Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti

Table of Contents

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti- Relevance for UPSC Exam

GS Paper 1: Indian History- Modern Indian history from about the middle of the eighteenth century until the present- significant events, personalities, issues.

Recently, the President of India, Shri Ram Nath Kovind has greeted fellow citizens on the eve of the birthday of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

About: BR Ambedkar was an Indian philosopher, political leader, writer, economist, socio-religious reformer and best known as one of the main architects of the Indian Constitution.
- He is popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar.
- BR Ambedkar faced many injustices and discrimination in society as he was born in a caste that was considered untouchable in contemporary society.
- His work was centered around eliminating caste-based discrimination in society and motivated the Dalits to organize and demand their rights.
Birth and Death: Babasaheb Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Madhya Pradesh in Hindu Mahar Caste.
- Babasaheb Ambedkar died on 6 December 1956 in Delhi, India.
BR Ambedkar Education: Ambedkar was an economist and had doctoral degrees in economics from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
Important works of BR Ambedkar: Mook Nayak (weekly) 1920; Janta (weekly) 1930; The Annihilation of Caste 1936; Pakistan or the Partition of India; ‘Buddha and His Dharma’; The Untouchables 1948; Buddha or Karl Marx 1956, etc.

An economist and advocate of human rights and women empowerment, Dr. Ambedkar is considered as a leading nation builder of our country.
BR Ambedkar headed the Drafting committee of the Constituent Assembly of Independent India, responsible for framing the Constitution of India.
Ambedkar contributed to promoting harmony and tried to eradicate the evils of the caste system.
A true believer in the rule of law, Dr. Ambedkar constantly worked for the rights of poor and backward classes.

‘Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association)’ was launched by BR Ambedkar in 1923 for spreading education and culture amongst the downtrodden.
Ambedkar attended all the three Round Table Conferences (1930-32) in London representing the interests of the Untouchables of the Indian Society.
Ambedkar became the first Law Minister in 1947 under the Congress-led government.
BR Ambedkar was appointed as a member of the Rajya Sabha in 1952 and remained a member till his death.
In 1990, India’s highest civilian award, the Bharat Ratna was posthumously conferred on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.