Ambedkar Jayanti

Syllabus: GS1/Modern History

Context

• On April 14, India commemorates Ambedkar Jayanti, marking the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar.

About Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar

• Early Life: Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891.
  • He belonged to a Dalit (Scheduled Caste) family and faced severe caste discrimination.
  • Despite hardships, he excelled in education with strong determination.

Major Contributions:

• In Framing of Constitution: He is known as the principle architect of the Constitution, as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, he ensured inclusion of: Fundamental Rights, Equality before law and Abolition of untouchability (Article 17).
  • His vision established a democratic framework with checks and balances among the Executive, Legislature, and Judiciary.
  • He considered the ‘Right to Constitutional Remedies’, enshrined in Article 32, as the ‘heart and soul’ of the Indian Constitution.
• Social: He led movements against caste discrimination and advocated for dalit rights, gender equality and social justice.
  • He founded Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Society for Welfare of the Ostracized) and led social movements such as Mahad Satyagraha in 1927, Kalaram Satyagraha in Nashik (1930).
• Political: He was the first Law Minister of independent India and also founded political organizations like the Independent Labour Party (1936).
  • He advocated for reservation/affirmative action for SCs and STs.
  • Promoted labour rights such as 8-hour workday, maternity benefits, etc.
  • Worked for women’s rights, including reforms in Hindu personal laws.
• Major Literary Works: Annihilation of Caste, The Problem of the Rupee, Who Were the Shudras?,  Mooknayak (fortnightly newspaper, in 1920) and The Bahiskrit Bharat (newspaper, 1927).
• Conversion to Buddhism: In 1956, he embraced Buddhism along with millions of followers.
  • He started a socio-religious movement for equality and dignity.
  • Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was conferred with the title of “Bodhisattva” by the Buddhist monks at “Jagatik Buddhism Council” in 1954 in Kathmandu, Nepal. 

Legacy:

• He is known as the “Father of the Indian Constitution”.
• He was awarded Bharat Ratna (posthumously in 1990).
• His birth anniversary (14 April) is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti.

Source: IE