CREATING THE SOCIAL FOUNDATION FOR SUSTAINING DEMOCRACY
A COMPARATIVE STUDY OF THE IDEAS OF
N. F. S. GRUNDTVIG (1783 -1872) DENMARK and B. R. AMBEDKAR (1881-1956) INDIA
by W. J. Basil Fernando
Impiled in the concepts of Ambedkar and Grundtvig about the people is their views on the nature of political culture which sustain an active democracy on a constant basis. The achievements of the Folk School movement are part of the heritage of Denmark. This was put to me by a 13-year-old Danish boy: “Our teachers encourage us to discuss. There is a belief that if we discuss we become better persons.” How different to the usual idea that silence is the sign of good student! And how vastly different to the idea in the caste system that the breaking of silence by those who are considered low caste should be punished violently. Even today murders and rapes take place simpy because such people dared to speak. What Ambedkar sought was a complete change. In fact, much has already been achieved on this basis; by and large, the Dalits of today are much more articulate than their forefathers and are actively asserting their presence. India’s political troubles of today come from these awakened and active people who are breaking the draconian control of caste. India looks forward to a crucial change where the ideas of Ambedkar will become a reality in the way that Grundtvig’s ideas did come to realisation in Danish life.
Published in August 2000 by the Asian Human Rights Commission, 133 pages, Language: English. ISBN – 962-8314-08-4
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