Malcolm Rivera
The Indian Constitution, officially adopted on 26 November 1949, is the supreme law of the nation, laying down rules and frameworks regarding political structures and procedures of the government, civil, criminal and other codes, as well as the rights and duties of citizens. While it is commonly believed that Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Baba Saheb, was the sole architect of the Indian Constitution, this is a myth. As a jurist, economist, politician and social reformer, he was a key member of the Constituent Assembly and led the Drafting Committee, but the Constitution was formulated in several committees and debated and decided inside the Constituent Assembly.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar |
| Known as | The Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution |
| Profession | Jurist, economist, social reformer, political leader |
| Role in Indian Constitution | Chairman of the Drafting Committee |
| Civil liberties guaranteed | Freedom of religion, abolition of untouchability, outlawing of discrimination |
| Other notable achievements | Active movements against untouchability, public marches for access to public drinking water, struggle for the right to enter Hindu temples, support for extensive economic and social rights for women, introduction of a system of reservations of jobs for members of SC and ST |
| Flexibility | Kept clauses of the Constitution flexible to allow for amendments |
| Preamble | Ensuring justice, social, economic and political liberty, equality, and fraternity |
| Support for federalism | Strongly supported a federal system, stating that the draft constitution could be both unitary and federal depending on the requirements of time and circumstances |
| Conversion | Renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism, inspiring the Dalit Buddhist movement |
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What You'll Learn
- Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader, chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India
- The constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly
- The text prepared by Ambedkar provided constitutional guarantees and protections for civil liberties, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and outlawing discrimination
- Ambedkar argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced a system of job reservations for members of the SC and ST
- Ambedkar's constitution evolved away from judicial restraint and legal positivism, with the Supreme Court of India becoming the final arbiter of its meaning
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, a jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader, chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, India, came from humble beginnings. As a child, he faced caste discrimination and humiliation from his high-caste peers. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically and became the first "untouchable" to attain higher education. He studied economics at prestigious universities, including Columbia University and the London School of Economics, obtaining doctorates from both institutions. He also trained in law at Gray's Inn, London.
Ambedkar was a jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader. He played a pivotal role in shaping India's political and social landscape, particularly in the fight against caste discrimination and the marginalization of Dalits. He advocated for increased visibility and representation of Dalits in public life and government, successfully securing reserved seats for them within the Hindu electorate through the Poona Pact of 1932.
Ambedkar's social reform efforts extended beyond politics. He actively campaigned for social equality and justice, particularly for the eradication of the discriminatory practice of "untouchability." He led public movements and marches to open up access to public drinking water resources and fought for the right of Dalits to enter Hindu temples. He publicly condemned classic Hindu texts that justified caste discrimination and took a stand against Brahminical supremacy in the caste hierarchy.
In addition to his social reform efforts, Ambedkar made significant contributions to India's economic policies. He played a crucial role in land reform and state economic development, advocating for a free economy with a stable Rupee. He also proposed birth control as a means to develop the Indian economy, which was later adopted as a national policy for family planning. Ambedkar's theories on State Socialism included state ownership of agricultural land, maintenance of production resources by the state, and the just distribution of these resources to the population.
As a jurist and political leader, Ambedkar's most notable achievement was his role in drafting the Constitution of India. He chaired the committee responsible for drafting the constitution, ensuring that it provided constitutional guarantees and protections for civil liberties, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination. He successfully argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced a system of reservations of jobs for members of Scheduled Castes and Tribes. Recognizing the need for flexibility, he kept the clauses of the Constitution open to amendments to accommodate future demands and changes.
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The constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly
The Indian Constitution, which made India a sovereign, democratic republic, was adopted on 26 November 1949, and it came into effect on 26 January 1950, celebrated as Republic Day. The Constituent Assembly, which drafted the Constitution, was dominated by the Congress party. The Assembly was perhaps one of the most diverse bodies of its kind in history, with participants from religious minorities, prominent jurists, and women.
The Assembly first met on 9 December 1946, and Nehru outlined the vision of the Constitution in a famous speech on 13 December 1946, when the 'Objectives Resolution' was introduced. The Constitution was debated for over two years, with more than 2000 amendments moved, and it was signed by 284 members. The day it was adopted is celebrated as National Law Day or Constitution Day.
The Constitution was based on the debates of the Constituent Assembly of India and the first draft of Sir Benegal Narsing Rau. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, or B.R. Ambedkar, was the chairman of the drafting committee of the Constitution. He was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader. He had previously written a separate set of recommendations for the future Constitution of India when working with the all-European Simon Commission in 1925.
Ambedkar's text provided constitutional guarantees and protections for a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and outlawing all forms of discrimination. He also argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations of jobs for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
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The text prepared by Ambedkar provided constitutional guarantees and protections for civil liberties, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and outlawing discrimination
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, is known as the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. He was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India. Ambedkar played a significant role in shaping the Indian Constitution and was a key member of the Constituent Assembly. He was also the first Indian to pursue a doctorate in economics abroad.
