Legends are priceless. You do not have them being born and changing the course of history in every generation. They are rare and their impact and influence remains for centuries to come. India has been blessed to have several stalwarts come together in a span of a few years. The Independence Movement itself resulted in the recognition of some of the greatest personalities and people of the country. The list is long and illustrious and one name that shines bright is that of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar. 14th April, his birthday is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti and has been officially declared as a public holiday.
Education and Academics
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14th April 1891 in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh. He belonged to the Dalit (Mahar) caste and was the 14th born to his parents. The Mahars were at that time deemed to be untouchables, ranked low in the caste system of the country. As a child, Ambedkar witnessed the discrimination on a daily basis. He could not touch drinking water or its vessel due to his status in society. He had to sit on a gunny bag in class which he would take home with him every day and back. However, none of this stopped him from forging and charting his own path.
Out of all his siblings, Ambedkar alone went on to high school. In 1897, his family moved to Mumbai. Ambedkar was the only untouchable student in his class at Elphinstone High School. He was married at 15 in a marriage arranged by his parents.
He continued to move ahead, passing his examinations and getting admission into Elphinstone College. It is believed that he was first from his entire caste that made it to college. His achievement was celebrated by the community and on this occasion he was given ‘Buddha’ , a biography written by Dada Keluskar.
In 1912 he graduated with a degree in political science and economics and was ready to take up a job. He was awarded the Baroda State Scholarship in 1913 that provided him with the opportunity to do his post graduation at Columbia University in New York. In 1916, he went to the London School of Economic and he excelled academically, completing his PhD in economics in 1927. Also, in 1916, he enrolled at Gray’s Inn for the Bar Course.
During his academic years, he published several papers, thesis and articles. Some of these included, ‘Castes in India- Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development’, ‘The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India,’ and ‘The Problem of the Rupee.’
The Fight against Discrimination
Since Ambedkar studied on the scholarship provided by the Princely State of Baroda, he had to render his services to the state. He was appointed as the Defence or Military Secretary but he continued to face humiliation and discrimination due to his caste status. In 1918, he became a professor in a college in Mumbai, but here too his colleagues objected to sharing the water jug with him.
The continued discrimination led Ambedkar to propose and advocate reservations and a separate electorate for untouchables, other castes and religions. In 1920, he started Mooknayak, a weekly publication that tried to make people see and understand the ills of social discrimination and its evils.
His efforts did not go in vain. One example was when Shahu IV, ruler of Kohlapur, upon hearing his speech decided to dine with the leader. This became a major social and political incident that defied and challenged the orders of the caste system in India.
Ambedkar also established the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha or Outcastes Welfare Association in 1923. The association aimed to better the lives of the downtrodden castes and classes. Later in 1927, he marched the Mahad March which is considered as one of the landmark and early walks of protests that started the anti-caste movement. In 1930, the Temple Entry Movement sought to allow all castes to enter temples. This movement undertaken at the Kalaram Temple in Nasik is another watershed historical event that championed the cause of equal human rights and justice.
Ambedkar also openly condemned Manusmriti, a classical Hindu text that justified the caste system and untouchability. In 1927, on 25th December he led hundreds to burn copies of the text. Since that day, 25th December is celebrated as Manusmriti Dahan Din by Dalits and supporters of Ambedkar.
Officially, the Poona Pact signed in 1932 is another significant moment and documentation that sealed the thought process of reservations in India. Mahatma Gandhi opposed the idea of a separate electorate for particular castes and untouchables. B.R Ambedkar and Gandhi reached an agreement that decided to not have separate electorates, but to have reservations for the Depressed Classes. The Depressed Classes, as known during the British period, came to be known as the Scheduled Castes of India. The Poona Pact was signed by Ambedkar on the behalf of the Depressed Classes and by Gandhi, Madan Mohan Malaviya who represented the Hindus.
The Poona Pact paved the way for other reservation related policies that came about after Independence. It was an important agreement, since it stopped the division of the country on the lines of caste, but also acknowledged affirmative action for the repressed.
The Indian Constitution
In 1947, India gained Independence. PM Jawaharlal Nehru, made Dr. B.R Ambedkar the Law Minister and also appointed him as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee. The Drafting Committee drafted the Indian Constitution, which is the sacred and fundamental bible for all citizens of the country.
The draft was completed by 1949 and the Constitution was adopted in 1950 with a few amendments. Dr. Ambedkar ensured that the spirit of equality and social justice prevailed in the very fabric of the Constitution. He also advocated for the rights of socially downtrodden and women. Fondly known as the ‘architect of the Indian Constitution,’ he laid down appropriate checks and balances for the legislature, executive and judiciary branches. His expertise in economics, law, politics and social norms, became the founding ideas on which the Constitution rests today.
Legacy
Dr. Ambedkar was always interested in Buddhism and he finally converted to the religion in 1956. However, it was in the same year that he passed away due to a prolonged illness. Several texts, papers, handwritten documents were found after his death which were publically made available over the years. Some of these include, the Children of India’s Ghetto, Untouchables and Waiting for a Visa. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1990.
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The legacy of Dr. Ambedkar is, of course, etched in the policies of the country. His role in drafting the Constitution, economic and political discussions and fighting for the rights of the untouchables are some of his contributions on which the nation stands on its feet today. The affirmative actions of reservations are largely attributed to his efforts. His views as an intellect are respected across party lines. In the field of education and justice he remains a legend.
Dr. Ambedkar was voted as the ‘Greatest Indian’ in a poll by CNN IBN and History TV18 in 2012. Amartya Sen calls him ‘father of my economics.’ But the overarching achievements and contributions of Ambedkar are a result of his many smaller struggles. Facing discrimination first hand, did not deter him from charting his own course in life. Instead, it pushed and inspired him to fight for the cause, a consistent ally in all his views, speeches and papers. A highly educated intellect, he did not forget his roots and championed for its respect. The real lesson that Ambedkar taught thousands that came and will come after him, is that challenges and injustices should not waver from self learning and elevation. His greatest legacy is his exemplary life, and that in spite of all the struggles, he emerged as a leading figure in a nation that also boasted of notable stalwarts during his time. In the midst of the Mahatma, Nehru, Sardar Patel and freedom fighters, such as Bhagat Singh and Netaji, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s legacy shines equally bright.
On Ambedkar Jayanti, it is poignant to remember a leader, whose message remained – ‘Educate, agitate, organise!’
