‘Ambedkar had reluctantly introduced controversial Article’
Avtar Bhat
JAMMU, Apr 17: Maintaining that with annulling of Articles 370 and 35 A, Narendra Modi Government has undone a big Constitutional anomaly in the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir as was too a dream of founding father of Indian Constitution, Dr B R Ambedkar, Union Minister in PMO with Independent charge of North Eastern States Dr Jitendra Singh here today said the controversial Article was miscarriage of Constitution.
Dr Jitendra Singh was addressing a function at Model Institute of Education and Research (MIER) Jammu in connection with launching of books of Professor Dr K L Bhatia, a renowned scholar and academician. The two books which were launched included Expounding Constitutionalism in India Challenges and Perspectives; and Dharmoprudence From Legal Cosmology To Illuminative, Expounding And Explicatory Indian Perceptions of Vidhi (Law) and Nyaya (Justice).
The Article 370 was miscarriage of Constitution of India and a big anomaly with whose annulling after over six decades Narendra Modi Government has done a great justice to the people of J&K who were deprived of their rights by the politicians having vested interests”, Dr Jitendra Singh said.
Lavishing praises on Dr B R Ambedkar, Dr Jitendra Singh said he took a principled stand and was against the introduction of controversial Article in Indian Constitution that was discriminatory in nature. However, he later reluctantly introduced it under pressure as a temporary provision as he differed with the political bosses of that time over the issue and also suffered for rest of his life on this account.
He said, Ambedkar was an intellectual of highest class and a politician of great integrity who though was tormented as an untouchable during his childhood never allowed any personal prejudice or bias to get reflected in the Constitution he wrote.
Dr Jitendra Singh said that it is our duty to teach the students about the history of Constitution of India which is among one of the best scriptures of India.
He said when Ambedkar stood first in primary class he brought sweets to be distributed in the school but he was not allowed to do the same as he was termed untouchable. Even while hiring a carriage the carriage puller refused to pull it and asked his (Ambedkar’s) brother to do the same as he was an untouchable. But it was his farsightedness and love for his country that he never allowed to overcome this as a shortcoming in his career and future life and rose to the level of one of the best academicians and intellectuals of India who served the nation to his best capacity and capability, the Union Minister added.
Taking a ride over the perpetrators of Article 370, he said that it had created such type of anomaly that DC was appointing MLAs as the Election Commission of India had no jurisdiction over the erstwhile State.
Maintaining that Raj Dharma is in our blood and nerves, Dr Jitendra Singh while referring to the last Dogra ruler of J&K, Maharaja Hari Singh said that he too believed in Raj Dharma which was above every thing for him. He said during his coronation, Maharaja had declared that henceforth his dharma will be justice.
While highly acclaiming the author of books, Dr K L Bhatia Dr Jitendra Singh said he (Bhatia ) is the leading veteran academicians with a social cause and not with a political agenda. “Dr Bhatia is one of the distinguished academicians in India today and we both have common commitment and ideology”, he added.
Dr Jitendra Singh, while applauding the works of deep research insights of Professor Bhatia emphasized the need of deep comprehension of the concepts as well as perceptions of Constitutionalism and Dharmoprudence. Both Constitutionalism and Dharmoprudence will have to emerge as new schools of thought in law schools of India in the promotion of legal education from web to vibes.
The books have been published by Thomson Reuters an international reputed publisher.
Dr. Adit Gupta, Director MIER, while welcoming the dignitaries admired their respective endeavors as devout promoters to the cause of all round societal development – justice delivery, academics, scientific and infrastructure. Dr Seema Sharma and Dr Mrinalini Atre, Faculty members of The Law School of the University introduced the author as well as his books.
Professor Bhatia expressed the briefs about his two books. He stated that Expounding Constitutionalism is the legal landscape of law and its philosophy, values and development due to judicial intellectualism. Constitutionalism is an in depth study of rule of law and justice which are undoubtedly the noblest concepts evolved by the wit of law enthusiasts, he added.
Professor Bhatia also expressed his views on the impending need of in depth study of Dharmoprudence as India’s own jurisprudence. He stated that Indian legal thoughts have heavy overreach of Euro-American modules with least Indian precepts of Vidhi (law) and Nyaya (justice). It requires incisive analysis of Dharma as Vidhi, Nyaya and Niti Padhati, which shall be unique and unparalleled in the promotion of Dharmoprudence.
Justice Sanjeev Shukla lauded the academics of Professor Bhatia and expressed his reflections that the works of Professor Bhatia shall be unique in the promotion of new schools of thought in Indian legal education.
Professor Manoj Dhar, Vice Chancellor of University of Jammu in his presidential remarks appreciated the academic pursuits of Professor Bhatia even after 17 years of superannuation. R. C. Sabharwal, a social activist, presented a vote of thanks.
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