Ambedkar's text provided robust constitutional guarantees and protections for civil liberties, including freedom of religion and the abolition of untouchability. Ambedkar himself was born into a Dalit Mahar family, which was considered an 'untouchable' caste. He experienced discrimination and humiliation from his high-caste peers from a young age. As a social reformer, he passionately advocated for individual freedom and criticised the Hindu caste system, which he believed was the foundation of discrimination.
Ambedkar led several movements and protests against untouchability and caste discrimination. In 1927, he started a movement to grant 'untouchables' access to public drinking water resources and the right to enter Hindu temples. He also led around 15,000 Dalits into the Kalaram Temple to help them see God for the first time. In the same year, he publicly denounced the Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text that justifies caste discrimination, and ceremonially burned copies of it.
Ambedkar's efforts extended beyond abolishing untouchability. He founded several journals on behalf of the Dalits and led protests against the social prohibitions imposed by the Hindu caste system. He also played a crucial role in gaining India's independence and served as the country's first Law and Justice Minister from 1947 to 1951. Additionally, he signed the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1932, which facilitated reserved seats for Dalits in the Provisional legislatures.
Ambedkar's legacy as a socio-political reformer had a profound impact on modern India. His initiatives influenced various aspects of Indian society, including socio-economic policies, education, and affirmative action. He was a staunch supporter of equality and worked tirelessly to abolish untouchability by leading the Dalit movement in India. In 1956, he converted to Buddhism, sparking a revival of interest in Buddhist philosophy and initiating mass conversions of Dalits. In recognition of his contributions, he was posthumously awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1990.
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Ambedkar argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced a system of job reservations for members of the SC and ST
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, commonly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, is often regarded as the architect of the Indian Constitution. He was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and political leader who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India.
Ambedkar was a strong advocate for extensive economic and social rights for women. He believed that eradicating gender inequality and elevating women's status were crucial components of social progress. He advocated for equal participation of women in both personal and professional spheres. As a member of the Legislative Council of Bombay in 1928, he supported a bill granting paid maternity leave for women working in factories. He argued that employers benefiting from women's labour should also support them during their maternity leave. He also drafted the Mines Maternity Benefit Act, which called for equal pay and representation for women coal mine workers. Ambedkar urged women to have reproductive rights and make their own choices about conception. He also recommended that birth control facilities be made available to women.
Ambedkar also introduced a system of job reservations for members of the Scheduled Castes (SC) and Scheduled Tribes (ST). The term "Depressed Classes" was used in the Poona Pact of 1932 to refer to the Untouchables among Hindus, who later became known as the SC and ST under the India Act 1935 and the Indian Constitution of 1950. Ambedkar negotiated with Mahatma Gandhi to secure more reserved seats for the backward classes within a single Hindu electorate. He believed that reservations for SC and ST should be in place for a limited period, arguing that 10 years was too short, and suggested a duration of 40 years.
Ambedkar's efforts to secure rights for women and reservations for SC and ST were integral parts of his work in shaping the Indian Constitution and fostering social advancement, particularly for marginalised groups.
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Ambedkar's constitution evolved away from judicial restraint and legal positivism, with the Supreme Court of India becoming the final arbiter of its meaning
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader, is popularly known as the Chief Architect of the Indian Constitution. He chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India, based on the debates of the Constituent Assembly of India and the first draft by Sir Benegal Narsing Rau. The Constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949 by the Constituent Assembly.
Ambedkar's constitution has been described as evolving away from judicial restraint and legal positivism. This is evidenced by the Supreme Court of India becoming the final arbiter of its meaning, with its interpretations binding on the executive and legislative branches of the government. This evolution can be traced back to the drafting of the constitution from 1947 to 1949, during which Ambedkar supported a purposive approach, recognising that "meaning would have to be poured into it from time to time". This approach stands in contrast to the judicial restraint and legal positivism favoured by Jawaharlal Nehru and leaders of India's anti-colonial nationalist movement, who held sway in the Constituent Assembly of India.
The purposive approach adopted by the Supreme Court allows it to interpret the Constitution purposively, ensuring its principles are realised. This evolution away from judicial restraint is not unique to India, with the US Constitution also becoming more open to interpretation over time. The fluidity of constitutional interpretation, or 'transformative constitutionalism', allows for the document to be adapted to changing circumstances and needs.
Ambedkar's constitution provided constitutional guarantees and protections for civil liberties, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination. He also argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced a system of reservations of jobs for members of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Ambedkar kept the clauses of the Constitution flexible to allow for amendments as needed.
In addition to his work on the Constitution, Ambedkar actively fought against untouchability and caste discrimination. He led public movements and marches to open up public drinking water resources and fought for the right to enter Hindu temples. He also publicly condemned the Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), an ancient Hindu text that ideologically justified caste discrimination, and ceremonially burned copies of it.
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Frequently asked questions
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader, is known as the architect of the Indian Constitution. He chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India.
Dr. Ambedkar's text provided constitutional guarantees and protections for a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination. He also argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced a system of reservations of jobs for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Dr. Ambedkar is also known for his efforts to eradicate social evils, leading to him being called the "messiah" of the Dalits and downtrodden in India. He was a freedom fighter, dedicating his life to the uplifting of the Dalits and transforming India into a country where freedom holds meaning for everyone. He also served as the Law and Justice Minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru.
