Bhimrao Ambedkar (1891-1956)

 Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, popularly 

 known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reformers who campaigned against social discrimination and caste oppression. He was born on April 14, 1891, in the town of Mhow in the Central Provinces (now in Madhya Pradesh), India, and passed away on December 6, 1956, in Delhi. His life and work have had a profound impact on the Indian society and the Dalit (formerly known as untouchable) community.

Early Life and Education:

B.R. Ambedkar was born into a Dalit family, who were considered to be the lowest rung of the Indian caste system. His father, Ramji Maloji Sakpal, was an army officer, and his mother, Bhimabai, was a homemaker. As a child, Ambedkar faced severe discrimination and was not allowed to sit with his classmates or drink water from the same jug. He faced humiliation and exclusion from various social activities, which he later described as the “untouchability” of the caste system

Despite these challenges, Ambedkar was a bright student and earned scholarships to complete his education. He completed his primary education in a local school and went on to attend high school in Bombay (now Mumbai). In 1907, he passed his matriculation examination and enrolled in Elphinstone College in Bombay, where he studied economics and political science. In 1912, he graduated from Bombay University with a degree in economics and politics, becoming one of the first Dalits to receive a college education.

Academic and Professional Career:

After completing his education, Ambedkar was appointed as the Military Secretary to the Gaikwad of Baroda, a princely state in western India. In 1917, he resigned from this post to pursue higher studies in the United States. He enrolled at Columbia University in New York City, where he earned a Master’s degree in economics in 1915 and a Doctorate in Philosophy in 1927. During his time in the US, he also studied sociology, anthropology, and political science.

Upon returning to India in 1923, Ambedkar began to practice law and established a law firm in Bombay. He fought for the rights of the oppressed and the marginalized and was appointed as the legal advisor to the Maharaja of Kolhapur. He also became involved in social and political activism and began to write and speak on issues related to caste and social discrimination.

Contribution to Indian Constitution:

Ambedkar is widely recognized for his contributions to the drafting of the Indian Constitution. He was appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly in 1947, and he played a crucial role in the formulation of the Constitution. He was responsible for ensuring that the Constitution reflected the values of democracy, liberty, and equality, and that it protected the rights of all citizens, regardless of their caste, creed, or religion.

One of the most significant contributions that Ambedkar made to the Constitution was the inclusion of provisions that outlawed caste-based discrimination and untouchability. He also advocated for the reservation of seats in educational institutions and government jobs for members of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, who were historically disadvantaged and marginalized.

Political Career:

Ambedkar’s political career began in the 1920s when he became involved in the Indian National Congress. He was appointed as the Secretary of the Congress and was later elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly. However, he became disillusioned with the Congress’s approach to social justice and felt that they were not doing enough to address the issues faced by the Dalit community.