The Man Behind India's Social Reformation

Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as the Architect of Indian Constitution, was an Indian economist, politician and a social reformer. He fought against social discrimination and supported the rights of women and labour. He was India’s first law minister. Ambedkar's original name was Ambavadekar. But his teacher, Mahadev Ambedkar, who was fond of him, changed his surname from 'Ambavadekar' to his own surname 'Ambedkar' in school records.

(14^th April 1891 – 6^th December 1956)

Ambedkar was born as to Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai who belonged to Mahar (an oppressed class) family on 14 April 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh. Now his birthplace is known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar in Indore district in Madhya Pradesh. He was last among the 14th children in the family. As a child, he had to face a lot of problems. He was not allowed to sit in the classroom because of his caste.

In 1897, he along with his family moved to Bombay and he got admitted in the Elphinstone High school, thus becoming the first ever untouchable to attain higher education. In 1908 he admitted himself to Elphinstone College, again creating history by becoming the first untouchable to enter university. He graduated from the same in 1912 with a degree in economics and political science. He also got a job in the Baroda State Government but did not continue for long as he was awarded Baroda State Scholarship, which provided him the opportunity to join Columbia University, where he earned his doctorate in economics. He had also got the doctorate for economics from the London School of Economics.

Upon returning to India, he worked as the Defence Secretary for the Princely State of Baroda. But later he quit the job as he was often ridiculed and teased for being an untouchable. Being a victim of untouchability, he madeefforts to uplift the underprivileged classes of the society. He started a weekly journal “Mooknayak” which criticised the orthodox beliefs in the society and the reluctance of the government to fight against discrimination. His passion for eradicating the practice of caste discrimination led him to found the ‘Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha’. The main aim of the organization was to provide education and socio-economic improvement to the backward class. he actively worked against untouchability. Instead of taking the route of violence, he walked on the footsteps of Gandhi and led a satyagraha movement, fighting for the rights of untouchables. He converted himself to Buddhism after attending a convention in Sri Lanka of Buddhist scholars. Inspired by their preaching, he penned a book on Buddhism. No sooner he converted to the religion. He founded the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha (Buddhist Society of India) in 1955 and completed his final work ‘The Buddha and His Dhamma’ in 1956. The book was however published posthumously.

As soon as India gained independence, he administered the transformation of his political party into the All India Scheduled Castes Federation. However, the party did not perform well at the 1946 elections held for the Constituent Assembly of India. He served as the minister for labour of the Viceroy's Executive Council and on the board of the Defence Advisory Committee. It was his dedication that led him to earn the chair of Free India’s first law Minister and as the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution of India. The constitution drafted by him aimed to bring about a social revolution in the country freeing it from any sort of discrimination. It provided the citizens with freedom of religion, abolished untouchability, advocated rights for women and bridged the gap amongst the classes of the society. It even provided reservations of jobs and education for members of the backward class. Other than his role as the framer of the Constitution, he helped establish the Finance Commission of India. It was through his policies that the nation progressed both economically and socially. He emphasised on free economy with stable rupee. In 1951, following the indefinite stalling of the Hindu Code Bill proposed by him, he resigned from the Cabinet. He contested for a seat at the Lok Sabha but was defeated. He was later appointed to the Rajya Sabha of which he was a member until his death.

Since he had converted himself to a Buddhist, a Buddhist-style cremation was organized for him. The ceremony was attended by hundreds of thousands of supporters, activists and admirers. To commemorate his contribution to the society, a memorial was constructed and established. His birthday is celebrated as a public holiday, known as Ambedkar Jayanti. In 1990, he was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian honour.

Other Facts You Must Know About Dr B.R. Ambedkar

1. Ambedkar played a key role in establishment of Reserve Bank of India in 1935.
2. He had suggested the division of both Madhya Pradesh and Bihar for better governance way back in 1955.
3. Ambedkar contested Lok Sabha election twice but both the times he lost the election.
4. His autobiography ‘Waiting for a Visa’ is used as a text book in the Columbia University.
5. He was opposed to the whole idea of reservation of jobs and constituencies and didn’t want the reservation system to exist at all.
6. He was the first Indian to complete a doctorate degree overseas.
7. Ambedkar was the one who insisted on having the working hours reduced from fourteen to eight hours in a day.
8. He strongly opposed Article 370 of the Indian constitution which gives special status to the state of Jammu & Kashmir.
9. He played a key role in forming the National Employment Exchange Agency in India.
10. This revolutionary, who fought against the untouchability practiced in India, is popularly known as the chief architect of the Constitution of India.