Indian Constitution: Dr. Ambedkar Authored Or BN Rao

Welcome to a factual analysis that unmasks a persistent historical distortion: the false claim that B.N. Rao, not Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, was the primary author of the Indian Constitution.

Table of Contents:

Understanding Historical Distortion and Narrative Control

History often becomes a battleground for competing narratives, where facts can be twisted to serve specific agendas. One method of distortion involves taking historical facts about a person or event and weaving fictional characters or stories around them. This creates an illusion of truth, making it difficult for people to discern reality from fiction. Think of it like photoshopping history – taking a real image and altering it to tell a different story. This tactic aims to manipulate perceptions and deny credit where it is due, sometimes by attributing achievements to fictional or less significant characters, often from dominant social groups.

Past Examples of Distortion

This pattern of distorting historical achievements is not new. We see it in various historical narratives:

• Chandragupta Maurya: Despite Emperor Chandragupta Maurya’s monumental victories and the establishment of the Mauryan Empire, certain narratives have attributed his success primarily to a figure like Chanakya (also known as Vishnu Gupta). This narrative often implies Chandragupta was merely a creation of the great Chanakya, rather than a formidable leader in his own right.
• Shivaji Maharaj: Attempts have also been made to suggest Shivaji Maharaj’s kingship depended on a coronation by a Brahmin like Gag Bhatt, or to portray Ramdas as his primary guru, despite historical evidence suggesting otherwise. Such narratives seemingly try to frame the achievements of a powerful leader through the lens of external validation from specific social groups.
• Kabir: Even figures like Kabir, renowned for challenging casteism and Brahmanism, have been subjected to attempts to associate them with Brahmin gurus, seemingly to co-opt their legacy despite their clear opposition to caste hierarchies.

These examples show a recurring pattern: taking the achievements of great individuals and attempting to attribute their success or influence to Brahmin figures, seemingly to claim credit or reinterpret history through a specific lens.

The Campaign Against Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Legacy

This pattern of historical distortion appears to have been applied to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, particularly concerning his undeniable role in drafting the Indian Constitution. For decades, a campaign has propagated the claim that Dr. Ambedkar did not write the constitution; instead, it asserts that B.N. Rao was the principal contributor.

Claims Promoting B.N. Rao as Author

The central claim widely promoted across various platforms is that B.N. Rao, identified as a Brahmin, was the main architect of the Indian Constitution, minimizing or denying Dr. Ambedkar’s role entirely. Proponents of this narrative point to social media posts claiming Dr. Ambedkar himself credited B.N. Rao in the Constituent Assembly for preparing the ‘true draft.’

Spread of the Narrative

This claim has been widely spread across social media and various media platforms. Searches on popular video platforms and search engines often yield results predominantly promoting the idea that B.N. Rao was the Constitution’s maker, often with hashtags promoting this view that trended on significant days like Constitution Day. Even statements from public figures and articles in major news outlets have contributed to amplifying this narrative.

Examining B.N. Rao’s Actual Role: The ‘First Draft’

One of the primary arguments for B.N. Rao’s authorship is that he prepared the initial draft. Let’s clarify his actual role within the constitution-making process to understand the significance of this ‘first draft’.

Who Was B.N. Rao?

B.N. Rao (Benegal Narsing Rao) served as the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly. He was a distinguished civil servant, an IAS officer, with a career progression within the British system, including judicial posts and serving as Reform Officer.

Role within the Constituent Assembly

Crucially, B.N. Rao was not an elected member of the Constituent Assembly. He was appointed to his role. His position was that of an advisor and compiler. The Constituent Assembly, formed based on the Cabinet Mission Plan and later adjusted after partition, comprised elected representatives tasked with deciding the framework of India’s constitution.

The Constitution-Making Process: Committees and Compilation

India’s Constitution was not the work of a single person but a multi-stage process involving collective decision-making.

Work of the Committees

After the objective resolution was passed, the Constituent Assembly established numerous committees (reportedly 22) to examine various aspects of the Constitution, such as Fundamental Rights, Union Constitution, etc. These committees consisted of elected members and experts and were responsible for discussing and recommending specific provisions.

B.N. Rao’s Compilation Role

Based on the reports and recommendations submitted by these various committees, the Constitutional Advisor, B.N. Rao, prepared a draft Constitution. His role was analogous to that of a ‘babu’ or secretary in an office: he took the decisions and recommendations made by the committees (the ‘bosses’) and compiled them into a written, organized format. The actual decisions on what should be included came from the committees and the Assembly, not from B.N. Rao himself. This initial compilation, based on the collective inputs, became known as the ‘first draft’ prepared by the Constitutional Advisor’s branch.

