Every year, we celebrate Republic Day on 26th January to mark the moment of pride when the Constitution of India came into force. This 75th Republic, let me remind you of the contribution of the men in shaping our nation. In literal words, if a common man were to study the autobiography of this man, he would surely cry after learning about his struggles. The kind of humiliation this man has suffered is such an unfortunate chapter in our nation’s history. The worst part is that the youth of our nation, especially the andhbhakts, not only abuse him but also refuse to accept his contributions to making our country uniform. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, and passed away on December 6, 1956, was an Indian legal expert, economist, social reformer, and political figure. He led the committee responsible for formulating the Constitution of India during the debates of the Constituent Assembly. Additionally, he served as the Minister of Law and Justice in Jawaharlal Nehru’s initial cabinet. Ambedkar played a pivotal role in inspiring the Dalit Buddhist movement after embracing Buddhism and renouncing Hinduism.
Born as the 14th and final child to Ramji Maloji Sakpal, an army officer with the rank of Subedar, and Bhimabai Sakpal, the daughter of Laxman Murbadkar, Ambedkar belonged to a Marathi family from Ambadawe in the Ratnagiri district of modern-day Maharashtra. His family, part of the Mahar (Dalit) caste, faced social and economic discrimination as untouchables. Ambedkar’s forebears had a history of serving in the British East India Company’s army, with his father being stationed at the Mhow cantonment in the British Indian Army.
Despite attending school, Ambedkar and other untouchable children experienced segregation and neglect from teachers. They were not permitted to sit inside the classroom, and even when needing water, someone from a higher caste had to pour it for them from a height. This discriminatory treatment extended to not being allowed to touch either the water or its container. Ambedkar often relied on the school peon to perform this task, and he would go without water in the absence of the peon. Describing the situation later in his writings, he referred to it as “No peon, No Water.” Additionally, he was required to sit on a gunny sack, which he had to carry home with him.
Before recalling his contributions, let me ask you a question. How would you feel if someone threw you out of the room while you were entering, telling you that “you are Untouchable”? You would probably cry. This man did not agree to bow down and give up before the world, which continuously disrespected him in the name of caste and class. Let me now remind you of some of his key contributions to making our India:
Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, recognized as the “Father of the Indian Constitution,” chaired the Drafting Committee of the Constitutional Parliament. Commonly referred to as Baba Saheb, he held the distinction of being the first Minister of Law and Justice in India. Dr. Ambedkar, a legal scholar, politician, and social reformer, dedicated his life to advocating for the Dalits and uplifting the socially backward classes in India.
As an education-driven role model for activists, Dr Ambedkar possessed numerous academic qualifications, including MA, PhD, M.Sc., D.Sc, barrister-at-law, L.L.D, D.Litt., and many more. Accumulating a total of 36 degrees and diplomas, he amassed a personal library containing over 50,000 books. He was the pioneer in India to pursue a doctoral degree in economics abroad, earning him the titles “Symbol of Knowledge” and “The Sign of Information.”
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar dedicated himself to advocating for human rights throughout his life. While his primary focus was on the Dalit community, his work extended beyond benefiting numerous people. Dr. Ambedkar viewed education as a crucial instrument for enhancing the overall welfare of marginalized and underprivileged communities. He held the belief that education served as a moral weapon in various social movements, asserting that increased education levels provided greater opportunities for advancement. Recognizing the significance of education in his efforts to liberate Dalits from religious oppression in India, Ambedkar aspired to have the upliftment of marginalized groups undertaken by the educated citizens of the nation.
In conclusion, I want to clarify that I am not an Ambedkarite, but his contributions made me bow down before him. If I had the authority to thank any one person for my life after my parents, it would be him. Jai Hind!