but she lost it by the infidelity and treachery of some of her own people.”
“Will history repeat itself? It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realisation of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes and creeds we are going to have many political parties with diverse and opposing political creeds.”
“Will Indians place the country above their creed or will they place creed above country? I do not know. But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time and probably be lost forever.”
“On the 26th of January 1950, India would be a democratic country in the sense that India from that day would have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. The same thought comes to my mind. What would happen to her democratic Constitution? Will she be able to maintain it or will she lose it again? This is the second thought that comes to my mind and makes me as anxious as the first.”
“…there is a wrong approach to the question of independence and a misunderstanding about its importance.”
“The independence of a nation “ex hypothesi” does not tie it up to any particular form of government or organisation of society. External independence is quite compatible with internal slavery.”
“Independence means nothing more than that a nation has the liberty to determine its form of government and its social order without dictation from outside.”
“The worth of independence depends upon the kind of government and the kind of society that is built up.”
“There is not much value in independence if the form of government and the order of society is to be those against which the world is fighting today.”
“It is not enough to have just a politically independent India. What is also needed is to have an Indian nation where every citizen will have religious and political rights, so that every person will have equal opportunity to develop.”
“Independence is no doubt a matter of joy. But let us not forget that this independence has thrown on us greater responsibilities.” ”
“By independence, we have lost the excuse of blaming the British for anything going wrong.”
“If hereafter things go wrong, we will have nobody to blame except ourselves. There is a greater danger of things going wrong. Times are fast-changing.”
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