Born on 14 April 1891, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is known as the father of the Indian Constitution. Dr Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar fought against the caste system, Dalit Rights, oppression of women and injustice against the labourers.
The Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr B.R. Ambedkar, is one of the most influential voices for justice and equality in modern India. Born into a poor Dalit family at a time when caste discrimination was deeply rooted in society, he faced humiliation and hardship from a young age. However, through determination, education and ambition, he rose to become a notable scholar, lawyer, economist and one of the chief architects of the Indian Constitution. If today dalits are getting their rights, it is mainly due to Dr Ambedkar, as he fought against society's evils and dehumanization of the untouchables.
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar strongly believed that education can uplift women, untouchables and marginalised communities and rescue them from the tight clutches of injustice. To fight for this vision, he went on to establish educational institutions for the ‘depressed classes’ and introduced Article 17 in the Indian Constitution for ‘Abolition of Untouchability’. Dr B.R. Ambedkar was also an economic leader whose research and work on economics directly influenced the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India. He also championed industrialization and agricultural reforms and advocated for land nationalization and labour rights. As a social reformer, he strongly advocated for gender equality, women’s rights, and reformed personal laws to grant women greater rights regarding marriage, divorce and property.
Who is Dr B.R. Ambedkar?
Born on 14 April 1891, Dr B.R. Ambedkar is known as the father of the Indian Constitution. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar fought against the caste system, Dalit Rights, oppression of women and injustice against the labourers. He was born in a Dalit family where his father served in the Indian army. Although he attended school, he faced discrimination for being untouchable and received little to no help from teachers. Bhimrao Ambedkar's childhood experiences inspired him to bring a social revolution to abolish untouchability.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar grew up to be an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who served as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the nation's first Law Minister. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar was a champion for the rights of Dalits and marginalized communities and led movements against untouchability and social discrimination. As the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, Dr B.R. Ambedkar played an important role in shaping the Constitution of India. He fought against the caste system, oppression of women and injustice against the labourers.
Dr. B.R Ambedkar’s Life Experiences of Caste Discrimination
Dr. Ambedkar was born into the Mahar caste, which falls low in the hierarchy of the caste system. Being a Dalit or untouchable, his childhood was filled with difficulties. Bhimrao Ambedkar received little to no help from teachers and school and was not allowed to sit inside the classroom. When they needed to drink water, someone from a higher caste had to pour that water from a height as they were not allowed to touch either the water or the vessel that contained it. In case nobody was available to fetch him water, he had to remain thirsty. To listen to the lectures, he had to sit on a gunny sack which he had to take back home as it was considered ‘dirty’ by the upper caste people. After the death of his mother, he was raised by a paternal aunt in difficult circumstances. Despite all odds, he became the first Dalit from his caste to attend college.
Concept of Untouchability and Caste Discrimination in India
Untouchability in India is a deeply rooted system of social exclusion and hierarchy of caste discrimination, where Dalits, who are also known as untouchables, are considered impure and subjected to segregation, violence, and systematic oppression. They are denied economic opportunities and access to holy places only based on their birth identity. If a person is born into a Dalit family, they have to endure a lifetime of harassment and poverty. Dr. B.R.Ambedkar introduced Article 17 in the Indian Constitution to abolish untouchability.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Biography
Dr B.R. Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist and social reformer who served as the principal architect of the Constitution of India and the first Law Minister. Born into a Mahar Dalit family, he overcame severe caste discrimination to become a leading scholar and a visionary leader. Bhimrao Ambedkar fought for the rights of the untouchables and advocated for equality, liberty and fraternity. Let’s take a look at the biography of Dr B.R. Ambedkar.
Bhimrao Ambedkar Education & Early Life
Dr Ambedkar was born on April 14 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. Bhimrao Ambedkar was born into a Dalit family and faced intense discrimination as a child. Despite this, he pursued higher education by earning doctorates in economics from Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He was the first person from his caste to attend college.
Social Reform Movements
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar led movements for the rights of Dalits, such as the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927 for water rights and founded periodicals like Mook Nayak and Bahishkrit Bharat to fight for social justice. Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar also led the Kalaram Temple Entry Movement to grant access to Dalits into temples.
Bhimrao Ambedkar Political Career and Constitutional Role
As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar played an important role in shaping the Preamble of Indian Constitution and introduced Article 17, which abolished untouchability. Bhimrao Ambedkar also served as India's first Law and Justice Minister from 1947 to 1951.
Conversion to Buddhism
Toward the end of his life, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar converted to Buddhism in 1956, which sparked a massive movement among his followers. Bhimrao Ambedkar was against some religious Hindu principles and founded a modern interpretation of religion called the Navyana Buddhism, which emphasises equality, liberty, and fraternity while rejecting traditional doctrines like rebirth and karma.
Political Career of Dr B.R. Ambedkar
Dr B.R. Ambedkar served as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution and the nation’s first Law Minister from 1947 to 1951. Bhimrao Ambedkar championed Dalit rights, establishing the Independent Labour Party in 1936 and the Scheduled Castes Federation in 1942 to secure political power for the depressed classes. Let's take a close look at the political career of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar.
1. Architect of the Constitution
As Chairman of the Drafting Committee in 1947, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar oversaw the creation of the Constitution and ensured safety for scheduled castes, tribes and backward classes. He introduced the constitutional abolition of untouchability as per Article 17 and established the system of reservations in civil services and education. This protected the Dalits from intense harassment.
