Indians today are governed by two different ideologies. Their political ideal set in the preamble of the Constitution affirms a life of liberty, equality and fraternity. Their social ideal embodied in their religion denies them.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
If I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote emphasizes the importance of protecting the constitution against misuse, even if it means rejecting it completely.
B. R. Ambedkar's quote speaks to the principle that a constitution must serve the people and uphold justice; if it becomes a tool of oppression or is misused, it loses its legitimacy. In such a scenario, the individual has a moral obligation to oppose and dismantle it rather than passively accept its corruption.
Themes
ConstitutionJusticeOppressionFreedomCivil Rights
In practice
Example use cases
In a speech advocating for civil liberties, one might say, 'As B. R. Ambedkar stated, if I find the constitution being misused, I shall be the first to burn it.'
More from B. R. Ambedkar
All quotes βPolitical tyranny is nothing compared to the social tyranny and a reformer who defies society is a more courageous man than a politician who defies Government.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
Democracy is not merely a form of government. It is primarily a mode of associated living, of conjoint communicated experience. It is essentially an attitude of respect and reverence towards fellow men.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
Law and Order are the medicine of the body politic and when the body politic gets sick, medicine must be administered.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
Similar quotes
It is good to have an end to journey toward, but it is the journey that matters in the end.
Ursula K. Le GuinRead
It is true that 'I seem to see a table' does not entail 'I see a table'; but 'I seem to feel a pain' does entail 'I feel a pain'. So scepticism loses its force - cannot open up its characteristic gap - with regard to that which ultimately most concerns us, pleasure and pain.
Galen StrawsonRead
In all the co-temporary discussions and comments, which the Constitution underwent, it was constantly justified and recommended on the ground, that the powers not given to the government, were withheld from it.
James MadisonRead
The church hates a thinker precisely for the same reason a robber dislikes a sheriff, or a thief despises the prosecuting witness.
Robert Green IngersollRead
It was a Greek tragedy. Nixon was fulfilling his own nature. Once it started it could not end otherwise.
Henry A. KissingerRead
If we wish to discuss knowledge in the most highly developed contemporary society, we must answer the preliminary question of what methodological representation to apply to that society
Jean-Francois LyotardRead