Eleanor Finch
Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on 14 April 1891, is widely recognised as the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. Ambedkar was a jurist, political leader, activist, and India's first law minister. He played a pivotal role in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ambedkar was instrumental in formulating a comprehensive and inclusive constitution that reflected the aspirations and principles of a diverse nation. Ambedkar's tireless efforts for social reform, advocacy for Dalit rights, and his invaluable role in drafting the Indian Constitution have cemented his legacy as one of India's greatest statesmen.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Chairman of the Drafting Committee | Led the task of formulating a comprehensive and inclusive constitution |
| Constitutional expert | Studied the constitutions of about 60 countries |
| Education | Studied law, economics and political science |
| Social reform | Fought for the rights of Dalits and other marginalised people |
| Social reform | Fought for social justice, equality, and human rights |
| Social reform | Established the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' in 1923-1924 for the social upliftment of the marginalised |
| Economic reform | Conceptualised and formulated the RBI |
| Economic reform | Emphasised the importance of waterways |
| Economic reform | Supported extensive economic and social rights for women |
| Political reform | Argued for separate electorates for the 'backward classes' |
| Political reform | Advocated for democracy in every field: social, economic and political |
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What You'll Learn
Ambedkar's tireless efforts for social reform
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, India, into a Dalit Mahar family, faced discrimination, segregation, and "untouchability" from an early age due to his family's low-caste status. As a young boy, he was even humiliated by his high-caste schoolfellows. However, despite these challenges, he excelled in his education, obtaining multiple degrees in law, economics, and political science from prestigious universities around the world, including Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
Ambedkar actively led movements against "untouchability" and fought for the right of the untouchable community to access public resources and enter Hindu temples. In 1927, he led the Mahad March, marking the beginning of the anti-caste movement. He also publicly condemned the Hindu text, the Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), for justifying caste discrimination, and ceremonially burned copies of the ancient text.
Ambedkar's social reform efforts extended beyond caste discrimination. He was an advocate for extensive economic and social rights for women, and successfully won the Assembly's support for introducing reservations for members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes in civil services, schools, and colleges. Additionally, he played a crucial role in drafting the Hindu Code Bill, which provided for equal treatment within families, particularly for women.
In 1936, Ambedkar formed the Independent Labour Party, and he remained a vocal critic of the Indian National Congress and Gandhi, whom he accused of not doing enough for the Dalits. He wrote "What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables" in 1945, expressing his disappointment with their efforts. Ambedkar's commitment to social reform was unwavering, and he was willing to challenge even the most powerful figures in Indian politics to fight for the rights and dignity of marginalised communities.
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His advocacy for Dalit rights
B.R. Ambedkar, a Dalit himself, was a crucial figure in the drafting of the Indian Constitution and is often known as the "Father of the Indian Constitution". He was a patriot, jurist, political leader, activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, distinguished writer, economist, editor, revolutionary, and Buddhist revivalist. Throughout his life, he advocated for the rights of Dalits and other marginalised people, as well as for social justice, equality, and human rights.
Ambedkar's advocacy for Dalit rights was deeply rooted in his own experiences of caste-based discrimination. Born into the Mahar caste, considered low-caste and treated as untouchables or Dalits, he faced discriminatory treatment from an early age. He and his brother were not allowed to sit on classroom chairs and were denied drinking water facilities, being excluded from games and mixing with other children. These incidents fuelled his determination to work for the protection of Dalit rights and the upliftment of their status.
In 1924, Ambedkar established the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' (Depressed Class Institute) to work for the welfare and social upliftment of the marginalised sections of society. He began public movements and marches to open up public drinking water resources and fought for the right of Dalits to enter Hindu temples. He led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the right of the untouchable community to draw water from the town's main water tank. In a 1927 conference, he publicly condemned the classic Hindu text, the Manusmriti (Laws of Manu), for ideologically justifying caste discrimination and ceremonially burned copies of the ancient text.
Ambedkar was a staunch advocate for the abolition of the caste system, which he saw as an unequal mode of organising social relations. He wrote critical works on the subject, including 'The Annihilation of Caste', a seminal text that was supposed to be delivered as a speech in 1936 to a group of liberal Hindu caste-reformers. However, after reading the speech, the group revoked his invitation. Ambedkar also supported the Hindu Code Bill, which he saw as an important reform of Hindu law, with reform proposals on marriage, divorce, and monogamy. He advocated for extensive economic and social rights for women and won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations for members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes in civil services, schools, and colleges.
Ambedkar's tireless efforts for social reform, his advocacy for Dalit rights, and his invaluable role in drafting the Indian Constitution were recognised with the Bharat Ratna in 1990, posthumously.
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His role in drafting the Indian Constitution
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on 14 April 1891, is widely recognised as the 'Father of the Indian Constitution'. As a social reformer and patriot, he played a pivotal role in drafting the Indian Constitution and is known for his tireless efforts and visionary leadership in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India.
Ambedkar's role in the independence struggle was complex. Unlike the dominant political discourse that focused on persuading the British to leave India, Ambedkar's interventions and advocacy centred on the protection and furtherance of Dalit rights. He often clashed with the Indian National Congress and worked towards putting in place political safeguards for untouchables. In 1924, he established the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' for the social upliftment of the marginalised sections with the motto "Educate, Agitate, Organise". He also led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the right of the untouchable community to draw water from the town's main water tank.
In 1947, Ambedkar was appointed as the Chairman of the constitution drafting committee. He was a wise constitutional expert who had studied the constitutions of about 60 countries. He brought his immense knowledge of law, political theory, and social issues to the table. As the Chairman, he had to defend the Draft Constitution, which the Committee prepared, and therefore intervened in nearly every debate. He was deeply committed to ensuring equality, justice, and protection of fundamental rights for all citizens, especially the marginalised and oppressed sections of society.
