Panchayath raj and Socisl justice: citing Dr. B R Ambedkar's thought

1. “Panchayath Raj and Social Justice: Citing
Dr. B R Ambedkar’s Thoughts”
SACHIN B S
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR
DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK
ACHARYA INSTITUTE OF GRADUATE STUDIES
BANGALORE
E-MAIL: SACHINGOWDA85@GMAIL.COM
LAKSHMI RANGAIAH
RESEARCH SCHOLAR
DOSR IN SOCIAL WORK
TUMKUR UNIVERSITY
DR. RAMESH B
PROFESSOR
DOSR IN SOCIAL WORK
TUMKUR UNIVERSITY
E-MAIL: RAMESHBMSW@GMAIL.CON

2. Introduction
 Social justice is the spirit and vision of the Indian Constitution. It is the duty of the
state to secure a social order in which the legal system of the nation promotes
justice on the basis of equal opportunity and, in particular, ensures that
opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of
economic or other disabilities. This article makes an attempt to explore
Ambedkar’s ideas on social justice. Thereafter, it focuses on Ambedkar’s
struggles and ideas on social justice in the Indian context and it finally explores
the relevance of his mission for social justice in the present times (Raghavendra,
2016).

3. Rationale of the Study
 Dr. B R Ambedkar’s thought is nothing but philosophy of Indian constitution. Social
justice is one of the core ideology of Indian constitution to safeguard rights of
marginalized groups of our society. Through the 73rd and 74th amendment of Indian
constitution for panchayath raj upholds social justice by decentralizing power in three
tiers and providing representation for marginalized section i.e. Scheduled caste,
scheduled tribes, Other Backward Caste and women. As per Article 243G of the
Constitution, Panchayats would prepare plans for economic development and social
justice including 29 subjects listed in the 11th Schedule of the Constitution. These 29
subjects, among others, include agriculture, poverty alleviation pro-grammes, health,
education, small scale industries, women and child development, social welfare
including welfare of weaker sections, public distribution system and maintenance of
community assets (Pal, 2019).

4. Objective of the Study
 To cite Dr. B R Ambedkar’s thought on Social Justice
 To explore roles of Panchayath Raj Institutions in upholding constitutional social
justice

5. Research Methodology
 The present study exploatory in nature hence, exploratory research design was adopted
qualitative data was drawn from focused group discussion with elective representatives of Alur
and Hesargatta Gram Panchayaths of Bangalore rural district

6. Results and discussion
Case Study - 1
 “indeed panchayath raj can strengthen women rights hence we are here to represent
women anything happens against to women we never allow people to do any kind of
abuse and discrimination”. Asked all questions before panchayath elected members one
member said “definitely panchayath raj act can create equity by giving representation of
marginalities it could avoid many social injustice it is also a platform for marginalities to
represent their community and have discussion on felt problems lays among marginality”.
Another elected member opined that “grass root problems are unique we cant compare
with some other neighboring community thus the same community people can discuss
about their felt problems and formulate tailor-made programme best suited for the
community that will be boon for sustainable community development”. Another elected
member said “ indeed gramsabha is door to grass root democracy excellent mechanism to
get people participate and discuss on issues of community but level of participation is less
thus its losing its vitality whether people especially marginalities would participate more
definitely wonders will happen”.

7. Case study 2:
 Focused group discussion had and the same 5 questions were asked for Panchayath
elected members triangulation happen among elected members there were 5 member
one of the said that, Panchayath Raj indeed helpful to grass root without this we cant
expect representation of weaker section in the caste and money menace”. Another
said that, though the Panchayath Raj is a good mechanism but there are many
problems lays like lack of leadership quality, lack of decision making capability,
nepotism, vested interest and misusing the power so on.. by panchayath elected
members”. in between one more member interrupted and said the core idea of
Panchayath Raj is to bring social justice first time elected members from marginalized
group would face some inconvenience to executing their authority when marginalized
community second and third generation of elected member definitely they will get
holding over authority”.
 Above Focused Group Discussion paved the way to how Dr. B R Ambedkar’s ideology
of social justice is protected by Panchayath Raj Institutions.

8. Conclusion
 Dr B.R. Ambedkar was one the greatest sons of India who was not only a
parliamentarian, scholar of repute and constitutionalist expert but also a crusader for
the marginality in India. He struggled throughout his life for establishing such a social
order which is based on liberty, equality and universal brotherhood. This requires not
only liberty and deliverance of the oppressed, depressed and suppressed, but also
establishment of such institutions which are not only democratic but also close to the
masses as well as have adequate representation of women and vulnerable sections at
various levels of government. For achieving this, decentralised rural governance is
also very important to create a proper socio-economic development environment for
holistic development of each and every individual and the society. Whatever initiation
taken by government to safeguard the rights and uphold the social justice even today
marginalized treated as second division people in society by constitutional affirmative
action sought many changes to uphold social justice Panchayath Raj is one of those
endeavor to bring Dr. B R Ambedkar’s thoughts in to reality.

9. Reference
Bishoyi, S. K. (March 2013). Social Mobilization and Social Justice Role of Panchayat. International
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Desai A.R. (1969). Rural Sociology in India,. Bombay: Popular Prakashan,.
Pal, M. (2019). Dr B.R. Ambedkar, Dalits and Decentralised Rural Governance in India: Ideas, Application
and Reality. Retrieved from www.mainstreamweekly.net:
http://www.mainstreamweekly.net/article8636.html
Raghavendra. (2016). Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s Ideas on Social Justice in Indian Society. Contemporary voice
of Dalit Volume: 8 issue: 1,, 24-29.
Rao, D. (1980). Panchayat‟s and Rural Development. New Delhi: Ashish Publishing House.
Tak, B. L. (1972). Sociological Dimensions of Grama Raj,. Ghaziabad,: Vimal Prakashan.
villageinfo.in. (2019). Indian Village Dictionary. Retrieved from villageinfo.in:
https://villageinfo.in/karnataka/bangalore/bangalore-north/hesaraghatta.html
villageinfo.in. (2019). INDIAN VILLAGE DIRECTORY. Retrieved from villageinfo.in:
https://villageinfo.in/karnataka/bangalore/bangalore-north/alur.html