Simone Lawson
Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar, one of India's greatest statesmen and the undisputed leader of the country's Dalits, was appointed to write the Indian Constitution. He was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India by Jawaharlal Nehru, the country's first prime minister. However, it is important to note that the Constitution was not written by a single person but by a committee. Ambedkar's reputation as a scholar and socio-political reformer led to his appointment as India's first Law Minister.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Appointed By | Jawaharlal Nehru, India's first prime minister |
| Appointed As | Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India |
| Date of Appointment | 15 August 1947 |
| Other Key Roles | Member of the Constituent Assembly, Chairman of the Assembly's Drafting Committee, Union Constitution Committee member, Law Minister |
| Notable Contributions | Ambedkar's inclusion of "fraternity" in the original preamble, emphasis on constitutional morality, advocacy for social democracy, defence of Directive Principles of State Policy, clarification on federalism and division of powers |
| Recognition | Often referred to as the "Father of the Indian Constitution" |
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Mahatma Gandhi recommended Ambedkar for the role
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born in 1891 to a Dalit family, experienced discrimination, segregation, and untouchability from an early age. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, obtaining degrees in economics and political science and becoming a renowned scholar and social reformer.
Ambedkar's legacy as a socio-political reformer had a profound impact on modern India. He actively advocated for the protection and advancement of Dalit rights, often clashing with the Indian National Congress. Ambedkar's initiatives have left an indelible mark on various aspects of Indian society, including socio-economic policies, education, and affirmative action.
Ambedkar played a pivotal role in India's constitution-making process. He was appointed to the Bombay Presidency Committee in 1925 and wrote a separate set of recommendations for the future Constitution of India, demonstrating his early involvement in shaping the country's governing document.
Upon India's independence in 1947, Mahatma Gandhi recommended Ambedkar to Jawaharlal Nehru for inclusion in his cabinet. Subsequently, Prime Minister Nehru invited Ambedkar to serve as the Dominion of India's first Law Minister, a role he assumed on 15 August 1947. Two weeks later, he was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India, further cementing his role in shaping the country's future.
Ambedkar's interventions and speeches during the constitution-making process were well-reasoned and meticulously researched, earning him the respect of his fellow Assembly members. He passionately defended the inclusion of administrative provisions and Directive Principles of State Policy in the Draft Constitution, arguing for their binding nature despite not having legal force. Ambedkar's unwavering commitment to individual freedom and criticism of the caste system made him a controversial figure among Hindus, but his impact on India's constitution is undeniable.
Understanding India's Court of Record Constitutional Provision
You may want to see also
Jawaharlal Nehru appointed him Chairman of the Drafting Committee
B.R. Ambedkar is often referred to as the "father of the Indian Constitution" and is the most well-known of all Constituent Assembly members. However, it is erroneous to believe that he alone conceived and authored the Indian Constitution. It was formulated across several committees and then debated and decided inside the Constituent Assembly.
Ambedkar was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India by Jawaharlal Nehru, the first prime minister of independent India. This appointment was made two weeks after Nehru invited him to serve as the Dominion of India's Law Minister upon India's independence on 15 August 1947. The Drafting Committee was established on 29 August 1947, and it was one of eight committees set up by the Constituent Assembly.
Ambedkar's appointment was influenced by Mahatma Gandhi, who recognised his outstanding knowledge of legal and constitutional matters and suggested to Nehru that he be included in the council of ministers. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ambedkar played a crucial role in the constitution-making process, passionately defending the inclusion of various provisions and principles. He was also a member of other important committees, such as the Union Constitution Committee chaired by Nehru.
Ambedkar's reputation as a scholar and his initiatives as a socio-political reformer had a profound impact on modern India. He was a key member of the Constituent Assembly, and his interventions and speeches in the Assembly were significant. Despite his controversial stance on Hinduism and his criticism of the Congress party, he accommodated all interests and chose to consider the broader interests of the nation during the constitution-making process.
The Indian Constitution's Ideological Foundations Explained
You may want to see also
Ambedkar was a popular leader of the Dalits
Born into a Dalit family, Ambedkar experienced caste discrimination first-hand and dedicated his life to fighting for the rights and equality of Dalits and other marginalized communities in India. He was a brilliant student and became one of the first Dalits to obtain a college education, earning multiple degrees from prestigious universities in the United States and the United Kingdom.
Ambedkar's leadership and influence among the Dalits began with his work as a lawyer and social reformer. He founded several organizations dedicated to improving the education, social status, and political representation of Dalits, such as the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha and the Depressed Classes Association. He also started publications like 'Mook Nayak' and 'Bahishkrit Bharat' to spread awareness and empower the community. Ambedkar fought for Dalit rights within the larger context of the Indian independence movement, believing that independence from British rule would be meaningless without the eradication of the caste system and the empowerment of marginalized communities.
One of the most significant contributions of Ambedkar to the Dalit movement was his role in the drafting of the Indian Constitution. As the chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee, he ensured that the constitution guaranteed equality, freedom, and justice for all citizens, regardless of caste, creed, or religion. He included provisions for affirmative action, such as reservations in education and government jobs for Dalits and other backward classes, to address historical injustices and inequalities. These measures have had a profound impact on the social and economic mobility of Dalits in India.
