Birth Anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is celebrated as Dr. Ambedkar Jayanti across India on April 14th. It is a public holiday on this day. Dr. Ambedkar was the architect of the Indian constitution and he is also known as ‘Father of Indian Constitution’ and this day commemorates his valuable contribution to the Indian society not only as a scholar, a jurist and a political leader but also as a great revolutionist who raised his voice against untouchability and caste discrimination.
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Life
Ambedkar was born in the year 1891 in Madhya Pradesh in a Dalit family. He was the fourteenth child and right from childhood he had to face a lot of discrimination because of his low caste. He was born at a time when caste system was very dominant in the feudal Indian society. He was a bright child and excelled in studies. In fact he became the first untouchable to get a college degree overcoming all obstacles. After matriculation he joined the Elphinstone College for further education. In 1912, he graduated in Political Science and Economics from Bombay University. The Maharaja of Baroda awarded him scholarship and with the help of this he went to America for further studies where he obtained a post graduate degree in economics. After working as professor for four year in US he went to England to study law. There he received the degrees in M.Sc., D.M.S. Law and Ph.D.
On his return to India he was offered a job as Sainik Secretary at Baroda but had to quit the job due to discrimination. By then Ambedkar had decided to fight against the untochability and caste system. After practising law for few years he started his fight against caste system. He published a journal where he openly criticized the prevalent caste system and also formed the "Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha". All through his life Dr. Ambedkar criticized the orthodox system and struggled for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society and he became a messiah for the backward classes.
Dr. Ambedkar joined the freedom struggle of India and founded the 'Independent labour party' of India. He was a great scholar, philosopher and a prolific writer. He wrote and published many books that were for the upliftment of the untouchables in India.
After Independence he was appointed as the first law minister of India. Later he was appointed as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee and thus was called the founding father of Indian constitution. Deeply hurt by the caste discrimination in the society he embraced Buddhism. He was very impressed by the principles and practices in Buddhism and wrote books on Buddhism and its principles and beliefs. Dr. Ambedkar died on 6th December 1956 and was honoured with Bharat Rant posthumously which is the highest civilian award of India.
How is Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti Celebrated?
April 14th is declared as public holiday in all the Indian states. On this day Babasaheb’s statue at the Parliament, New Delhi is paid customary homage by the President, Prime Minister and leaders of political parties. Dalits celebrate this day with great fervour and pay tribute to the legendary leader. Huge procession are taken out on this day and various cultural programmes are organised. Meetings, prayers and Dalit melas are held in several places.