142. Constitutional Morality
Understanding Its Importance for Indian Democracy
“The diffusion of constitutional morality, not merely among the majority of any community but throughout the whole, is the indispensable condition of a government” (Vol. 7, 4th November 1948).
The importance of constitutional morality for the effective functioning of Indian democracy was highlighted by Dr BR Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly Debates . But what does constitutional morality mean? Who are its arbiters? And does constitutional morality exist in India today?
In this podcast, host Shruti Vishwanathan of the Equals Project talks to advocates and scholars Disha Wadekar, Anurag Bhaskar & Malavika Prasad as they discuss the elements of constitutional morality in India, and its importance for Indian society.
Other sources & further reading:
1) Speech by Dr Ambedkar at the inception of Constituent Assembly (17 Dec., 1946) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lPsZLK540Cg&t=11s
2) Anurag Bhaskar, “‘Ambedkar’s Constitution’: A Radical Phenomenon in Anti-Caste Discourse?”, https://journals.library.
3)138 of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Writings and Speeches, Vol 17(3) p. 472.) – https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/Volume17_Part_III.pdf
4) Chapter IX of What Congress and Gandhi have Done to the Untouchables (Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s Writings and Speeches, Vol 9, p. 199, 201-204)- https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/CPV/Volume9.pdf
