Context: Ambedkar Jayanti is observed on 14 April to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Indian politician and social reformer. This day is commemorated as “Equality Day” owing to his invaluable contributions to social justice and the rule of law.
Relevance of the Topic: Prelims: Key facts about Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar.
Dr. B R Ambedkar:
- He was born in 1891.
- Popularly known as Baba Saheb, he was the Principal Architect of Indian Constitution. He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly.
- He led several social movements to secure and safeguard human rights for the oppressed and miserable sectors of society.
- He became the first Indian to get a Doctorate (PhD) degree in Economics from abroad and is the only Indian whose statue is attached to Karl Marx in the London Museum.
Important Life Events and Contributions:
- Ambedkar was against caste-based discrimination and untouchability in society and advocated for Dalits to organize and demand their rights.
- He condemned Hindu scriptures that he thought propagated caste discrimination.
- He was part of the Bombay Presidency Committee that worked with the Simon Commission in 1928.
- Ambedkar entered the Bombay Legislative Council as a nominated member in 1927 and as an elected one in 1937.
- Established Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha in 1924 to promote education and socio-economic improvements among the Dalits.
- In December 1927 he led a Satyagraha to establish the civic rights of the untouchables to draw water from a public tank in Mahad, Maharashtra.
- Ambedkar conducted another Satyagraha in March 1930 to establish the rights of the untouchables to enter the famous temple of Kalaram at Nasik (Bombay Presidency).
- He started magazines like Mooknayak ,Bahishkrit Bharat and Equality Janta.
- Advocated separate electorates for ‘Depressed Classes’.
- However, Gandhi was against a separate electorate for Depressed classes.
- Later, an agreement was signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar, whereby it was agreed to give reserved seats to the depressed classes within the general electorate. (Poona Pact 1932).
- Founded the Independent Labour Party (later transformed into Scheduled Castes Federation) in 1936.
- Ambedkar was one of eight Indians nominated by the Viceroy on the 13-member Defence of India Council in 1941.
- Ambedkar considered the Right to Constitutional Remedy as the soul of the Constitution.
- Being the Law Minister, Dr Ambedkar fought vigorously for the passage of the Hindu Code Bill, the most significant reform for women’s rights to marriage and inheritance.