Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891-1956):
- Why in the News? : Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s 135th birth anniversary was celebrated across India.
- Introduction : Born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, he was a prominent jurist, economist, social reformer, and politician. He received higher education from several prominent institutions, including Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He was posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honour Bharat Ratna in 1990 for his work in eradicating social inequality. He died on 6 December,1956 in Delhi.
- Contribution and achievements : He was the chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly. He ensured that the Constitution incorporated the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity. He worked tirelessly to abolish untouchability. In 1927, he led the Mahad Satyagraha, a struggle to secure the right for Dalits to draw water from public wells. He founded the Independent Labour Party and advocated for workers’ rights. After independence, he became India’s first Law Minister. He introduced the Hindu Code Bill, which guaranteed women’s rights.