Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar ( April 14, 1891- December 6, 1956 ) was a leading activist and social reformer who dedicated his life, working for the upliftment of the Dalits and the socially backward class of India. He continuously fought for the eradication of cast discrimination that had fragmented the Indian society. He received higher education becoming the first ever of his caste to do so. He became the first law minister of free India and chief architect of the constitution of India. In his later years he acted as a revivalist of Buddhism in India. He converted to Buddhism, freeing himself of the perils of cast differences and unfairness practiced by the Hindus.
Ambedkar was born into a Mahar ( Dalit ) caste in Mahon town ( now Dr. Ambedkar Nagar ) in Madhya Pradesh. He was the 14th and last child of Ramji Maloji Sakpab a subedar in British army. In school Ambedkar and other children of his caste were segregated and given little attention or help by the teachers. They were not allowed to sit inside the class and also not allowed to touch the water vessel. His family moved to Bombay and in 1897 he enrolled at Elphinstone High School and in 1906 married to Ramabai. In 1907 passed Matric and in 1912 obtained degree in Economics and Political Science from Bombay University. In 1913 he got Baroda State scholarship of 11.50 pounds per month and moved to United States for higher study. He got Master Degree in 1921 from London School of Economics and in 1923 completed D.Sc in Economic from the University of London. His wife Ramabai died in 1935 and he married Sharada Kabir on April 15, 1948, who died on May 29, 2003.
He worked as military secretary, private tutor, an accountant, and investment consultant but failed. In 1918, he became professor of Political Economy in Mumbai. In 1926, he successfully defended three non-Brahmin leaders who had accused the Brahmin community of ruining India. He started many periodicals like Mook Nayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, Equality Janta and also established Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha.
Ambedkar argued for creating separate electorate and reservations for his caste and other religious communities. He condemned the Classic Hindu Text, Manusmriti ( laws of Manu ) and burned the copies of the ancient text and Manusmriti. In 1930 about 15000 volunteers tried to enter the Kalaram Temple at Nashik, but gates of the Temple were closed by Bramhmin authorities. Poona pact was signed on September 25, 1932 and the agreement gave reserved seats for the depressed classes.
In 1935, he was appointed Principal of Government Law College, Bombay. In 1936, he founded the Independent Labour Party, which contested in 1937 Bombay Election to the Central Legislative Assembly for the 13 reserved and 4 general seats and secured 11 and 3 seats respectively. In 1937, he tabled a bill in the Bombay Legislative Assembly to abolish the Khoti system by creating a direct relationship between Government and farmers.
After independence, Dr. Ambedkar was invited to serve as Law Minister and on August 29 he was appointed Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee. In 1952, he was appointed in Rajya Sabha as he lost the election of Lok Sabha.
Dr. Ambedkar said in 1935 that he was born in Hindu but would not die a Hindu. He was critical of Hindu religious texts and epics, stating that they are oppressive. He planned to convert to Sikhism but he thought that the untouchables may not lose the privileges of reservations accorded to them. Dr. Ambedkar was impressed with Sikhism and Buddhism and campaigned against the social discrimination of the untouchable. He was a supporter of the rights of women and labor. He converted along with his wife and 500,000 supporters to Buddhism in 1956. He died in his sleep on December 6, 1956, at his home in Delhi. His message to his followers was “educate, agitate, organize”.
A memorial for Ambedkar was established in his Delhi house at 26 Alipur Road. His birthdate is celebrated as a public holiday known as Bhim Jayanti. He was awarded the Bharat Ratana in 1990. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Airport in Nagpur, Dr. B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology Jalandhar, Ambedkar University Delhi are also named in his honor.
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