Disciple:
Pronam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Pronam, baba. Blessings to you.
Disciple:
Gurudev, this is January 2022. We recently observed Netaji's birthday on January 23rd, and we have Republic Day coming up on January 26th. It will be our 73rd Republic Day. Every year around this time, I ask you for your perspective on this day. I would really like to know how you view the concept of a Republic and Republic Day.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Well, it's not exactly about a "perspective." After India gained independence, the ruling leaders felt they should do something beneficial for the people (praja). They decided that a constitution should be created specifically for the citizens, a framework by which people would live.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
They made a significant decision—they didn't choose a wealthy or elite person for this task. Instead, they chose a Dalit, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, and gave him the responsibility. If you read about Dr. Ambedkar's life today, it will bring tears to your eyes. You would see how the Dalit community was oppressed by the upper classes back then. The Congress government of that time decided that he should be the one to draft the constitution, believing it would lead to a better outcome.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
At that time, the population of India was around 330 to 350 million. It wasn't as vast as it is now; today, we are 1.3 billion people. Dr. Ambedkar drafted the constitution based on the needs of that time. However, looking at it now, I feel that parts of that constitution need to be removed, and new elements need to be added. The population has grown immensely, and the people have changed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
As a result, that original constitution is no longer as effective as it used to be. It was created with the poor in mind, and at that time, India was truly a country of the poor. There were only a few wealthy individuals; the rest were the lower class. They were uneducated and hadn't been given opportunities for learning. Many were marginalized.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Now, I feel the constitution should be changed. Without these changes, it cannot be utilized properly in today's context.
Disciple:
Exactly. The population has quadrupled since then. Back then, India was heavily dependent on agriculture, and the era was different. The constitution was drafted with specific hopes for progress. Today, India has reached a much higher level across various sectors. The gap between then and now is vast. Perhaps because of a lack of foresight regarding the future population explosion, the constitution has remained the same.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Of course. He couldn't have anticipated such a massive increase in population and development. He drafted it based on the reality of those days. But today, it's clear it isn't serving its purpose well. I repeatedly say the constitution needs to be changed. It is up to the leaders to decide, but they seem to be holding on to the old one without considering necessary amendments.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Many countries have amended their constitutions. They might have started with weak foundations, but they changed them over time to suit their needs.
Disciple:
It's interesting because our constitution borrowed many elements—some from the British, some from the French, others from Australia or Russia. Yet, while those countries have updated their laws and regulations over time, India hasn't evolved in the same way.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That is why I say it needs changing. There are many aspects that simply don't work anymore. If we don't change it, India will continue to suffer. You've heard me say this before: "The book of law costs five rupees, but the book on how to break the law costs five hundred rupees."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
In India, breaking the law has almost become an ideal for some. People don't care about the rules the government sets; their main goal is to find ways to bypass them. They don't particularly like laws. They feel that if there are no laws, it's better. When laws exist, people think, "What can the law do? The police will come, take some money, and leave."
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I hear this from many people I talk to. They say, "We are the law. What can the police do? We will just pay them off and get out." I sit with people, listen to their stories, and share what I've learned from them. Based on those experiences, I truly believe the constitution must be updated. The old, stagnant laws aren't helping. We are following laws that are 70 or 80 years old, dating back to the British era. Even though the British left decades ago, their "Yes sir, No sir" culture remains. We haven't had the strength or initiative to create something truly our own.
Disciple:
Also, Gurudev, people have now learned how to navigate the boundaries of the law.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Precisely. And in India, we don't really have severe punishments like execution for most crimes. At most, someone might get two months in jail or a fine. There is a complete lack of exemplary punishment. Other countries are much more progressive in this regard. For example, in China, someone caught adulterating milk for children was reportedly tied to a lamp post and shot. Such things aren't possible here, so people feel they won't face any real consequences. They think, "At most, I'll go to jail, but I've already made my money." This mindset has taken hold.
Disciple:
I was speaking to a traffic policeman recently, and he told me something strange. He said that if they catch 100 people, 60 of them will have some kind of "recommendation" or influence to get them off. Out of the remaining 40, about 15 will pay a bribe to avoid a formal fine. They have targets for how many fines they need to collect, so they manage the numbers that way. Maybe 5% actually pay the legal fine, and 10% just manage to flee. They've calculated the math of corruption within those 100 people.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
That's exactly the problem. This is how the country is running—on a foundation of misinformation and loopholes. You won't find this everywhere in the world. I strongly feel we must change the constitution. We are still stuck with the British-era mindset of sycophancy.
Disciple:
Another issue is the way people are rewarded. Awards and recognition have become so devalued. People who truly deserve them often don't get them. This is a major grievance for many talented and virtuous people. While crimes continue, those who want to do good are often suppressed.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Whether someone is good or not doesn't seem to matter as much as who is recommending them. This is causing a lot of damage. Deserving people are left behind while others move forward through influence.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
The constitution needs to be changed for a better future. People need to understand what is in the constitution; currently, half of it is a blur to the average citizen.
Disciple:
People watch so many shows about serial killers and distorted mindsets, but there is no effort to teach people about the constitution, especially for those below the age of 18 or in school. People should know the constitution from a young age; it is the soul of our country. But our soul was drafted by others, borrowing from different nations.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
We need a constitution that has an "Indian stamp" on it, written in our own language and reflecting our own values. That is my only request: change the constitution. Make it your own.
Disciple:
This is a powerful message from Gurudev. As we approach the 73rd Republic Day, we should celebrate it, but also understand why we celebrate it. We invite you to share your thoughts in the comments. We want to hear your views so we can provide better information in our future videos.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
I want people to be informed. You can't keep 1.3 billion people in the dark. The original constitution was for 350 million people; Ambedkar couldn't have known how much we would grow in 70 years. Our leaders should create a healthy, indigenous constitution that isn't just a copy of the British or others. It should be truly Indian.
Disciple:
Pronam, Gurudev.
Guru Shyama Khyapa:
Blessings.