The spirit of the constitution

What is the best way to honour a hero? Is it by making him a god and worshiping him and thus distancing ourselves from him, his humanity and his ideals? Or is it by understanding him, his struggles and beliefs and striving in our own way? Take for example the case of our Prime Minister, Narendra Modi declaring that November 26 th of every year, starting from this year should be observed as “Constitution Day” and on this day school children should be taught about the constitution and Dr. Ambedkar.

Let us appreciate this step to begin with. Yes, as citizens we should know about our constitution.But to teach students , we should also be prepared to answer their questions on what is happening now. Are we living up to the ideals that were written down by Ambedkar?

The “growing intolerance” that prompted hundreds of Indian writers and intellectuals to so categorically return their awards, including cash and cheques back to the Government will prompt the children to ask us what went wrong? The shocking incidents children hear and read everyday about killings, rapes, burning alive of children, lynchings, riots will leave them confused about the fundamental rights that our constitution promises- the right to equality, the right to freedom, the right against exploitation, the right to freedom of religion, cultural and educational rights.

So the Prime Minister and his team and everyone of us must also prepare to answer the questions that will soon pour in from the children- do we practice what we preach?