Constituent Assembly

Surya arrived in Delhi in the urgency.

The reason was, the leaders of India were gathering to discuss the foundational framework of the nation's constitution—a document that would guide the future of the country.

As he entered the room, Surya was greeted by the sight of familiar faces: Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose, Jawaharlal Nehru, Bhim Rao Ambedkar, and other legal scholars who were already deep in discussion. The room hummed with the seriousness of their task.

Taking his seat, Surya glanced around the table.

Everyone was here to contribute their vision for India's future, and he had his own vision to share. One that could change the social structure of the country forever.

After a few moments of small talk, the meeting officially began. Nehru spoke first, outlining the broad principles of democracy, individual rights, and governance that he believed should form the bedrock of the constitution. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who had been tasked with drafting the document, listened intently, his mind already working on the complex legal framework that would emerge from these discussions.

Then, when the moment felt right, Surya spoke up. His voice was clear, his words decisive. "I believe we need to address the issue of caste in our constitution."

All of them turned toward him. Surya could feel their attention on him. "The caste system has divided this country for centuries. If we truly want to build a united and progressive India, we cannot carry these divisions forward into our future. There must be no reservations based on caste in our constitution. No special privileges based on one's birth. Only those who are disabled should receive any form of reservation, and even then, it should be focused on their abilities, not their background."

There was a pause in the room.

Bhim Rao Ambedkar, who had been quietly listening, raised his head. His face, usually calm and thoughtful, showed signs of disapproval. "Surya," he began, his tone measured but firm, "I understand your perspective. You come from a place of privilege where caste has not been an obstacle in your life. But for people like me, and millions of others who belong to the so-called 'lower castes,' the situation is different. The caste system has oppressed and marginalized entire communities for centuries. How can you say that we should not have reservations when so many of us are still struggling to rise out of poverty and discrimination?"

Surya met Ambedkar's gaze evenly. "I'm not ignoring the historical injustices, Dr. Ambedkar. But I believe that reservations based on caste only perpetuate the divisions that we are trying to eliminate. If we continue to categorize people based on caste, even in the name of uplifting them, we are still acknowledging and institutionalizing the very system we wish to dismantle. What I am proposing is a society where caste no longer matters, where people are judged solely on their merit, and where the government helps those in need regardless of their background. If someone from a disadvantaged community needs help with education, the government should provide that. But there should be no permanent label attached to anyone."

Ambedkar's brow furrowed. "But how do you expect people from oppressed communities to compete on an equal footing with those who have had generations of privilege? The playing field is not level, and simply removing reservations will not change that."

Surya leaned forward, his voice steady. "I'm not saying that the playing field is level now. But we can't make it level by institutionalizing caste through reservations. What we need is real, substantive support—schools, healthcare, economic opportunities—for those who have been left behind. Not a system that keeps reminding them of their supposed inferiority by offering them reservations based on their caste."

The room grew tense as the debate unfolded. Nehru and Bose listened carefully, clearly torn between the ideals of a caste-free society and the practical realities of India's deep-seated social hierarchy.

Ambedkar, however, was not ready to concede. "Surya, I understand your vision, but I think you underestimate the depth of caste discrimination in this country. Without reservations, how do you expect people who have been oppressed for centuries to rise to the same level as those who have never faced such obstacles?"

Surya nodded, acknowledging the concern. "Dr. Ambedkar, I don't underestimate the depth of discrimination. I've seen it firsthand. But I also believe that the solution is not to cement these divisions into law. We need to empower people, not by telling them they need special treatment, but by ensuring they have the same opportunities to succeed. If someone is from a poor family—no matter their caste—they should receive help. But let's not make caste the defining factor of anyone's future."

The room was silent again, the gravity of the conversation sinking in. Finally, Netaji Bose spoke, his voice cutting through the tension. "Perhaps there is a middle ground here. We cannot ignore the caste-based oppression that has existed in India, but at the same time, we must strive for a society where caste no longer holds any meaning."

Ambedkar sighed, the weight of his own experiences showing in his expression. "I don't know if such a society is possible, Surya. Not in our lifetime. But I agree that the goal should be to make caste irrelevant. The question is how we get there."

Surya smiled slightly. "We get there by investing in education, by building institutions that treat people equally, and by ensuring that no one is left behind. We can't get there by continuing to categorize and divide people based on birth."

Ambedkar was silent for a moment, then he spoke softly. "I don't agree with everything you're saying, Surya. But I understand your vision. I will think about it."

