• India observed the 70th death anniversary (Mahaparinirvan Diwas) of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, commemorating his lasting contributions to constitutional governance, social justice, and economic thought.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar:

• B.R. Ambedkar (1891–1956) was a jurist, economist, social reformer, and chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He led pioneering movements against caste discrimination and laid the foundations of India’s modern democratic and economic institutions.

Early Life & Education:

• Born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow (MP) into a socially oppressed Mahar family; faced severe caste discrimination since childhood.
• Completed B.A. from Bombay University; supported by a Baroda State scholarship for higher studies abroad.
• Earned PhD from Columbia University, D.Sc. from London School of Economics, Bar-at-Law in London—becoming one of India’s most accomplished scholars of his time.

His early works- Castes in India, Evolution of Provincial Finance, Problem of the Rupee - established him as a global intellectual.

Contributions to India’s Freedom Movement & Social Reform

• Led Mass Movements Against Untouchability: Ambedkar transformed the social reform landscape by leading historic civil rights agitations, most notably the Mahad Satyagraha (1927) where Dalits asserted their right to drink water from a public tank. This marked the first organised anti-caste mass mobilisation challenging notions of purity-pollution.
• Fought for Temple Entry and Religious Equality: He spearheaded the Kalaram Temple Satyagraha (1930) in Nashik to demand Dalit entry into Hindu temples. This campaign directly confronted religious exclusion and became a symbol of the struggle for dignity and the right to worship.
• Represented Depressed Classes at Round Table Conferences: At the Round Table Conferences (1930–32) in London, Ambedkar was the foremost voice for Dalits. He articulated their political grievances, demanded separate electorates for adequate representation, and successfully internationalised the issue of caste discrimination.
• Negotiated the Poona Pact (1932): Ambedkar’s negotiations with Mahatma Gandhi led to the Poona Pact, replacing separate electorates with reserved seats for Dalits in legislatures. This became the basis of modern affirmative action in India and ensured political empowerment within a joint electorate.
• Championed Labour Rights and Social Justice During Colonial Rule: As Labour Member in the Viceroy’s Executive Council (1942–46), Ambedkar introduced 8-hour workdays, paid leave, maternity benefits, dispute resolution systems, and welfare funds—advancing both workers’ rights and social justice during the freedom struggle.
• Contribution to Drafting the Constitution: B.R. Ambedkar ensured the Constitution embodied justice, liberty, equality and fraternity by designing a strong framework of fundamental rights, federalism and an independent judiciary. He introduced safeguards such as abolition of untouchability, reservations, minority protections and social welfare principles.

Contributions to India’s Economic Thought

• Father of Monetary Economics in India: His book The Problem of the Rupee (1923) shaped modern monetary policy and directly influenced the creation of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) in 1934.
• Fiscal Federalism Pioneer: His 1921 thesis on provincial finance laid the intellectual foundation for India’s Finance Commission and fiscal decentralisation.
• Labour Reforms (as Labour Member, 1942–46): Introduced 8-hour workday, maternity benefits, labour welfare funds, and set up Employment Exchanges across India.
• Water & Power Resource Planning: Spearheaded key institutions such as the Central Water Commission, Damodar Valley Project, and promoted multi-purpose river projects for national development.
• Anti-inflation and welfare economics: Emphasised monetary stability and warned that inflation disproportionately harms the poor-echoing principles in today’s inflation-targeting framework.

Organisations Associated with Ambedkar

1. Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (1923): Upliftment of oppressed communities.
2. Independent Labour Party (1936): Advocated labour rights and social justice.
3. Scheduled Castes Federation (1942): Political mobilisation of marginalized groups.
4. Republican Party of India (announced 1956): Vision for an egalitarian polity (formed after his death).

Literary Contributions

Ambedkar’s works span economics, sociology, politics, religion, and law. Key texts include:

1. Annihilation of Caste
2. The Problem of the Rupee
3. Who Were the Shudras?
4. Buddha and His Dhamma
5. Essays on Untouchables and Untouchability
6. Buddha or Karl Marx
7. Critical journals: Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, Janata, Samata

These writings shaped India’s intellectual, social, and constitutional landscape.

Ambedkar’s Last Days

• Declining Health (1954–56): From 1954 onward, Ambedkar suffered from diabetes, weakened eyesight, and deteriorating physical health. Despite this, he continued his academic writing, parliamentary work, and Buddhist studies.
• Completion of The Buddha and His Dhamma: In the final months of his life, he worked intensely to complete his last and most profound book, “The Buddha and His Dhamma”, laying the philosophical foundation of Navayana Buddhism. The book was published posthumously in 1957.
• Historic Conversion to Buddhism (14 October 1956): Ambedkar and over 5 lakh followers embraced Buddhism in Nagpur, marking a revolutionary social and spiritual movement. He saw conversion as the final step in rejecting caste oppression and reclaiming dignity.
• Final Writings and Reflections: In his last speeches and writings, Ambedkar expressed concern about rising casteism, economic inequality, and the gap between constitutional ideals and social reality. He warned that “political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.”
• Mahaparinirvan (6 December 1956): Ambedkar passed away peacefully in his sleep at his residence, 26 Alipur Road, Delhi, at the age of 65. His death anniversary is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
• Cremation and Memorial at Chaitya Bhoomi: His funeral drew lakhs of followers, and his ashes were enshrined at Chaitya Bhoomi, Mumbai, which has since become an iconic pilgrimage site for Ambedkarites.
• Bharat Ratna (1990): Ambedkar was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, for his monumental contributions to nation-building, constitutional design, social justice, and economic thought.

Conclusion

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy extends far beyond drafting the Constitution—he laid the moral, economic, and institutional foundation of modern India. His life remains a testament to the transformative power of knowledge, courage, and constitutionalism. Seven decades after his passing, Ambedkar’s ideas continue to light the path towards a more just, equitable, and dignified society.