April 5, 2016 marked a significant milestone in Indian political history. While launching the ‘Stand Up India’ initiative to support SC, ST and women entrepreneurs in Uttar Pradesh, Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to senior Congress leader Babu Jagjivan Ram for his tireless contribution to the country. His portrait was displayed on the stage as the Prime Minister addressed the rally. There could never have been a more important time to launch an initiative of this kind to commemorate and modernise Babu’s achievements. Jagjivan Ram was born on April 5, 1908.
The Modi government’s bipartisan policy has called for a renewed focus on social justice as an enabler of empowerment for all. Prostrating in front of Parliament and the Constitution, celebrating Constitution Day, and allowing representation from the socially disadvantaged sections – it is time to reflect on how social justice has been a key pillar of the Indian government under the NDA government, now in its third term.
In the recently concluded general elections, the media has been reporting a lot about the drift of Dalit votes towards the INDI alliance, especially in key states like Uttar Pradesh. While this is true, the government’s unwavering commitment towards ensuring social justice cannot be overlooked. Given that a week is a long time in politics, the possibility of the BJP-led NDA regaining lost votes in the medium to long term cannot be completely ruled out. However, it must be admitted that social justice continues to play a vital role in elections, governance and policies. No political party can ignore it.
Since coming to power in 2014, the BJP-led NDA has demonstrated a new and creative focus on commemoration and representation of the marginalized. Let us focus on some examples, present and past. Consider Mohan Manjhi, the newly sworn-in Chief Minister of Odisha under the BJP’s first government in the state. He has been elected to the state assembly four times and is also a tribal leader. His deep connection with his tribal brethren in the state has propelled him to where he is today. History must also record Congress’ opposition to the selection of Draupadi Murmu as India’s first tribal president. Let us not forget President Murmu’s visit to the inner sanctum of the Ram temple in Ayodhya, a place known to be visited only by people of a particular community in any temple. GC Murmu, a tribal member, is the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and one of India’s most accomplished bureaucrats. This may be one of the highlights of tribal representation at the highest echelons of power in the history of independent India. In line with this, the Union government has already decided to celebrate the year 2025 as Janjaitya Gaurav Varsh to mark the 150th birth anniversary of tribal icon Birsa Munda.
Jitan Ram Manjhi, an 80-year-old youth warrior, is not giving up. His electoral success in Bihar is also thanks to the coalition that PM Modi and Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s NDA cleverly put together on the social justice platform in time for the 2024 general elections. After losses in 2014 and 2019, Manjhi defied the odds this time to win the seat. The veteran Dalit leader hails from the marginalized Musahar community in Bihar and his political career represents the most remarkable rise of any politician in Indian history. He currently serves as the Union Minister for MSMEs in India. This is not the first time that the NDA has brought Dalits into the mainstream political narrative as intellectual capital. In 2001, the then Indian government under Prime Minister Vajpayee issued a postage stamp honouring the little-known Rani Jhalkaribai. The presence of Dalits and OBCs in key positions in the Union Cabinet is indicative of the nature of social justice in the BJP-led NDA government. Modi 3.0 is a continuation of social justice-driven empowerment.
Prior to 2015, 26th November was known as Justice Day. It was during the first term of the current government that this day started to be celebrated as Constitution Day. Coincidentally, this decision coincided with the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. If there are two words that best describe the foundation of our country as a civilised nation, it would be “Constitutional Democracy”. Our Constitution and the Supreme Court, one of its best interpreters, have set a powerful example to the world. Constitution Day is a gentle reminder to all our citizens that they should not only read the Constitution but also live it. We must commend the Government of India and Prime Minister Modi for this innovative initiative, which undoubtedly reaffirms the inviolability of the Indian Constitution and its important provisions such as reservations that empower the marginalised. This day is also a great source of soft power for the country. It gives India a great perspective because it can communicate the fundamental values of the Constitution that have guided us till date – justice, equality, fraternity and freedom – from an Indian perspective, not just at home but also to the world.
From these key examples, it is clear that in the last decade, the BJP has decisively emerged as more than just a “Brahmin-Bania” party. The party remains steadfast in its moral obligation to include OBCs, Dalits, tribals, backward and most backward communities in its purview of policies, affirmative action and governance, even at the risk of losing “traditional” voters. Since 2014, the central government has been operating under the policy that the people do not come to the government, but the government should go to the people, especially the marginalised sections of the society. A single election cannot determine or assess the social justice efforts of a political party or a government. A careful and unbiased analysis of the empowerment and support institutions of the marginalised is required and as such, while a success story so far, it is definitely a work in progress.
Guru is BJP national spokesperson and assistant professor. Sudarshan is a policy expert and author. Views expressed are the authors’ own.
