D R Bhagat
Whenever there is any mention of Dr B R Ambedkar, a general perception is made that he was the architect of Indian constitution and a Dalit leader. His struggle of four decades has benefited each and every segments of the society. Although his work for the depressed classes is matchless and recognized world over, he contributed immensely towards welfare of the womenfolk and the labour force. He said, ‘I measure the progress of a country with the degree of progress women have achieved’. He was aware that the Manusmriti in Hinduism has graded the women at the lowest level in the socio-religious, economic and cultural status. The other main religion of the country also denied the freedom and fundamental rights of the women including right to education. Her position in society was never at par with men. He fought tooth and nail for women’s economic liberation and for securing their social rights. He was one of the greatest champions of gender equality in India. When he was the member of the Bombay legislature, he presented the bill for maternity benefits for the women working in the industrial sector. He said, ‘ it is my belief that it is in the interest of the Indian Nation that the mother ought to get a certain amount of rest during the pre-natal and for some post natal period’. This act was passed in 1929 by the Bombay legislature. Under the act the women working in the factories were allowed leave with pay for a period of 8 weeks. Subsequently the Madras legislature also passed such act in 1938. As labour minister in viceroy’s council from 1942 to 1946 he brought the Mines Maternity Benefits Bill to give maternity benefits to the women workers and also got the ban imposed on employment of women workers for underground work in coal mines. Taking inspiration and as a result of his struggle, common Maternity Benefits Act was passed by the central government in 1961 for all states in India. The women workers were also not being paid the wages equal to their male counterparts for the same work. As labour minister in viceroy’s executive council, the bill for payment of equal wages for equal work irrespective of the sex was got passed. He stressed for educating the women who are the backbone of the society. He said, ‘Liberty of women is essential to reform our social system which is full of inequality and discrimination which conflicts with our fundamental rights.’ As first law minister of India, he drafted the Hindu Code Bill to give women equal rights and status in the society as enjoyed by their male counterparts. His concern for gender equality has been reflected in the bill. Through the bill women were to be granted absolute right regarding all property being equal citizens. Through the Bill, he had granted women the right to divorce, the right to inheritance and also provided legal recognition to inter caste marriage. There were several systems regarding marriage in Hindus. He wanted to establish one common code for the same. He believed that the women have the exclusive right over their own body and conception was a choice which women should make and not the men. He opposed the child marriage and also Dasi Pratha prevailing in Hindu society. The Hindu code bill was as a result of Ambedkar’s passion towards the value of liberty, equality, dignity and fraternity. The focus of the bill was to give women the absolute right over property, to eliminate endogamy and to relieve women of the threat of polygamy. Although The Bill could not withstand the Hindu orthodoxy, it helped the resurgence of feminist movement in India and later many steps were taken by the government for welfare of women. However some safeguards to the women rights have been provided in the constitution prepared by Ambedkar under various provisions of the constitution. Article 16 provides for equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. Article 23 prohibits trafficking in human being and forced labour. Article 39(d) provides equal pay for equal work for both men and women. Article 243(d) provides that not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat to be reserved for women. Similar reservation has been kept for direct elections in every municipality. The provision for similar reservations in the matter of chairpersons of Panchayats and municipalities has been made in the constitution. He also enabled women for voting rights by ensuring Universal Adult Franchise which were previously reserved only for some privileged women. Dr Ambedkar was also a strong votary of the rights of the labour force. He had a major contribution in improving the condition of workers. He got the eight-hour working day bill passed for workers from the existing twelve hours. In the Round Table Conference which he attended as representative of depressed classes, he forcefully pleaded for suitable wages, better working conditions and the freedom of peasants from clutches of cruel land lords. He even formed the Independent Labour Party in 1936 with an agenda to meet the needs and solving the grievances of the poor tenants, agriculturists and workers. During the Poona session of Bombay Assembly in 1937, he introduced a bill to abolish the Khoti system of land which was prevailing in the Konkan region of Maharashtra. According to this system the tax from the farmers was being collected by the middlemen appointed by the government who were extorting much higher taxes from the poor farmers at their whims. He also opposed the introduction of Industrial Disputes Bill 1937 which banned the workers right to strike. In 1943, he forced the employers to acknowledge trade unions through the Indian Trade Union (Amendment) Bill. He also emphasized the urgent need to bring progressive labour welfare legislation while addressing the Indian Labour conference in New Delhi in 1945. Health Insurance of workers is a big contribution of Dr Ambedkar to the workers. As a result of the same Employees State Insurance (ESI) came into being with an aim to provide the health facilities to the workers and their families. To insure the well being of the workers, he kept some provisions in the constitution under Directive Principles of State Policy and also under Fundamental Rights. Under article 42 of Directive Principles of State Policy, the government to insure just and human conditions of work and maternity leave. Under article 43 the government to insure and secure a living wage, a decent standard of living and social and cultural opportunities for all workers while section 43A urges the government to take steps to secure the participation of workers in the management of industries.
In fact it was Dr B R Ambedkar who laid the foundation of workers’ rights along with the rights of the women in India. Today the women of the country are holding the top positions in all fields like politics, education, business, bureaucracy etc and contributing in the progress of the country which is as a result of the relentless efforts of Dr Ambedkar. He believed that Political democracy can’t last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. The social philosophy of Dr Ambedkar is based on liberty, equality and fraternity. In fact Dr Ambedkar was not only a Dalit leader but an outstanding national leader with his work recognized globally.