The Madras High Court has expressed deep anguish over an incident where a poster bearing the photograph of Dr B R Ambedkar was desecrated during his birth anniversary celebrations. The court observed that a true tribute to the architect of the Indian Constitution lies not merely in statues and ceremonies, but in ensuring that every child in the state understands why Ambedkar matters to India.
Court's Observations on Ambedkar's Legacy
Justice L Victoria Gowri remarked that it is deeply unfortunate that many young minds are not taught with sufficient seriousness and depth about the life and contributions of the Father of the Indian Constitution. She noted that Dr Ambedkar was not just the chairman of the drafting committee but a jurist of formidable intellect, an economist of rare distinction, a social reformer of unmatched courage, and a nation-builder who transformed centuries of civilisational pain into constitutional hope.
The judge further stated that the larger-than-life personality of Dr Ambedkar is too often reduced to a sectional emblem, when in truth he belongs to the entire nation. She emphasised that the failure of the state to nurture civic understanding among students can have grave consequences, and constitutional literacy is not an ornamental aspiration but part of the state's social responsibility.
Directive for Curriculum Inclusion
The court directed the state government to take necessary policy steps to introduce appropriate lessons on Dr Ambedkar's contributions in the Social Science curriculum for students from Class III to Class X. The lessons should cover his role as chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution, his contribution to the constitutional vision of justice, liberty, equality and fraternity, his role in the freedom movement and democratic nation-building, and his scholarly achievements in economics, law and social thought.
The state has been asked to give effect to this curricular inclusion from the academic year 2027-2028, subject to pedagogical planning, academic structuring, and compliance with all applicable norms.
Background of the Case
The court was hearing a petition filed by G Rajesh and S Vijay seeking to quash a case registered against them in 2018 by the Somanathapuram police station in Sivaganga district. The complainant, Amuthan alias Chithiravelu, a VCK functionary, had put up posters bearing Ambedkar's photograph at Pulikuthi bus stand. Rajesh tore a poster and urinated on it, while Vijay videographed the act and circulated it in a WhatsApp group.
The petitioners sought to quash the proceedings based on a joint compromise memo with the complainant. However, Justice L Victoria Gowri directed them to purchase 101 books each in Tamil on the life history of Dr Ambedkar. They were required to read the book themselves, retain one copy each, and distribute the remaining 100 copies each to students studying in a government school.
The judge conducted an oral test in camera for both petitioners, and they answered the questions satisfactorily, demonstrating that they had not merely purchased and distributed books as a ritualistic act but had actually read and understood the substance. Considering that their repentance appeared real and their transformation was evident, the court quashed the case against them.
