DDue to his seminal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution, Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar is popularly known all over India as the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. His efforts to eradicate social evils were remarkable and that is why he is called the “messiah” of the Dalits and downtrodden in India. Dr Ambedkar was appointed the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee. The text prepared by Ambedkar provided constitutional guarantees and protections for a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the Abolition of Untouchability and outlawing all forms of discrimination. Ambedkar argued for extensive economic and social rights for Women, and also won the Constituent Assembly’s support for introducing a system of reservations of jobs for members of the SC and ST. Ambedkar kept the clauses of the Constitution flexible so that amendments could be made as and when the situation demanded. He provided an inspiring Preamble to the Constitution ensuring Justice, social, economic and political, Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. The creation of an egalitarian social order, however, remains an unfulfilled wishful thinking to this day.
Dr Ambedkar was not only a learned scholar and an eminent jurist but also a revolutionary who fought against social evils like untouch-ability and caste restrictions. Throughout his life, he battled social discrimination while upholding the rights of the Dalits and other socially backward classes. He was not only a great national leader but also a distinguished scholar of international repute. He not only led various social movements for the upliftment of the depressed sections of the Society/”>Indian Society but also contributed to the understanding of the socio-economic and political problems of India through his scholarly works on caste, religion, culture, constitutional law and Economic Development. As a matter of fact he was an economist and his various scholarly works and speeches indicate his deep understanding of the problems faced by the Indian society. He was appointed as the nation’s first Law Minister and was posthu-mously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1990-91.
On August 29, 1947 Dr. Ambedkar was appointed the Chairman of the Drafting Committee that was constituted by Constituent Assembly to draft a Constitution for independent India. The draft Constitution was the result of the collective efforts of a galaxy of great leaders and legal scholars in the Constituent Assembly such as Jawaharlal Nehru, Rajendra Prasad, B.R. Ambedkar, Sardar Patel, B.N. Rao, Alladi Krishnaswamy Ayyar etc. The purpose of this paper is to examine the contribution of Dr Ambedkar only to the Indian Constitution.
Dr Ambedkar played a seminal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution. He used all his experience and knowledge in drafting the Constitution. In his capacity as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee, he hammered out a comprehensive workable Constitution into which he incorporated his valuable views. He gave free India its legal framework, and the people, the basis of their freedom. To this end, his contribution was significant, substantial, and spectacular. Dr Ambedkar’s contribution to the evolution of free India lies in his striving for ensuring justice—social, economic and political—for one and all.
Ambedkar was a champion of fundamental rights, and Part III of the Indian Constitution guarantees the fundamental rights to the citizens against the state. Some of the fundamental rights contained in Articles 15(2), 17, 23, and 24 are also enforceable against individuals as they are very significant rights relating to the Prohibition of discrimination on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth etc. The text prepared by Ambedkar provided constitutional guarantees and protections for a wide range of civil liberties for individual citizens, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability and outlawing all forms of discrimination. Ambedkar argued for extensive economic and social rights for women.
According to Ambedkar, the most significant feature of the fundamental rights is that these rights are made justiciable. The right to move to The Supreme Court for enforcement of fundamental rights under ARTICLE 32 is itself a fundamental right. Article 32 authorises the Supreme Court to issue directions, orders or writs in the nature of Habeas Corpus, Mandamus, certioraris etc. or any other appropriate remedy, as the case may be, for the enforcement of funda-mental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.
Parliamentary Democracy
Dr. ambedkar was a strong advocate of the Parliamentary form of government right from the inception of the Government of India Act of 1935. He firmly believed that the parliamentary System of Government alone can usher in an egalitarian society through the application of the principles of social democracy. Dr Ambedkar’s social democracy comprised politicians, Political Parties with high standards of political morality, honesty and Integrity and strong and highly responsible Opposition party or parties committed to the cause of the downtrodden and depressed classes. The Preamble of the Indian Constitution echoes the principles of parliamentary democracy.
Protective Discrimination/Reservation
The real contribution of Ambedkar is reflected in the protective discrimination scheme or the reservation policy of the government envisaged under some provisions of Part III and many of Part IV dealing with the constitutional mandate to ameliorate the condition of the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes and the other backward classes. Provisions like Article 17 prohibiting untouchability, Article 30 dealing with the protection of minorities are some of the notable examples. Articles 15(4) and16(4) of Part III and Part XI, and Schedule V and VI dealing with the upliftment of the Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes speak clearly about the substantial and significant contribution of Ambedkar for the development of untouchables.5 Ambedkar made it his life’s mission to uplift the untouchables and other downtrodden masses from the unequal position of inferiority to that of equal position of parity in socio-economic status with high-caste Hindus. For achieving this goal the reservation policy or the scheme of protective discrimination was advocated and implemented by him for ten years at least to ameliorate the conditions of the various depressed and down-trodden sections of Hindu society.
,Bhimrao Ambedkar was a social reformer, politician, and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He was born into a Dalit family in Maharashtra, India, in 1891. He faced discrimination and prejudice throughout his life, but he overcame these obstacles to become one of the most influential figures in Indian history.
