Today we celebrate the 134th birth anniversary of an illustrious son of India, Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar.
We remember and honour him for many reasons .
As the Chief architect of the Constitution of the new India, he gifted us with the Bible of the nation.
Born into the ‘untouchable’ Mahar caste, he rebelled against social evils and injustices which he and his people were made to suffer by upper caste Hindus.
He chose to get educated and became one of the best educated and enlightened men of our country.
He fought for the freedom of our country alongside Gandhi, Nehru , Patel and others.
When India became independent, he realised that there were many other non freedoms and oppressions he had to fight for. The new weapon he chose was the Constitution which laid down laws and regulations founded on fundamental rights and freedoms of equality, economic progress, freedom of conscience and religion and also human liberation from caste-class oppression.
Rebelling against the Hindu Brahmanical demeaning attitudes towards the dalits, he chose to break away from Hinduism. With 365,000 followers he converted to Buddhism.
“I tell you all very specifically, religion is for man and not man for religion. To get human treatment, convert yourselves,” Ambedkar had told his followers. It was a 20 year contemplation and rational thinking that led him to this switch over.
As a jurist, economist, politician and social reformer, Dr. Ambedkar shines on the firmament of India. Above all, as a fine human being!
Today is also known as Equality Day in honour of Dr. Ambedkar.
“The Constitution is not a mere lawyers’ document; it is a vehicle of Life, and its spirit is always the spirit of Age… If I find the Constitution being misused, I shall be the first one to burn it.”(Ambedkar)
Our salute to Ambedkar!