Evolution, Not Just Compilation: The Drafting Committee’s Work

The claim that B.N. Rao’s initial compilation was the ‘true draft’ or the constitution itself ignores the subsequent, crucial stages led by the Drafting Committee.

Dr. Ambedkar and the Drafting Committee Take Over

On August 29, 1947, a Drafting Committee was formed, with Dr. B.R. Ambedkar appointed as its Chairman. The fundamental task of this committee was not merely to edit B.N. Rao’s compilation but to examine it critically, integrate the various committee reports into a cohesive structure, make necessary adjustments, and prepare a detailed draft for the Assembly’s debate.

Multiple Drafts, Significant Changes

The Drafting Committee, under Dr. Ambedkar’s leadership, undertook a comprehensive revision. They prepared a revised draft, which was significantly different from B.N. Rao’s initial compilation (which contained 243 articles and 13 schedules). The revised draft presented on February 21, 1948, contained 315 articles and 8 schedules. This demonstrates substantial changes and additions from the initial compilation.

This revised draft was then published and circulated for public comments, criticisms, and suggestions. Thousands of suggestions and amendments were received. The Drafting Committee, led by Dr. Ambedkar, then conducted further extensive deliberations and revisions based on this feedback. They prepared a third, final draft, incorporating necessary changes. Dr. Ambedkar introduced this draft, containing 395 articles and 8 schedules, to the Constituent Assembly on November 4, 1948, for detailed debate and passage.

The Constitution ultimately adopted on November 26, 1949, and enacted on January 26, 1950, was based on this final draft prepared by Dr. Ambedkar’s committee. The final document (395 articles, 8 schedules) was considerably larger and different from B.N. Rao’s initial compilation based on committee recommendations. This process demonstrates that B.N. Rao’s role was limited to compiling initial inputs, while Dr. Ambedkar’s committee fundamentally shaped, expanded, and finalised the text debated and adopted by the nation.

Examining Dr. Ambedkar’s Speech: Context is Key

Another argument used to deny Dr. Ambedkar credit is a quote from his final speech in the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949. Proponents often isolate the line:

“The credit that is given to me is not due to me in a large measure. It is due partly to Sir B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly, who prepared a rough draft of the Constitution for the consideration of the Drafting Committee.”

Understanding the Full Context

Taking this line out of context is misleading. Dr. Ambedkar’s final speech was a comprehensive vote of thanks and reflection on the monumental task completed over nearly three years. In this lengthy address, he meticulously detailed the process, acknowledging the contributions of many individuals and entities involved, including the members of the Drafting Committee, the staff, S.N. Mukherjee (the Chief Draftsman), and even the Congress party for facilitating the process.

He addressed criticisms, compared the process to other countries, detailing the thousands of amendments proposed and debated (7,635 proposed, 2,473 debated), and even expressed surprise at being chosen as chairman, generously stating others were perhaps “more competent.”

His acknowledgement of B.N. Rao was one part of a broad and gracious vote of thanks, giving ‘partial’ credit for a ‘rough draft’ that served as a starting point for the Drafting Committee’s extensive work. It was an act of formality and generosity common at the conclusion of major undertakings, not a declaration that B.N. Rao was the principal author. Isolating this line distorts the spirit and content of his entire speech, which primarily reflected on the committee’s and his own rigorous work in navigating the complex process.

Dr. Ambedkar’s Indispensable Effort

Beyond chairing the committee, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar invested unparalleled personal effort into the constitution-making process, solidifying his role as the chief architect.

Mastering Amendments and Debates

Consider the sheer volume of work: out of over 7,600 proposed amendments, Dr. Ambedkar personally reviewed and responded to the 2,473 that were debated in the Assembly. This required him to stand in the assembly for around 100 days, patiently explaining each clause, defending the committee’s choices, and justifying the acceptance or rejection of amendments. Imagine the intellectual stamina and legal expertise needed for that task!

Leading Through Challenges

He undertook this monumental task despite battling significant health issues. Furthermore, the workload on the Drafting Committee fell disproportionately on him because many other members were unable to participate fully due to illness, death, or other commitments. T.T. Krishnamachari, a committee member, openly stated in the assembly that the burden of drafting the constitution fell primarily on Dr. Ambedkar.

The Scope of the Work

India’s Constitution is the longest written constitution of any sovereign country, with 395 articles (at enactment). Compare this to the US (7 articles), Canada (147), Australia (128), or South Africa (153). Creating such a vast and detailed document, especially one incorporating unique provisions for India’s diverse social landscape and navigating thousands of specific amendments, required immense original thought, legal expertise, and tireless effort – work that Dr. Ambedkar undeniably led and largely carried out.