Ambedkar's draft Constitution 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 was also an exemplary force behind drafting the Hindu Code Bill, which made uniform provisions for equal treatment within the confines of families, particularly for women. He advocated for extensive economic and social rights for women and won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations for members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes in civil services, schools, and colleges.
Ambedkar's contributions to the development of the Indian Constitution are unparalleled, and his work continues to inspire generations. He was awarded India's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna, in 1990.
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His interventions and speeches in the Assembly
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, born on 14 April 1891, was an Indian political leader, jurist, patriot, activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, distinguished writer, economist, editor, and Buddhist revivalist. He was the first Dalit to become India's first Law Minister in 1947. He was a key member of the Constituent Assembly and played a pivotal role in drafting the Constitution of India.
Ambedkar's interventions and speeches in the Assembly were instrumental in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he intervened in nearly every debate and brought his immense knowledge of law, political theory, and social issues to the table. He was deeply committed to ensuring equality, justice, and the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens, especially the marginalised and oppressed sections of society.
Ambedkar's interventions in the Assembly focused on advocating for the rights of Dalits and other marginalised communities. He had experienced discrimination and segregation first-hand due to his family's low-caste status. He fought against caste discrimination and the practice of "untouchability," leading public movements and marches to open up public drinking water resources and fighting for the right to enter Hindu temples. He also advocated for extensive economic and social rights for women and won the Assembly's support for introducing a system of reservations for members of scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, and other backward classes in civil services, schools, and colleges.
In his interventions, Ambedkar emphasised the importance of education in breaking down social barriers and achieving social status, economic betterment, and political freedom for the marginalised. He established the "Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha" in 1923 or 1924 to spread education, improve economic conditions, and raise awareness about the problems faced by the marginalised. Ambedkar also played a major role in the education of the marginalised, founding the 'Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha' (Outcastes Welfare Association) to spread education and culture among the downtrodden.
Ambedkar's interventions in the Assembly also addressed the issue of centralisation of power. He clarified the fundamental principle of federalism, stating that the Legislative and Executive powers should be divided between the Union and the States, with the Union and States being co-equals. He reassured that the States were not dependent on the Union government for their legislative or executive powers. Ambedkar also emphasised that the Indian Constitution prioritised responsibility and accountability over stability by choosing a parliamentary system of governance.
In addition to his interventions, Ambedkar's speeches in the Assembly left a lasting impact. In his concluding speech in the Constituent Assembly on 25 November 1949, he humbly acknowledged the contributions of others, saying, "The credit that is given to me does not really belong to me. It belongs partly to Sir B.N. Rau, the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent Assembly, who prepared a rough draft of the Constitution for the consideration of the Drafting Committee." Ambedkar's speeches reflected his commitment to dignity, unity, freedom, and rights for all citizens, and his belief in democracy in the social, economic, and political spheres.
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His support for the purposive approach
B.R. Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb, is widely recognized as the Father of the Indian Constitution due to his instrumental role in drafting and framing the Constitution of India. As the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he played a pivotal role in shaping the constitutional framework of independent India.
Ambedkar's support for the purposive approach during the drafting of the constitution from 1947 to 1949 was a significant aspect of his contribution to the Indian Constitution. The purposive approach can be understood as interpreting the law with the intention of fulfilling the purpose of the guarantee and securing the full benefit of its protection for individuals. It involves considering the character and larger objects of the law, the language used, and the historical context in which it was enacted.
Ambedkar's endorsement of the purposive approach stemmed from his concern for safeguarding the Constitution and India's democratic freedoms. He believed that the country was vulnerable to losing its democratic ideals due to a lack of a strong democratic tradition, the prevalence of 'bhakti' or political 'hero worship', and the gap between the Constitution's republican promises and socio-economic inequality. By adopting the purposive approach, Ambedkar sought to ensure that the interpretation and application of the Constitution remained true to its underlying purpose and intent.
The purposive approach has been a subject of debate among legal scholars, with some arguing for different variations and degrees of purposivism. Abbe Gluck, for instance, noted the existence of "different stripes of purposivists," indicating varying interpretations and applications of the approach. Despite being in the minority, Ambedkar's support for the purposive approach during the drafting process left an enduring impact on the interpretation of the Indian Constitution.
Ambedkar's commitment to ensuring equality, justice, and the protection of fundamental rights for all citizens, especially the marginalized and oppressed, aligned with the principles of the purposive approach. His advocacy for extensive economic and social rights for women, reservations of jobs for scheduled castes and tribes, and his battle against untouchability and caste discrimination exemplified his dedication to these ideals.
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Frequently asked questions
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb, was a patriot, jurist, political leader, activist, philosopher, thinker, anthropologist, historian, orator, distinguished writer, economist, editor, revolutionary, and Buddhist revivalist.
Ambedkar's role in the Indian freedom struggle was centred around the protection and furtherance of Dalit rights. He often clashed with the Indian National Congress and worked towards putting in place political safeguards for untouchables.
Ambedkar was a key member of the Constituent Assembly and was elected as Chairman of the Drafting Committee. He played a leading role in framing the constitution, advocating for the rights of marginalised sections of society.
Ambedkar's contributions to the Indian Constitution include the abolition of untouchability, the outlawing of all forms of discrimination, and the provision of extensive economic and social rights for women and marginalised communities. He also advocated for democracy and social justice in every field.
B.R. Ambedkar is called the "Father of the Indian Constitution" due to his instrumental role in drafting and framing the Constitution of India. He brought his immense knowledge of law, political theory, and social issues to the task, and his contributions continue to inspire generations.
