Syllabus: GS1/History
In News
- President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid floral tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on Mahaparinirvan Diwas at the Parliament complex in New Delhi.
Mahaparinirvan Diwas
- It is observed annually on December 6 to commemorate the death anniversary of Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, fondly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
- Dr. Ambedkar, a revered leader, thinker, and reformer, dedicated his life to championing equality and eradicating caste-based discrimination.
Significance of Mahaparinirvan Diwas
- Mahaparinirvan Diwas is a day of deep reverence that honors his transformative legacy and close ideological connection with Lord Buddha.
- In Buddhist tradition, Mahaparinirvan signifies liberation from the cycle of birth, death, and karma, making it the most sacred day in the calendar.
- Ambedkar, regarded as a Buddhist guru for his role in eradicating untouchability and promoting social justice, is remembered by his followers as equally influential as Buddha.
- The day goes beyond mourning, serving as a moment of reflection and inspiration to uphold Ambedkar’s vision of equality, justice, and an inclusive society.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Advocacy for Social Justice
- Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, dedicated his life to uplifting marginalized communities, especially Dalits, women, and labourers, who faced systemic social discrimination.
- He recognized that caste oppression was fracturing the nation and sought transformative measures to address these deep-rooted injustices.
- He proposed revolutionary steps to empower the oppressed, including reservations in education, employment, and politics.
Major Contributions
- He launched the newspaper Mooknayaka (Leader of the Silent) to amplify the voices of the downtrodden.
- He established the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association) in 1923 to spread education, improve economic conditions, and address societal inequalities.
- His leadership in historic movements such as the Mahad March (1927) for access to public water and the temple entry movement at Kalaram Temple (1930) challenged caste hierarchies and priestly dominance.
- Dr. B R Ambedkar’s pivotal role in the Poona Pact of 1932, which replaced separate electorates with reserved seats for Dalits, marked a turning point in India’s fight for social justice.
- His ideas were instrumental in framing the guidelines for the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Act, 1934, and influencing the creation of the RBI itself.
- He championed systemic advancements such as the foundation of Employment Exchanges, the establishment of the National Power Grid System, and pivotal projects like the Damodar Valley Project, Hirakud Dam Project, and Sone River Project, showcasing his foresight in infrastructure and resource management.
- As Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Ambedkar played a pivotal role in crafting the Indian Constitution, presenting a draft in 1948 that was adopted in 1949 with minimal changes.
- His emphasis on equality and justice ensured provisions that protected the rights of Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, laying the groundwork for an inclusive democracy.
Source: Air
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