International Recognition Confirms Ambedkar’s Role

Dr. Ambedkar’s stature and capability were recognized not just in India, but internationally, contributing to his selection for this crucial role.

Influential Recommendations

Dr. Ambedkar held considerable international standing. Sources indicate that Eamon de Valera, the Irish statesman and constitution drafter, reportedly recommended Dr. Ambedkar to Lord Mountbatten and Jawaharlal Nehru for a key role in the process, recognizing his unique capabilities in drafting a democratic constitution.

Confidence from Leaders

Even figures within the British administration recognized his unique qualifications. Lady Edwina Mountbatten, in a letter to Dr. Ambedkar, reportedly expressed her personal satisfaction that he was overseeing the constitution-making, seeing him as uniquely qualified to ensure justice and equality for all classes and creeds in India. Lord Mountbatten, upon seeing Dr. Ambedkar’s name in Nehru’s interim cabinet list, also reportedly expressed satisfaction, acknowledging the understanding among the British that Dr. Ambedkar was essential for creating something equitable and just in India.

While some Indian leaders’ full public acknowledgment of Dr. Ambedkar’s pivotal role took time or came after his passing, their eventual statements confirm his centrality. Dr. Rajendra Prasad years later acknowledged Dr. Ambedkar’s “skilled steering,” and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru stated after his demise that no one took more care or trouble over the constitution than Dr. Ambedkar. This delayed recognition by some figures perhaps underscores the very resistance to fully crediting him during his lifetime, but their eventual admissions validate his preeminent contribution.

Refuting the ‘Copy-Paste’ Myth

Another common, unfounded criticism, often used to diminish Dr. Ambedkar’s credit, is that the Indian Constitution was merely a “copy-paste” of other countries’ constitutions.

Length Alone Debunks the Claim

As Dr. Ambedkar himself pointed out, the sheer size of the Indian Constitution (395 articles at enactment) compared to others available at the time (e.g., US 7, Canada 147, Australia 128, South Africa 153) makes a simple “copy-paste” illogical. Even if the longest existing constitution were copied entirely, hundreds of articles in the Indian Constitution would still be original content, developed through deliberation and adaptation.

Handling Thousands of Amendments

Furthermore, the process involved debating and incorporating or rejecting nearly 2,500 specific amendments. These were not just minor edits; they were suggestions tailored to India’s unique social, economic, and political context. Addressing these required extensive original work, legal reasoning, and negotiation – a process fundamentally opposite to passive copying. This demonstrates that the constitution was a document forged through active debate, adaptation, and significant original drafting, largely led by Dr. Ambedkar.

What can you do?

Understanding the actual historical process of drafting the Indian Constitution is crucial to countering misleading narratives. Rely on factual information from official Constituent Assembly records, Dr. Ambedkar’s speeches, and credible historical accounts.

1. Educate Yourself: Read Dr. Ambedkar’s final speech to the Constituent Assembly in its entirety to understand the context of his acknowledgements. Study the actual stages of Constitution making, the roles of various committees, and the Drafting Committee’s extensive work led by Dr. Ambedkar.
2. Share Accurate Information: Use factual evidence, such as the differences in article count between the initial compilation and the final draft, the number of amendments handled, and historical accounts of Dr. Ambedkar’s workload, to challenge false narratives.
3. Support Reliable Sources: Refer to and share information from reputable historical accounts and scholarly works that detail the Constitution-making process and Dr. Ambedkar’s undeniable central role.
4. Engage in Fact-Based Discussion: When encountering claims that diminish Dr. Ambedkar’s contribution, engage in discussion using the facts and historical context presented, rather than getting drawn into emotional arguments.

By understanding and sharing the facts about the rigorous and multi-stage process of drafting the Constitution, and the immense personal effort and intellectual contribution of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, you can effectively challenge the spread of misleading narratives.

Disclaimer

The following terms are used in this article in the context derived from the analysis of the source material regarding the claims discussed:

• Brahminism/Brahminical: Refers to a social and ideological system or mindset, described within the context of the source material as historically attempting to appropriate credit and maintain hierarchical structures, sometimes through narrative control.
• Savarna: Refers to caste groups historically considered higher in the traditional Indian caste hierarchy.
• Constituent Assembly: The body formed in 1946 to draft the Constitution of India.
• Drafting Committee: A specific committee of the Constituent Assembly, chaired by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, primarily responsible for preparing and refining the draft text of the Constitution.
• Anuchhed (अनुच्छेद): Refers to an Article of the Constitution.
• Anusuchi (अनुसूची): Refers to a Schedule appended to the Constitution.
• Amendment: A change or addition proposed or made to the text of the Constitution draft.

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