Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, delivered a critical and far-sighted warning in his concluding speech to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. This warning concerned the dangers of hero-worship in politics. He firmly believed that placing too much emphasis on hero-worship in politics is a sure road to degradation.
🤔 What Did Dr. Ambedkar Say?
In Dr. Ambedkar’s own words:
“In politics, hero-worship is a sure road to degradation.”
He explained this by stating that we must heed the caution given by John Stuart Mill to all those interested in the maintenance of democracy:
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We should not lay our liberties at the feet of even a great man.
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We should not trust him with power which may enable him to subvert our institutions.
🙏 The Difference Between ‘Gratitude’ and ‘Bhakti’
Dr. Ambedkar acknowledged that there is nothing wrong in being grateful to great men who have rendered life-long services to the country. However, he clarified that there are limits to gratefulness.
He highlighted the role of ‘Bhakti’ (Devotion/Worship) in the Indian context:
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In India, the path of devotion or hero-worship plays a part in its politics unequalled in magnitude by the part it plays in the politics of any other country in the world.
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While in religion, Bhakti may be a road to the salvation of the soul.
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In politics, however, Bhakti or hero-worship is a sure road to degradation and to eventual dictatorship.
⚠️ Relevance Today
Dr. Ambedkar’s statement remains as relevant today as it was in 1949. His message is clear: to run a healthy democracy, it is imperative to place institutions above the individual.
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Protecting Institutions: When we grant a leader unlimited power and blind devotion (hero-worship), we inadvertently weaken our democratic institutions (Parliament, Judiciary, Press, etc.).
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The Threat of Dictatorship: Hero-worship prevents individuals from being held accountable for their mistakes and can eventually lead to dictatorship, as Dr. Ambedkar warned.
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Vigilant Citizens: In a democracy, it is the duty of citizens to think critically, question the actions of leaders, and remain vigilant about their rights and liberties. No single individual should be considered above the law and the Constitution.
Conclusion:
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar provided us with a powerful reminder that while we must respect our leaders, we must refrain from hero-worship. A strong and stable democracy can only endure when our allegiance is to the principles of the Constitution and democratic institutions rather than to individuals.