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Federation Versus Freedom’ – Why, When, How, and for What Purpose Was It Written?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s book ‘Federation Versus Freedom’ is a significant work that examines the balance between federalism and freedom in India’s political structure. This book was published on March 1, 1939, and its purpose was to analyze the complexities of the federal system being introduced in British India.

In this blog, we will discuss in detail why this book was written, when it was written, how it was written, and what objectives it aimed to fulfill.

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1. Why Was ‘Federation Versus Freedom’ Written?

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a visionary leader and thinker who deeply understood India’s social, political, and legal frameworks. He observed that the emerging political structure in India posed a potential conflict between federalism and true independence.

Main Reasons:

1. British Government’s Policies:

   • The British government passed the Government of India Act, 1935, which proposed the establishment of a federal structure in India.
   • This act aimed to unite Indian princely states and British India under a single federation, but it had several flaws.
   • Ambedkar feared that this federalism might become a hindrance to complete independence.

2. Complexity of Indian Society:

   • India was a diverse country with various ethnic, religious, and linguistic groups.
   • Without a proper federal structure, it would be difficult to safeguard the rights of these groups.
   • Ambedkar believed that weaker sections of society needed structural protection.

3. Decentralization of Power vs. True Independence:

   • According to Ambedkar, if the federal structure was not implemented properly, it could lead to power struggles between the center and the states.
   • He wanted to explain that true independence was not just about freedom from foreign rule but also about maintaining internal governance balance.

4. Contribution to Constitution Building:

   • Ambedkar believed that democracy in India could not succeed without a strong constitution.
   • His book later became an important reference for the drafting of the Indian Constitution.

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2. When Was ‘Federation Versus Freedom’ Written?

Dr. Ambedkar wrote this book between the end of 1938 and the beginning of 1939.

Historical Background:

• In 1935, the British government passed the Government of India Act, 1935, aiming to establish a federal governance system in India.
• The implementation process of this act continued between 1937 and 1939.
• During this period, political conflicts between the Indian National Congress, the Muslim League, Dalit organizations, and other political groups intensified.
• Ambedkar felt that at this critical moment, it was necessary to clarify the impact of federalism on Indian politics.

This book was published on March 1, 1939, and it introduced a new perspective to the political debates of that time.

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3. How Was ‘Federation Versus Freedom’ Written?

Dr. Ambedkar’s writing style was logical, deeply researched, and clear.

Writing Process:

• To write this book, Ambedkar studied several historical documents, constitutional concepts, and federal structures of various countries.
• He analyzed the constitutional systems of the United States, Canada, Australia, and other federal nations.
• His writing was entirely academic and legally strong.
• The book was based purely on arguments and facts, without any political bias.

Chapter Structure:

This book is divided into various chapters to explain the relationship between federalism and freedom.

1. Introductory
2. Birth and Growth of Federation
3. Definition of Federation
4. Structure of the Federation
5. Powers of the Federation
6. Character of the Federation
7. Benefits of the Federation
8. The Bane of the Federation
9. Fatality of the Federation
10. Federation Without the States
11. Federation from Different Points of View
12. Conclusion

Each chapter systematically presents arguments regarding the strengths and weaknesses of the federal system.

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4. For What Purpose Was ‘Federation Versus Freedom’ Written?

Dr. Ambedkar had several clear objectives behind writing this book, related to Indian politics, the constitution, and social justice.

Main Objectives:

1. To Clarify the Debate Between Federalism and Freedom:

   • Ambedkar showed that federalism is not just about giving power to states but also about building a strong central government.
   • He argued that a weak central government could endanger India’s freedom.

2. To Protect the Rights of Dalits and Weaker Sections:

   • Ambedkar knew that if the federal system was not implemented properly, the rights of Dalits and other weaker sections could be in danger.
   • He explained that federalism should be designed in a way that guarantees justice and equality.

3. To Provide Guidelines for Constitution Making:

   • This book served as an important document that influenced the structure of the Indian Constitution.
   • It explained under what conditions federalism could succeed and under what conditions it could fail.

4. To Criticize British Government’s Plans:

   • Ambedkar exposed the weaknesses of the British government’s proposed federal structure.
   • He argued that the Government of India Act, 1935 failed to grant true independence to Indians.

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End of the Article Without Conclusion

‘Federation Versus Freedom’ is a historical book that remains relevant for understanding India’s political and constitutional framework. Dr. Ambedkar wrote it at a time when India was undergoing a significant political transformation. This book deeply influenced the Indian Constitution and the future governance system.