Ambedkar was a vocal critic of the caste system, which he saw as a form of social injustice. He argued that the caste system was based on inequality and discrimination, and he called for its abolition. He also campaigned for the rights of women, and he worked to improve the Education and economic opportunities of Dalits.
Ambedkar was a prolific writer and thinker. He wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including caste, untouchability, women’s rights, education, religion, economic development, social reform, politics, philosophy, law, history, literature, and culture. His writings are still widely read and studied today.
Ambedkar was a complex and controversial figure. He was admired by many for his work to improve the lives of Dalits and other marginalized groups. However, he was also criticized by some for his views on religion and caste.
Despite his critics, Ambedkar is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Indian history. He was a visionary leader who fought for social justice and equality for all. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
Here are some of Ambedkar’s key contributions to social thought:
- He argued that the caste system was a form of social injustice and called for its abolition.
- He campaigned for the rights of women, and he worked to improve the education and economic opportunities of Dalits.
- He was a prolific writer and thinker, and his writings are still widely read and studied today.
- He was a complex and controversial figure, but he is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Indian history.
Ambedkar’s work has had a profound impact on Indian society. He helped to raise awareness of the problems of caste and untouchability, and he inspired many people to fight for social justice. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
1. Who was Bhimrao Ambedkar?
Bhimrao Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reformer who campaigned against social discrimination against Dalits (formerly known as “Untouchables”) and women. He was the principal architect of the Constitution of India and the first Minister of Law and Justice of India.
2. What were Ambedkar’s main social thoughts?
Ambedkar’s social thought was based on the principles of equality, justice, and human dignity. He believed that all people are equal and should be treated with respect, regardless of their caste, religion, or gender. He also believed that the government had a responsibility to protect the rights of its citizens and to promote social justice.
3. What were Ambedkar’s main contributions to Indian society?
Ambedkar’s main contributions to Indian society were his work to abolish the caste system, his fight for the rights of Dalits, and his role in drafting the Constitution of India. He is also considered to be the father of the Indian Constitution.
4. What were Ambedkar’s main criticisms?
Ambedkar has been criticized for his views on religion and for his association with the Hindu Mahasabha. He has also been criticized for his support of violence as a means to achieve Social Change.
5. What is Ambedkar’s legacy?
Ambedkar is considered to be one of the most important figures in Indian history. He is revered by Dalits and other marginalized groups for his work to improve their rights. He is also respected by many other Indians for his contributions to the country’s development.
6. What are some of the ways in which Ambedkar’s legacy is still felt today?
Ambedkar’s legacy is still felt today in many ways. His work to abolish the caste system has had a profound impact on Indian society. His fight for the rights of Dalits has helped to improve their lives in many ways. And his role in drafting the Constitution of India has helped to shape the country’s laws and institutions.
7. What are some of the challenges that Dalits face today?
Dalits continue to face many challenges today. They are often discriminated against in education, EMPLOYMENT, and housing. They are also more likely to be victims of violence than other groups in India.
8. What are some of the things that are being done to help Dalits?
There are many organizations working to help Dalits. These organizations provide education, employment training, and legal assistance to Dalits. They also work to raise awareness about the discrimination that Dalits face.
9. What can you do to help Dalits?
There are many things that you can do to help Dalits. You can educate yourself about the discrimination that they face. You can also support organizations that are working to help Dalits. And you can speak out against discrimination when you see it.
Who is the architect of the Indian Constitution? (A) Mahatma Gandhi (B) Jawaharlal Nehru (C) B.R. Ambedkar (D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel
What is the name of the movement that B.R. Ambedkar led to fight for the rights of Dalits? (A) The Dalit Panther Movement (B) The Satyagraha Movement (C) The Non-Cooperation Movement (D) The Ambedkarite Movement
What is the name of the book that B.R. Ambedkar wrote about the Caste System in India? (A) Annihilation of Caste (B) The Buddha and His Dhamma (C) Riddles in Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism (D) What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables
What is the name of the political party that B.R. Ambedkar founded? (A) The Republican Party of India (B) The Janata Party (C) The Bharatiya Janata Party (D) The Indian National Congress
What is the name of the university that B.R. Ambedkar founded? (A) Siddhartha University (B) Ambedkar University (C) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Marathwada University (D) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Open University
What is the name of the award that is given annually to individuals who have made significant contributions to the upliftment of Dalits? (A) The B.R. Ambedkar Award (B) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar International Award (C) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar National Award (D) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar State Award
What is the name of the day that is celebrated every year on April 14 to commemorate the birth of B.R. Ambedkar? (A) Ambedkar Jayanti (B) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti (C) B.R. Ambedkar Day (D) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Day
What is the name of the temple that was built in memory of B.R. Ambedkar in Mumbai? (A) The Ambedkar Memorial (B) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial (C) The B.R. Ambedkar Smarak (D) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak
What is the name of the statue of B.R. Ambedkar that is located in the United States Capitol? (A) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Statue (B) The B.R. Ambedkar Statue (C) The Ambedkar Statue (D) The Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Memorial
What is the name of the street in London that was renamed after B.R. Ambedkar in 2018? (A) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Avenue (B) B.R. Ambedkar Street (C) Ambedkar Street (D) Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Way