Biography of Dr. Ambedkar – The Champion of Dalit Rights in India

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was a prominent Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and politician. He was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, present-day Madhya Pradesh, India, into a Dalit family, also known as the “untouchables” in the Hindu caste system.

“I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved.” Dr. Ambedkar

Ambedkar faced severe discrimination and humiliation during his childhood and early adulthood because of his Dalit background. However, he was an exceptionally bright student and managed to secure a scholarship to study at the prestigious Elphinstone College in Bombay (now Mumbai). He went on to earn multiple degrees, including a law degree from Gray’s Inn in London.

Throughout his life, Ambedkar fought against the social and economic discrimination faced by Dalits and other marginalized communities in India. He was a champion of their rights and worked tirelessly to end the caste system, which he believed was the root cause of India’s social and economic problems. He founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936 to represent the Dalit community’s interests and worked as the country’s first law minister after India gained independence in 1947.

Ambedkar’s legacy also includes his role in drafting the Indian Constitution. He was the chairman of the drafting committee and played a significant role in framing the constitution’s provisions for social justice, including the abolition of untouchability and the reservation of seats for Dalits and other marginalized communities in the government and educational institutions.

Ambedkar was also a prolific writer and scholar. His works include “The Annihilation of Caste,” “Buddha and His Dhamma,” “The Buddha or Karl Marx,” and “Pakistan or the Partition of India.” He was a strong advocate for the spread of education and knowledge, and he believed that education was the key to empowering the oppressed and marginalized communities.

Sadly, Ambedkar passed away on December 6, 1956, at the age of 65. His contributions to India’s social and political landscape continue to be celebrated, and he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in India’s modern history. His legacy has inspired many social and political movements in India, and his teachings continue to be studied and revered by scholars and activists around the world.