Tribute to Ambedkar lies in ensuring every child knows why he matters to India: HC

Madurai: Expressing anguish over an incident in which a poster with Dr B R Ambedkar's photograph was desecrated in a deeply offensive manner during his birth anniversary, Madras high court observed that true tribute to him lies not merely in statues and ceremonies, but in ensuring that every child in the state knows why Ambedkar matters to India. The court directed the state to take necessary policy steps to introduce appropriate lessons on Dr Ambedkar's contributions in Social Science curriculum in the state syllabus.Justice L Victoria Gowri observed that in a country which takes pride in being the largest democracy in the world, it is deeply unfortunate that many young minds are not taught, with sufficient seriousness and depth, about the life and contributions of the Father of our Constitution. Dr Ambedkar sowed the seeds of democratic modernity in the country. He was not merely chairman of the drafting committee, but a jurist of formidable intellect, an economist of rare distinction, a social reformer of unmatched courage, and a nation-builder who transformed centuries of civilisational pain into constitutional hope, the judge said."The larger-than-life personality of Dr Ambedkar is too often reduced to a sectional emblem, when in truth he belongs to the whole nation," the judge said. Failure of the state to nurture civic understanding among students can have grave consequences. The court therefore considers it necessary to remind the state that constitutional literacy is not an ornamental aspiration. It is part of the state's social responsibility, the judge observed.Hence, the judge directed the state to take necessary policy steps to introduce appropriate lessons in Social Science curriculum in the state syllabus, for students from Class III to Class X on the role of Dr Ambedkar as chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution, his contribution to the constitutional vision of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, his role in the freedom movement and in democratic nation-building and his scholarly achievements in the fields of economics, law and social thought. The state shall endeavour to give effect to such curricular inclusion from the academic year 2027-2028, subject to pedagogical planning, academic structuring and compliance with all applicable norms. The court was hearing the petition filed by G Rajesh and S Vijay seeking to quash the case registered against them by the Somanathapuram police station in Sivaganga district in 2018.Complainant, Amuthan alias Chithiravelu, a VCK functionary in Devakottai, put up posters bearing the photograph of the leader, which were pasted at Pulikuthi bus stand. Rajesh tore a poster and urinated on it, while Vijay videographed the act and circulated it in a WhatsApp group. The petitioners sought to quash the proceedings based on a joint compromise memo entered into between themselves and the complainant.However, Justice L Victoria Gowri directed the petitioners to purchase 101 books each in Tamil on the life history of Dr Ambedkar. The petitioners shall first read the book themselves and retain one copy each and distribute the remaining 100 copies each to students studying in a govt school.The judge observed that the court conducted an oral test in camera for both petitioners and they answered the questions satisfactorily and demonstrated that they had not merely purchased and distributed books as a ritualistic act, but had in fact read and understood the substance of the text. Considering the fact that their repentance appeared real and their transformation was evident, the judge quashed the case against them.