Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar,popularly known as Babasaheb, remains a titan of modern Indian history. A jurist, economist, and politician, his life was a relentless crusade against the social evils of the caste system. As the chief architect of the Indian Constitution and the nation’s first Law Minister, he laid the legal and moral foundations for a democratic India rooted in equality and social justice.
I.Early Life: A Struggle Against Segregation
Born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, Ambedkar was the fourteenth child of Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai. His family belonged to the Mahar caste, which was treated as “untouchable” in the rigid social hierarchy of the time.
- Systemic Discrimination: As a child, he faced severe humiliation; he was forced to sit on a gunny bag in school to avoid “polluting” the floor and was denied access to common water sources.
- A Lifelong Resolve: These early traumatic experiences did not break his spirit; instead, they fueled a determination to dismantle the very system that sanctioned such indignity.
II. Academic Excellence:
Ambedkar was one of the most academically decorated Indians of his generation. He broke several barriers in the field of higher education:
- Elphinstone College: Became one of the first Dalits to graduate (B.A. in Economics and Political Science, 1912).
- Columbia University: Sponsored by the Maharaja of Baroda, he earned his M.A. and Ph.D. His doctoral work, “The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India,” is still regarded as a seminal text.
- London School of Economics (LSE): Earned a D.Sc. in Economics and became a Barrister-at-Law at Gray’s Inn.
III. Advocacy for Dalit Rights and Social Reform
Babasaheb believed that political independence was meaningless without social emancipation. He utilized various methods—satyagraha, organizations, and journalism—to mobilize the marginalized.
Major Satyagrahas and Movements
- Mahad Satyagraha (1927): Led thousands to the Chavdar Lake to assert the right of Dalits to use public water resources.
- Kalaram Temple Entry Movement (1930): A massive protest to secure the right for Dalits to enter Hindu temples.
- Manusmriti Dahan: During the Mahad Satyagraha, he publicly burned the Manusmriti to symbolize a total rejection of caste-based laws.
Institutional Contributions
- Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha (1924): Founded with the motto: “Educate, Agitate, and Organise.”
- Independent Labour Party (1936): Formed to represent the working class and marginalized.
- Scheduled Castes Federation (1942): A political organization focusing on civil rights.
Journalistic Voice
He launched several newspapers to amplify the “Leader of the Silent”:
- Mooknayak (1920)
- Bahishkrit Bharat (1927)
- Janata (1930)
IV. Constitutional and Political Career
Ambedkar’s political journey saw him evolve from a community leader to a national statesman.
The Round Table Conferences and Poona Pact
Ambedkar participated in all three Round Table Conferences (1930–32), where he strongly demanded separate electorates for the “Depressed Classes.” While the Communal Award of 1932 granted this, Mahatma Gandhi went on a fast-unto-death in opposition. This resulted in the Poona Pact (1932), where separate electorates were replaced by Reserved Seats within general constituencies.
Labor Minister (1942–1946)
Serving in the Viceroy’s Executive Council, he introduced reforms that remain cornerstones of Indian labor laws:
- Reduced working hours from 12 to 8.
- Conceptualized Employees’ State Insurance (ESI) and Provident Fund (EPF).
- Paved the way for the Factories Act.
Father of the Indian Constitution
As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ambedkar synthesized diverse views into a single legal framework. He ensured:
- Abolition of Untouchability (Article 17).
- Guaranteed Fundamental Rights for all citizens.
- Protective Discrimination (Reservations) to uplift historically oppressed communities.
First Law Minister and the Hindu Code Bill
Post-independence, he sought to reform personal laws to empower women through the Hindu Code Bill. When the Parliament failed to pass the bill, Ambedkar showed his uncompromising integrity by resigning from Nehru’s cabinet in 1951.
V. Conversion to Buddhism and Later Years
Believing that social equality was impossible within the caste-ridden structure of Hinduism, Ambedkar turned toward Buddhism, which he viewed as a rational, egalitarian philosophy.
- Yeola Declaration (1935): He famously declared, “I was born a Hindu, but I will not die a Hindu.”
- Mass Conversion (1956): On October 14, 1956, at Nagpur (Deekshabhoomi), he along with 500,000 followers converted to Buddhism.
- Literary Legacy: He completed his final work, The Buddha and His Dhamma, shortly before his passing on December 6, 1956.
FAQs on Dr. BR Ambedkar
Why is Dr. Ambedkar known as the Father of the Indian Constitution?
He served as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and was the primary legal architect of the Indian Constitution.
What was the motto of the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha?
The motto was “Educate, Agitate, and Organise.”
When did the Mahad Satyagraha take place?
It took place on March 20, 1927, to assert the right of Dalits to use public water from the Chavdar Lake.
Which major political party did Ambedkar establish in 1936?
He founded the Independent Labour Party (ILP) to represent the working class and Dalits.
What was the Poona Pact of 1932?
It was an agreement between Ambedkar and Gandhi that replaced separate electorates for Dalits with reserved seats in general constituencies.
Which university awarded Ambedkar his first Doctorate?
Columbia University awarded him a Ph.D. in 1917 for his work on provincial finance in India.
What newspaper did Ambedkar launch in 1920?
He launched the weekly Mooknayak, which translates to “The Leader of the Silent.”
Why did Dr. Ambedkar resigned from Nehru’s cabinet in 1951?
He resigned due to the government’s inability to pass the Hindu Code Bill, which aimed at women’s rights reform.
When did Ambedkar convert to Buddhism?
He converted to Buddhism on October 14, 1956, at a mass ceremony in Nagpur.
In which year was Dr. Ambedkar awarded the Bharat Ratna?
Babasaheb was posthumously honored with the Bharat Ratna in 1990.
