Cultivation of mind should be the ultimate aim of human existence. — Dr. B.R. Ambedkar
Every year on 14th April, India celebrates Ambedkar Jayanti—the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, a social reformer, and a voice for the voiceless.
Born in 1891 in Mhow (present-day Madhya Pradesh), Dr. Ambedkar overcame systemic discrimination and social exclusion to emerge as one of the most influential leaders in India’s struggle for equality and justice. Despite being born into a Dalit (then considered “untouchable”) family, he pursued education in India and abroad, earning doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
His journey from social ostracism to becoming the first Law Minister of Independent India is both inspirational and instructive.
Ambedkar and the Indian Constitution:
As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly, Dr. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in shaping the Indian Constitution. He ensured the inclusion of:
- Fundamental Rights: Protecting civil liberties for all, especially minorities and the marginalized.
- Directive Principles of State Policy: Guiding the state to ensure socio-economic justice.
- Abolition of Untouchability (Article 17): A revolutionary step towards social equality.
His vision laid the foundation for constitutional morality, emphasizing equality, liberty, and fraternity—the triad that continues to guide India’s democratic ethos.
Champion of Social Justice:
Dr. Ambedkar was more than a constitutionalist; he was a social revolutionary. Through movements like:
- Mahad Satyagraha (1927): Asserting the right of Dalits to access public water tanks.
- Kalaram Temple Entry Movement (1930): Challenging caste-based exclusion from places of worship.
- Poona Pact (1932): Negotiating political representation for the Depressed Classes.
He brought the Dalit question into the national consciousness and demanded not just legal equality but dignity for all.
Dr. Ambedkar’s famous words still echo today:
“I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.
Ambedkar’s Legacy in Contemporary India:
In recent years, Ambedkar’s thoughts on federalism, economic planning, labour rights, and women’s empowerment have gained renewed relevance. For UPSC aspirants, his influence is significant in areas like:
- Governance and Social Justice
- Welfare Schemes for SC/ST communities
- Debates on Caste Census and Reservation
- Reforms in Personal Laws and Uniform Civil Code
His call for constitutional methods to achieve social change—“educate, agitate, organize”—is echoed in India’s ongoing democratic processes.
Ambedkar and Buddhism:
In 1956, a few months before his death, Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism along with over five lakh followers in Nagpur, marking a spiritual and philosophical turn in his fight against caste oppression. He believed Buddhism offered a path based on reason, morality, and compassion, unlike the hierarchical structure of caste-based Hinduism.
Ambedkar Jayanti is not just a ritual commemoration; it is a reminder of India’s unfinished mission—building a truly inclusive and egalitarian society.
As India navigates the complexities of modernity, identity, and justice, Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals remain a guiding light. His belief in rational thought, social democracy, and the transformative power of education is central to the ethos of public service—something every future civil servant must carry forward.
HAPPY AMBEDKAR JAYANTI.
JAI BHIM.
