Born in 1891 near Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhimrao Ambedkar was a man aware of the social hierarchy prevalent at the time. He belonged to a low caste and thus faced humiliation from the people from the so-called upper castes.
To help fight this impediment, he worked tirelessly from childhood. He was outstanding in his school performances but was married at the age of 14 to Ramabai. However, he continued relentlessly with his studies and joined Elphinstone College in Bombay.
He was awarded a scholarship to further his studies in America and obtained his M.A. in Economics from Columbia. He also received an M.Sc and Ph.D. to add to his academic achievements.
On his return, he lived in Baroda but could not settle due to caste politics in the area. Eventually, he moved to Bombay and started his law career.
His focus shifted to fighting for equality for the lower castes and protecting their interests. He also wanted to abolish the inhuman practice of untouchability from Indian society.
In his fight, he got patronage from the colonial rule as they wanted to keep Indian struggle divided into lines of caste, religion, etc. However, in 1932, he struck an agreement with Gandhiji to include the removal of untouchability in the Congress manifesto.
Due to his efforts in the round table conference in England, lower castes awarded separate electorates but due to the words of Gandhiji, Ambedkar agreed to reject such a proposal.
He was also a strong opponent of the Brahminical domination of Indian society, politics, and economy. He challenged their supremacy and was targeted to a lot of vitriol. His party, Swatantra Mazdoor Dal ended up winning all the seats in Bombay elections making him a messiah of the vulnerable.
As part of the constituent Assembly, he was designated the chairman of the drafting committee and thus became the architect of our constitution.
It was due to his insistence, that many progressive clauses like the abolition of untouchability were included in the first document of the nation.
After Independence, he became the first-ever law minister of India and instituted many controversial but necessary bills like Civil Liberties bill, Hindu Code Bill, etc.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was a man of the masses who fought his entire life for the interests of the defenseless. He was a votary of a fair and egalitarian society and through the constitution of India, tried to install safeguards against exploitation and oppression of the poor and vulnerable by the strong, rich and politically empowered.