Ambedkar's legacy as a leader of the Dalits extends beyond his role in constitution-making. He also worked to promote the social and religious emancipation of Dalits, encouraging them to convert to Buddhism as a way to escape the hierarchical and oppressive caste system. In 1956, he led a mass conversion of nearly half a million Dalits to Buddhism, an event that sent ripples across the country and inspired many more to follow suit.
In conclusion, Ambedkar's life and work embody the struggle for Dalit rights and empowerment in India. His intellectual prowess, political acumen, and unwavering commitment to social justice made him a revered leader among the Dalits and a pivotal figure in India's journey towards independence and democracy. His ideas and contributions continue to shape India's social fabric and political landscape, serving as a constant reminder of the ongoing quest for equality and justice for all.
The Founding Intent of India's Constitution
You may want to see also
Explore related products
He was a renowned scholar of legal and constitutional matters
B.R. Ambedkar, often referred to as the "father of the Indian Constitution", was a renowned scholar of legal and constitutional matters. He was appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India, following his appointment as free India's first Law Minister.
Ambedkar's educational background and career trajectory undoubtedly contributed to his expertise in legal and constitutional matters. He studied at the London School of Economics, obtaining a master's degree and completing a doctoral thesis on "The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution". He also earned a D.Sc. in Economics from the University of London in 1923. Ambedkar's academic pursuits extended beyond economics, as he wrote three books on the subject, as well as "The Annihilation of Caste", which is considered an authoritative work on Dalit life and politics.
In addition to his scholarly pursuits, Ambedkar held several significant positions that further solidified his knowledge and experience in legal and constitutional matters. He was a nominated member of the Bombay Legislative Council from 1926 to 1934, during which he actively advocated against untouchability and caste discrimination. He founded the Independent Labour Party of India in 1936 and subsequently won 15 out of 17 seats in the Bombay Assembly elections the following year. In 1942, he established the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation, a political front for the Dalits.
Ambedkar's reputation as a scholar and his initiatives in the socio-economic and legal spheres influenced modern India's socio-political landscape. His passion for individual freedom and criticism of the caste system led to his controversial stance among Hindus. Despite this, he was appointed to the Bombay Presidency Committee in 1925, working with the all-European Simon Commission, and even wrote a separate set of recommendations for the future Constitution of India.
Ambedkar's role in the constitution-making process was significant. He was responsible for shepherding the final draft of the Constitution through the Assembly, during which he delivered some of his most renowned speeches. He advocated for extensive economic and social rights for women and successfully argued for the inclusion of administrative provisions, such as freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination.
While there is a common belief that Ambedkar single-handedly framed the Indian Constitution, it is important to recognise that it was a collective effort involving various committees and the Constituent Assembly. However, Ambedkar's contributions were substantial, and his reputation as a scholar of legal and constitutional matters played a pivotal role in shaping India's constitutional framework.
The Making of India's Constitution: A Historical Journey
You may want to see also
He was also India's first Law Minister
B.R. Ambedkar is often referred to as the "father of the Indian Constitution". He was a key figure in India's constitution-making process due to the offices he held and his interventions and speeches in the Assembly. Ambedkar was appointed to the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India two weeks after being invited to serve as India's first Law and Justice Minister by Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru following India's independence on 15 August 1947.
Ambedkar's legacy as a socio-political reformer had a deep effect on modern India. His initiatives have influenced various spheres of life and transformed the way India looks at socio-economic policies, education, and affirmative action through socio-economic and legal incentives. He is respected across the political spectrum for his socio-political thought.
Ambedkar's reputation as a scholar and his previous roles, including as a member of the Bombay Legislative Council from 1926 to 1934, led to his appointment as India's first Law Minister. In 1925, he was appointed to the Bombay Presidency Committee to work with the all-European Simon Commission, which had sparked protests across India. Despite the report being ignored by most Indians, Ambedkar wrote a separate set of recommendations for the future Constitution of India. He also founded the Independent Labour Party of India in 1936 and the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation in 1942 as a political front for the Dalits.
Ambedkar introduced the Draft Constitution on 4 November 1948 and defended the inclusion of administrative provisions, invoking 'constitutional morality'. He also argued for extensive economic and social rights for women, winning the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations. On 25 November 1949, the day before the Constitution was adopted, Ambedkar emphasised in his concluding speech that India must strive to be a social democracy and not merely a political democracy. He also clarified the fundamental principle of federalism regarding the division of Legislative and Executive powers between the Union and the States in the Constitution.
The Many Languages of India's Constitution
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
It was Jawaharlal Nehru, the Prime Minister of the new Congress-led government, who appointed B.R. Ambedkar to write the Constitution of India. This was on the suggestion of Mahatma Gandhi, who recognised Ambedkar's scholarship in legal and constitutional matters.
B.R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India. He was also a member of other important committees.
No, like any other constitution, India's constitution was not created by a single person. It was formulated in a number of committees and then debated and decided inside the Constituent Assembly.
![The Constitution Of India 1949 [Leather Bound]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nNKsF6dYL._AC_UY218_.jpg)