2. Political Foundations (1920s-1936)
Ambedkar's formal entry into politics began with his fight for the rights of Dalits, most notably At the Round Table Conferences of 1930-1932, he demanded separate electorates for the Dalits. In 1932, he signed the Poona Pact with Madan Mohan Malaviya on behalf of Mahatma Gandhi to secure reserved seats for the depressed classes within the general electorate.
3. Independent Labour Party (1936)
Dr Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936 to address the grievances of the working class and marginalized communities, particularly the Dalits. He won 15 seats in the 1937 Bombay Assembly elections.
4. Labour Minister (1942-1946)
Dr BR Ambedkar went on to serve in the Viceroy's Executive Council and introduced key labour reforms such as the Factories Act of 1946 and the Employees' State Insurance. He served as independent India's first Minister of Law and Justice in Jawaharlal Nehru's cabinet.
5. First Law Minister (1947-1951)
After becoming the Law and Justice Minister, Dr BR Ambedkar championed the Hindu Code Bill to promote gender equality in inheritance and marriage and divorce for women, but later resigned due to disagreements over its lack of passage.
6. Later Political Activity
After resigning, Dr Ambedkar served as a member of the Rajya Sabha from 1952 to 1956 and led the Dalit Buddhist movement after converting to Buddhism in 1956. He was utterly disappointed with the traditional Hindu religious beliefs and went onto founding a modern branch of Buddhism, focusing on equality and liberty.
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Contributions
Dr B.R. Ambedkar was a revolutionary leader who served as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution by strengthening democratic principles, social justice and fundamental rights. As India's first Law Minister, he initiated legal reforms for women, labour rights and marginalized communities, along with shaping India's economic policies, which included the creation of the RBI. Let’s take a look at Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar’s contributions.
1. Architect of the Indian Constitution
As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he ensured constitutional protections for equality, liberty and fraternity of the people. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar also advocated for the abolition of untouchability through Article 17 and introduced protective policies such as Articles 154 and 164.
2. Social Reformer
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar fought against caste-based discrimination, promoted education through the establishment of institutions and fought for human rights for the depressed classes. He led movements such as the Mahad Satyagraha and founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarani Sabha for the upliftment of the untouchables.
3. Economic Visionary
His research and work on economics influenced the establishment of the Reserve Bank of India. Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar also championed industrialization & agricultural reforms and advocated for land nationalization and labour rights.
4. Champion of Women's Rights
Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar strongly advocated for gender equality and worked to reform personal laws through The Hindu Code Bill to grant women security and greater rights regarding marriage, divorce and property. He believed that education could uplift women and free them from the clutches of injustice.
5. Political Leader & Thinker
In August 1936, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party and the Scheduled Castes Federation, which focused on political empowerment of the labour class and marginalised communities. His intellectual contributions include extensive writings on caste, politics and economics.
6. Conversion to Buddhism
In 1956, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with his followers and founded a modern branch of Buddhism known as Navayana Buddhism, which initiated a movement for social liberation as the new branch focused on equality, liberty and fraternity.
Legacy of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is popularly known as the Father of the Indian Constitution. He championed for social justice, equality and the eradication of untouchability. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar also built institutions like the Reserve Bank of India and empowered women through the Hindu Code Bill. Let’s take a look at the legacy of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar in detail:-
1. Educational Institutions
In 1945, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar formed the People's Improvement Trust, which led to the establishment of Siddhartha College of Law in Bombay and Milind Mahavidyalaya in Aurangabad. These institutions served as foundational centres for Dalit empowerment and education. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar also established hostels and schools, such as Siddharth Night School, which allowed working-class individuals to pursue education.
2. Ambedkar Jayanti
Dr B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated annually on April 14th to honour the birth and legacy of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who is known as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice, equality, and women's security. It is a public holiday in India and is also known as Equality Day.
3. Notable Cinema
Several films have been made on Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar's life, such as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, which won multiple National Film Awards, Bhim Garjana, Balak Ambedkar, Dr B.R. Ambedkar and Ramabai Bhimrao Ambedkar. These films have highlighted his contributions, life journey and efforts for a just society.
4. Literature
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was also a writer, intellectual and social reformer whose literature and ideology have shaped Indian politics. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar's work serves as a foundational text for anti-caste movements, and his legacy is now read by millions. Let’s take a look at some literature works of Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar: -
- Annihilation of Caste (1936): It is an undelivered speech where Dr Ambedkar highlighted the negative impacts of the Hindu caste system.
- The Buddha and His Dhamma (1957): It mentions his philosophical justification for converting to Buddhism.
- Who Were the Shudras? (1948): It analyzes the origins of the lower castes and highlights that they were a part of the existing social structure and not a different group altogether.
- Waiting for a Visa (1993): It is an autobiographical account of his experiences with untouchability.
- Writings and Speeches: The Government of Maharashtra has compiled his unpublished writings and speeches, which are now available through the Dr Ambedkar Foundation.
Conclusion
Dr B. R. Ambedkar was one of the most influential voices for justice and equality in modern India. Despite coming from a Dalit family and facing intense discrimination, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar became the father of the Indian Constitution and the first person from his caste to attend college. He was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader who served as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the nation's first Law & Justice Minister. Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was a champion for the rights of Dalits and led movements against untouchability and caste discrimination. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar led some important political movements such as the Independent Labour Party, Factories Act, Kalaram Temple Entry Movement and Mahad Satyagarh.