N.G. Ranga
Topic: Framing the Indian Constitution · NCERT: Class 12, Ch 3 "Mahatma Gandhi and the Nationalist Movement"; Class 12, Ch 4 "Framing the Constitution"
Meaning
N.G. Ranga was a socialist and peasant leader from Andhra. In the Constituent Assembly, he welcomed Nehru's Objectives Resolution, the statement of the Constitution's aims. But he gave the word "minority" an economic meaning. For him, the real minorities were the poor: villagers in debt to moneylenders, and tribals whose lands merchants had taken. Rights written on paper meant little without the means to use them. He also pointed out the gap between the Assembly members and the ordinary people they spoke for.
Example
Speaking on the Objectives Resolution in December 1946, Ranga said: "the real minorities are the masses of this country." He added: "They need props. They need a ladder." By this he meant that the poor needed help to actually enjoy their rights.
Don't confuse with
- Religious minorities: these are minorities by faith, such as Muslims. Ranga defined minorities by poverty and class.
Related concepts
- Jaipal Singh
- Adivasi
- J. Nagappa
- K.J. Khanderkar
- Dakshayani Velayudhan
- Jagjivan Ram
- Hansa Mehta
- Abolition of untouchability
- Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes