Political 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
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.
Interpretation
What this quote means
This quote highlights the contrast between the ideals of liberty and equality in the Constitution and the restrictions imposed by societal norms based on religion.
B. R. Ambedkar discusses the duality faced by Indians where the Constitution promotes values of freedom and equality, yet the societal norms shaped by religious traditions often contradict these ideals. This dichotomy presents a challenge to achieving true liberty and fraternity, indicating a need for reconciliation between constitutional aspirations and social realities.
Themes
LibertyEqualityFraternityIdeologyReligionSociety
In practice
Example use cases
This quote could be used in a discussion about the challenges of social reform in India.
More from B. R. Ambedkar
All quotes →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.
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Law and Order are the medicine of the body politic and when the body politic gets sick, medicine must be administered.
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It is disgraceful to live at the cost of one's self-respect. Self-respect is the most vital factor in life. Without it, man is a cipher. To live worthily with self-respect, one has to overcome difficulties. It is out of hard and ceaseless struggle alone that one derives strength, confidence and recognition.
B. R. AmbedkarRead
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