Dr Ambedkar's statement ‘fasting is the grammar of anarchy’ is a rebuke to Sonam Wangchuk

Author Dr Anand Ranganathan lashes out over the so-called student protest in Delhi

New Delhi – The ongoing protest by the Cockroach Janata Party is a combination of three or four different issues. In the context of the Jantar Mantar protest and Sonam Wangchuk’s hunger strike, people are invoking the Constitution and glorifying the ideas of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. However, it is important to understand what Dr Ambedkar himself had said. He stated, “If we wish to maintain democracy not merely in form but also in fact, what must we do? In my judgement, the first thing we must do is to hold tight the constitutional methods of achieving our social and economic objectives. This means that we must abandon the bloody methods of revolution. It also means that we must abandon the method of civil disobedience, non-cooperation and satyagraha. These methods (such as fasting) are nothing but the grammar of anarchy, and the sooner they are abandoned, the better for us.” This significant observation was made by noted author and scientist Dr Anand Ranganathan while speaking to a television channel about the protest being carried out by the Cockroach Janata Party and the related developments.

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Dr Ranganathan further said that, in his historic speech before the Constituent Assembly on 25^th November 1949, Dr Ambedkar had also explained that hunger strikes amount to a form of moral blackmail and coercion. They place the other side in an impossible position: either concede the demands or accept responsibility for someone’s death. In independent India, such methods bypass the legislature, elections and the judicial system. If every group resorts to hunger strikes or satyagraha to press its demands, democracy may survive only in name, while anarchy will prevail. Democratic institutions will be weakened and the danger of dictatorship will arise. India needs constitutional morality and respect for the Constitution and its processes rather than popular or emotional methods of agitation. Instead, people should pursue political and constitutional means, educate, agitate and organise.

Important points made by Dr Ranganathan

1. No leader is perfect, how many resignations will you demand ?

The resignation of Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan is being demanded. In reality, I can give you a list. There are 543 Members of Parliament in this country, 70 Cabinet Ministers at the Centre, and countless Ministers in the States. Every one of them is far from perfect. In fact, I would say that every politician compromises in one way or another and fails to do everything that ought to be done. Therefore, if you begin demanding resignations, the list will become so long that it will never end.

2. The Union Government should have accepted responsibility for the NEET paper leak!

On the very day the NEET examination paper was leaked, the Government should have accepted responsibility. Accountability should have been fixed. Moreover, the Government should have provided compensation of ₹5,000 to ₹10,000 to poor students. I said this at the time itself. The paper was leaked, 23 lakh students suffered, and many poor students allegedly died by suicide. Where is the accountability? The demand for the Education Minister’s resignation is justified.

3. Why are the protesters not condemning the Supreme Court’s inaction?

The protesters are opposing the wrong constitutional institution (the Government). They should instead be protesting against the Supreme Court’s inaction. Only the Supreme Court can direct the Government to compensate every student, dismiss those responsible and establish a better system.

4. This is an embarrassment for the Government

On the day the paper leak occurred, I said there was no point in printing 23 lakh NEET question papers in advance because that creates the possibility of leaks. Now the Government says that from next year the examination will be digital. Were you asleep until now? Around 15 lakh students appear for the JEE Main examination, and it is computer-based rather than conducted using printed question papers. If 15 lakh candidates can take such an examination, then 20 lakh can as well. The Prime Minister saying, “Congratulations! You have successfully re-conducted NEET,” is itself a tragedy. The real shame is that such a situation arose in the first place.

5. Abhijeet Dipke is playing the role of Arvind Kejriwal, while Sonam Wangchuk is playing the role of Anna Hazare!

The present agitation resembles the anti-corruption movement of 2011 led by Arvind Kejriwal and Anna Hazare. Abhijeet Dipke, head of the Cockroach Janata Party, is playing the role of Arvind Kejriwal, while Sonam Wangchuk, who is on a hunger strike, is playing the role of Anna Hazare.