The discussion continued late into the night, with other leaders weighing in on various aspects of the constitution. But Surya's words had planted a seed, a bold idea that challenged the very foundations of Indian society. Whether or not it would take root remained to be seen. But one thing was clear: the future of India was being shaped in that room, and the path ahead would require both courage and compromise.

As the meeting ended, Surya knew the road to a truly united and progressive India was long, but the first steps had been taken. Now, it was up to them to decide how to move forward.

As the final discussions on the constitution began to wrap up, and the scholars, leaders, and prominent figures started to gather their belongings, preparing to leave, Surya stood up suddenly. His voice cut through the murmurs in the room, and everyone halted in their tracks.

"Wait," he said firmly, his eyes scanning the room. "Before we all leave, there's something important I need to say."

The room fell silent once more as all eyes turned to him. Nehru, Bose, Ambedkar, and others paused, curious about what Surya had to share. There was a certain weight in his voice, as if he were about to speak of matters far beyond the current constitutional debate.

Surya took a deep breath, knowing full well that his words would leave a lasting impact. "In the future, there will be elections," he began, his tone measured but filled with a sense of inevitability. "And none of us know who will win between me, Mr. Nehru, or anyone else. The people will decide, and we must respect that. But there is something we must agree on now, no matter who leads this country after the elections. It is our collective duty."

Everyone was listening intently now. Even Nehru, known for his strong opinions, was quiet, his expression thoughtful.

Surya continued, "India's future cannot be determined by just politics. It must be built on a foundation of strength, unity, and progress. And there are four pillars we must focus on: infrastructure, education, defence and healthcare. Without these, no nation can truly stand strong."

He paused for a moment, letting his words sink in. "We need to develop India's infrastructure, first and foremost. Roads, railways, power, water—these are not just luxuries; they are necessities for a thriving nation. We must connect every village, every town, and every city. Without this, how can we expect our people to prosper?"

Heads nodded around the room. Even those who disagreed with Surya on some matters recognized the importance of his words.

"And education," Surya went on, "is the key to breaking the chains of ignorance that have held us back for centuries. Every child, regardless of where they are born, must have access to quality education. Not just basic literacy, but real knowledge—science, mathematics, history, finance, l—so that we can compete with the world. An educated population is an empowered population."

Ambedkar leaned forward, his interest piqued. He had always advocated for education as the great equalizer, and it seemed Surya was echoing those sentiments.

"Healthcare," Surya added, his voice growing even more serious. "Our people are the backbone of this nation, and we cannot let them suffer from diseases that can be prevented. We need hospitals, clinics, and trained doctors in every corner of this country. We need a healthcare system that cares for every citizen, rich or poor."

There was a murmur of agreement. India had long been plagued by poor healthcare, and the importance of addressing this was not lost on anyone in the room.

But then Surya's tone shifted, becoming sharper. "And finally, something we must not overlook: military power."

This caught everyone's attention. Nehru frowned slightly, as he had often spoken of diplomacy and peace. But Surya pressed on.

"We live in a world where strength matters. If we are to protect our borders, our sovereignty, and our people, we need a strong military. We must develop our army, navy, and air force to not only defend India but to ensure that no one dares to challenge our place in the world. The world respects power, and we must not be seen as weak or vulnerable."

Nehru raised his hand gently. "Surya, I understand the need for a defense, but don't you think our focus should be on peace and diplomacy? We must avoid becoming a militarized state."

Surya nodded, acknowledging Nehru's concern. "Peace, Mr. Nehru, is always the goal. But peace without strength is just an illusion. If we cannot defend ourselves, we invite aggression. We must always be prepared, not for war, but for the protection of our people. A strong military acts as a deterrent. It ensures that others think twice before challenging us."

Bose, who had fought for India's independence and knew the importance of military strength, nodded in agreement. "Surya is right. The world is changing, and we must be prepared for whatever challenges come our way."

Surya looked around the room one last time, his eyes locking with each of the leaders present. "We cannot afford to be complacent. Our journey as a free nation is just beginning. Whether it's Nehru, myself, or someone else who wins the trust of the people in the future elections, these must be our priorities. Infrastructure, education, healthcare, and military strength. Without these, we will never truly be free."

The room was quiet for a moment.

Surya exhaled, his voice softening. "India has been broken for too long. Now we have the chance to rebuild her into something stronger, something greater. Let's not waste that opportunity."

With those final words, Surya sat down. The leaders, scholars, and thinkers in the room, some still processing the weight of his words, exchanged glances. There was no immediate applause, no overt recognition of agreement, but something had shifted.

[A/N : Is the chapter good?]

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