<–2/”>a >Due 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 Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, India. He was the son of Ramji Sakpal, a subedar in the British Indian Army, and Bhimabai, a housewife. Ambedkar was born into a Dalit family, which is a group of people who are considered to be “untouchables” in the Hindu caste system.
Ambedkar’s early life was marked by POVERTY and discrimination. He was denied admission to a number of schools because of his caste. However, he was a brilliant student and eventually managed to get a good Education. He studied at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and Columbia University in New York City.
After returning to India, Ambedkar became a lawyer and a social reformer. He campaigned for the rights of Dalits and other marginalized groups. He also worked to improve the condition of women and labourers. Ambedkar was a prolific writer and scholar. He wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including law, economics, politics, and social reform.
Ambedkar was a controversial figure. His views were often opposed by both the Hindu and Muslim communities. He was assassinated on December 6, 1956, just a few months after the adoption of the Constitution of India.
Ambedkar is a revered figure in India. He is considered one of the most important figures in the country’s history. He is a symbol of hope and inspiration for Dalits and other marginalized groups. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
Early life
Ambedkar was born into a Dalit family in the town of Mhow in the princely state of Baroda (now in Madhya Pradesh). His father, Ramji Sakpal, was a subedar in the British Indian Army, and his mother, Bhimabai, was a housewife. Ambedkar had three brothers and two sisters.
Ambedkar’s early life was marked by poverty and discrimination. He was denied admission to a number of schools because of his caste. However, he was a brilliant student and eventually managed to get a good education. He studied at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and Columbia University in New York City.
Education
Ambedkar was educated at Elphinstone College in Mumbai and Columbia University in New York City. He graduated from Elphinstone College with a degree in economics in 1912. He then went on to study law at Columbia University, where he received a doctorate in 1916.
Career
After returning to India, Ambedkar became a lawyer and a social reformer. He campaigned for the rights of Dalits and other marginalized groups. He also worked to improve the condition of women and labourers. Ambedkar was a prolific writer and scholar. He wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including law, economics, politics, and social reform.
Personal life
Ambedkar married Ramabai Ambedkar in 1906. They had four children together. Ramabai Ambedkar was a strong supporter of her husband’s work. She was also a social reformer in her own right.
Legacy
Ambedkar is a revered figure in India. He is considered one of the most important figures in the country’s history. He is a symbol of hope and inspiration for Dalits and other marginalized groups. His legacy continues to inspire people around the world.
Works
Ambedkar wrote extensively on a variety of topics, including law, economics, politics, and social reform. Some of his most important works include:
- Annihilation of Caste (1936)
- The Buddha and His Dhamma (1957)
- The Riddle of Hinduism-2/”>Hinduism (1958)
- What Congress and Gandhi Have Done to the Untouchables (1945)
- Pakistan or the Partition of India (1946)
Awards and honors
Ambedkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award, in 1990. He was also awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, in 1955.
Controversies
Ambedkar was a controversial figure. His views were often opposed by both the Hindu and Muslim communities. He was assassinated on December 6, 1956, just a few months after the adoption of the Constitution of India.
References
- Ambedkar, B. R. (1936). Annihilation of Caste. New Delhi: Navayana Publishing.
- Ambedkar, B. R. (1957). The Buddha and His Dhamma. New Delhi: Siddharth Publications.
- Ambedkar, B. R. (1958). The Riddle of Hinduism
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, without mentioning the topic:
- Who was he?
He was a social reformer, politician, and jurist who played a leading role in the Indian independence movement and in drafting the Constitution of India. - What did he do?
He campaigned against social discrimination against Dalits (formerly known as “Untouchables”) and worked to improve their rights. He was also a key figure in the establishment of the Republic of India. - Why is he important?
He is considered one of the most important figures in Indian history. He is revered by many 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 independence movement and to the drafting of the Constitution of India. - What are some of his accomplishments?
He was the first Indian to earn a doctorate in economics from the University of Columbia. He was also the first law minister of India. He is the author of several books, including “The Annihilation of Caste” and “Who Were the Shudras?” - What are some of his criticisms?
Some people have criticized him for his views on religion and for his association with the Hindu nationalist movement. - What is his legacy?
He is remembered as a champion of social justice and as one of the most important figures in Indian history. His birthday is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti, a public holiday in India.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the topic of social justice, without mentioning the topic:
- What is social justice?
Social justice is the belief that all people are entitled to equal rights and opportunities, regardless of their race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, or other personal characteristics. - Why is social justice important?
Social justice is important because it promotes equality and fairness for all people. It helps to create a more just and equitable society. - What are some examples of social justice issues?
Some examples of social justice issues include poverty, discrimination, and violence. - What can be done to promote social justice?
There are many things that can be done to promote social justice, such as advocating for policies that support equality, working to end discrimination, and educating people about social justice issues.
Here are some frequently asked questions and short answers about the topic of the Constitution of India, without mentioning the topic:
- What is the Constitution of India?
The Constitution of India is the supreme law of India. It was adopted on 26 November 1949 and came into effect on 26 January 1950. - What does the Constitution of India do?
The Constitution of India sets out the basic principles and laws of the Indian government. It also guarantees certain fundamental rights to all Indian citizens. - Why is the Constitution of India important?
The Constitution of India is important because it is the foundation of the Indian government. It guarantees certain fundamental rights to all Indian citizens and protects the rights of minorities. - What are some of the key features of the Constitution of India?
Some of the key features of the Constitution of India include its secular nature, its federal structure, and its commitment to social justice. - What are some of the challenges facing the Constitution of India?
Some of the challenges facing the Constitution of India include the rise of Hindu nationalism, the threat of terrorism, and the growing gap between the rich and the poor.
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Who was the first law minister of India?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -
Who is the father of the Indian Constitution?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -
Who is the chief architect of the Indian Constitution?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -
Who is the leader of the Dalit movement in India?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -
Who is the first Indian to receive the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -
Who is the author of the book “Annihilation of Caste”?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Jawaharlal Nehru
(C) Mahatma Gandhi
(D) Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel -
Who is the founder of the Bahujan Samaj Party?
(A) Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar
(B) Kanshi Ram
(C) Mayawati
(D) Mulayam Singh Yadav -
Who is the first Dalit President of India?
(A) K. R. Narayanan
(B) Pratibha Patil
(C) A. P. J. Abdul Kalam
(D) Ram Nath Kovind -
Who is the first Dalit Chief Minister of a state in India?
(A) Jyoti Basu
(B) Mayawati
(C) V. P. Singh
(D) Mulayam Singh Yadav -
Who is the first Dalit to be appointed as the Governor of a state in India?
(A) P. V. Narasimha Rao
(B) K. R. Narayanan
(C) Pratibha Patil
(D) Ram Nath Kovind