By D Raja
On the 26th of January, 1950, India became 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… What would happen to her democratic constitution? Will she be able to maintain it or will she lose it again?” Dr BR Ambedkar, the prime architect of our Constitution voiced his fear in these words on November 25, 1949 during his last address to the Constituent Assembly of India. This fear of Dr Ambedkar reverberates among the people when we see our Constitution and its core values of secularism, welfare state and federalism under threat.
On this Republic Day, as we celebrate the 75th year of our Republic while also observing the centenary of the foundation of the CPI, it is a moment for deep reflection on the legacy of our Constitution, the values it upholds and the current challenges we face as a nation and ideologically driven political party. This is also an occasion to renew our commitment to the Constitution of India, which is a beacon of hope, crafted with great foresight by our founding fathers to ensure democracy, justice, secularism, socialism and equality for all citizens.
However, today, we stand at a crossroads, confronted with serious threats to the very principles that define the Republic and shape our collective future. The Communist Party of India has always been at the forefront of defending the core values of the Constitution. From the independence struggle to post independence politics, the CPI has worked tirelessly to ensure that the rights of the people, especially the marginalised, are upheld. Our vision for India has always been rooted in social justice, equality and secularism and we have consistently fought for policies that benefit the toiling masses, be they workers, peasants, women or minorities. The Constitution of India was an embodiment of this vision, and we, as a party, have made it our mission to safeguard it and its values.
The CPI’s contributions to the formation of India’s Constitution are crucial in understanding how our party has consistently fought for the values enshrined in the living document. During the freedom struggle, we were among the first to call for a vision of India that was not only free from colonial rule but also free from the shackles of caste, class and religious oppression. The CPI was a firm proponent of a secular state—one that would ensure equal treatment for all religions, ensuring no particular religion to dominate the political or social landscape. This vision was shared by many of the framers of the Constitution, including Dr. BR Ambedkar, Jawaharlal Nehru, Maulana Azad and others who emphasized the importance of religious freedom and equal treatment of all citizens irrespective of their faith. Dr. Ambedkar emphatically rejected the idea of theocratic nation and theocratic state. He wrote “If Hindu raj does become a fact, it will no doubt be the greatest calamity for the country.”
At the same time, socialism was also a key aspect of our vision for an independent India. The CPI had a significant influence on the drafting of the Constitution, advocating for the inclusion of principles of social justice, equitable distribution of resources and the protection of the working class. The Directive Principles of State Policy, which call for the reduction of inequalities in income and wealth, were influenced by socialist ideals and were crafted to guide the future actions of the government. The aim was not just political independence but also economic and social justice. Considering India’s rich diversity, the framers of the Constitution gave us a federal polity. The CPI was also in the lead here by forcefully raising the demand for linguistic states and decentralisation of power. The principles of secularism, welfarism and federalism were thus woven into the very fabric of the Indian state. But as we look around us today, we find that these principles are increasingly under threat.
The Constitution of India lays down a framework for a secular state—a state where religion does not interfere in governance, where the state treats all religions equally. However, over the past few years, we have witnessed alarming shifts in this regard. The rise of religious majoritarianism, where political power is used to favour one religion over others, is one of the most serious threats to the Republic today. This strain on secularism is evident in the increasing polarisation of society along religious lines. The growing influence of political forces that seek to use religion as a tool for electoral gains has led to the spread of hatred, bigotry and violence, often targeting religious minorities.
The narrative of ‘us’ versus ‘them’ is gaining ground, and the foundational idea of India as a pluralistic society, where all religions coexist in harmony, is being undermined. Dr. Ambedkar had forewarned that if the electoral process becomes communalised, “Minority communities may be crushed. If not crushed they may be tyrannised and oppressed. They are sure to be discriminated against and denied equality before the law and equal opportunity in public life.”
Dr. Ambedkar further warned, “if there is anybody who has in his mind the project of solving the Hindu Muslim problem by force, which is another name of solving it by war…in order that the Muslims may be subjugated…..this country would be involved in perpetually conquering them”. In the recent period the horrific incidents related to lynching of Muslims in the name of beef and food habits indicate they are subjected to war like situation.
