Ramachandra Ananga

7 MAY 1949 

From 

Sri Veera Sri Veeradhi Veeravara Pratapa
Sri Sri Sri Ramachandra Ananga Bhima Dev,
Kesari Gajapathi, Zamindar of Bodokhemidi,
Ananda Bhavan, Berhampore (Ganjam) Orissa. 

To 

The Hon’ble The President of the
Constituent Assembly of India,
New Delhi. 

Dear Sir, 

 After having perused Article 22 of Part III relating to Fundamental Rights I submit herewith my- reaction. 

India has always been and is still recognised as great for her spiritual superiority if not for  anything else. When in the name of religion there had been wars in many countries with a tremendous loss of human lives, India has always been a symbol of peace  and toleration and recognised that there is room for – all religions in this World. 

This being the case it is really painful to – think that our state is not going to provide religious instruction in any of its educational Institutions. That our Statesmen, responsible for drafting our   constitution, wish to bring about a state which does not recognise God can be brushed aside as fantastic. What then can be the reason? 

Fearing the consequences of any undue stress on the part of any biassed denominational religious – instruction and consequent condemnation of other forms of worship, our Statesmen want to do away with religious instruction altogether. I am afraid the effects of this negative attitude of theirs are not forseen by our elders, when specially in this formative stage alone these pupils’ minds, are moulded. The thinking  section of humanity today are trying to discover the path of unity in all religions that mankind foolishly may not destroy itself. It is not the founders of — religions but the ignorant among the followers that – are at variance. Our Statesmen at the helm are no  – doubt as anxious as, any one else to bring about such a happy state of human society. 

My humble suggestion is therefore this:-  

Instead of this negative approach of dispensing altogether with any kind of religious training in the formative stage of these young minds, they will do well to instill so to say even from the very start a respect for all religions including theirs. In short right from the beginning they should be made to feel that this is Gods’ World and all of us are one big human family. The State must insist that every Government Institution must impart a short of universal Religion to all pupils A small pamphlet or booklet containing the best of all religions must be introduced in all schools and taught compulsorily. 

I pray therefore that this suggestion be put  – forth as an amendment by one of the members of the  – drafting committee preferably by Dr. Ambedkar himself. 

Yours most faithfully, 

Zamindar of Bodokhemidi, Ganjam, 

Orissa. 

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