The most recent example of this assault on secularism is the repeated violation of the Places of Worship (Special Provisions) Act, 1991, which was enacted to maintain the status quo of religious sites and prevent the re-opening of old wounds, particularly following the Babri Masjid demolition. This law was specifically designed to prevent the recurrence of violence over religious sites, yet it is being openly flouted today by certain groups seeking to polarise the people to further their diabolical agenda. This erosion of secular values is not just a cultural or social concern; it is a political strategy aimed at dismantling the very foundations of our democratic Republic. It is essential that we stand firm against these forces, for the survival of our Republic hinges on the protection of secularism as a state principle.
Another equally pressing threat to the Republic is the increasing economic inequality that is dividing our society along class lines. The vision of a welfare state, as enshrined in the Constitution, called for a system that would not only ensure political democracy but also economic democracy. It called for an equitable distribution of wealth, an end to exploitative structures and for policies that would uplift the poor and marginalised.
Yet, today, we are witnessing a growing concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while vast sections of our population remain mired in poverty and deprivation. The rise of inequality is not just an economic issue but a social and political one as well. The marginalized are increasingly being excluded from the benefits of economic growth, leading to heightened social unrest and a deepening of divisions within society. This inequality is also creating fertile ground for communal politics, where the poor are pitted against each other based on religious identity rather than class interests. This is precisely the kind of divide-and-rule politics that our Republic was supposed to transcend.
The Directive Principles of State Policy laid down a map for the future Republic and contained provisions for holistic development of the nation on socialist lines. The responsibility of providing means of livelihood to all and minimise the inequalities of income and status were squarely with the State. However, the economic policies of the current government— privatisation of public assets, weakening of labour rights and a pro-corporate agenda—have exacerbated these issues. The rich are becoming richer, while the poor continue to struggle. The CPI has always stood against such policies and has consistently demanded a more equitable distribution of resources. Thus, we call for a complete restoration of the welfare state, which is a core tenet of the Constitution, and social security measures for the disadvantaged sections of society.
Further, India’s federal polity faces significant challenges under the BJP-RSS regime, which increasingly threatens the country’s pluralistic fabric and constitutional framework. Article 1 of the Constitution declares India as a Union of States but the centralisation of power, manifested in legislating on state subjects and misusing the colonial office of the Governor to undermine democratically elected state governments erodes the essence of federalism. This centralisation is coupled with efforts to impose cultural, linguistic, and religious uniformity disregarding India’s rich diversity. The push for “One Nation, One Election” further consolidates power at the Union government diluting the autonomy of states and undermining their role in a federal democracy. Additionally, opposition-ruled states face systemic discrimination and coercion, intensifying the tension between regional aspirations and the Central government’s vision of a monolithic national identity. This undermines the pluralism that India was founded on, threatening to unravel the delicate balance of power between the Union and the states.
On this Republic Day, as we stand at the crossroads of history, we must renew our commitment to the ideals of our Constitution. We must remember the prophetic words of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, who, in his final speech at the Constituent Assembly, warned that “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.” Dr. Ambedkar emphasized that the survival of the Constitution depended not only on the quality of its provisions but also on the commitment of the people and their leaders to uphold its spirit.
Today we face a crisis where political forces of right-wing, communal fascism, crony capitalism are undermining the core values of the Constitution, secularism, welfarism and federalism. Religious majoritarianism, crony capitalism, growing inequality and homogeneity are threatening the very fabric of our Republic. It is our duty to resist these forces and rebuild India as a country that lives up to the ideals of justice, equality and secularism. The CPI calls upon every citizen, every progressive force and every true patriot to join in the struggle to regain the Republic for the betterment of the people of India.
We must come together to defeat the politics of division, hate and inequality, and work towards a more just, secular and socialist India. Let us draw inspiration from the vision of our Constitution and work to ensure that it remains a living document that guarantees freedom, equality and dignity for all. Let us reclaim our Republic from the forces of division and inequality and work to build a society where the dreams of our freedom fighters are realised— where justice, liberty, equality and fraternity flourish for every citizen of this great nation. Lets regain the Republic, for the people. (IPA Service)