Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was one of the most impactful individuals who have ever lived in India as he transformed the social and legal aspects of the country. Coming from a Dalit family background, he was subjected to extreme oppression, which greatly shaped his perception of social equity. He was an accomRead more
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was one of the most impactful individuals who have ever lived in India as he transformed the social and legal aspects of the country. Coming from a Dalit family background, he was subjected to extreme oppression, which greatly shaped his perception of social equity. He was an accomplished academic, acquiring degrees from noted universities such as Columbia University and the London School of Economics. While serving as the head of the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar’s influence was instrumental in including provisions of upholding justice, equality, and safeguarding the rights of minorities.
Ambedkar’s untiring efforts towards fighting discrimination based on caste inequalities, and his advocacy for the rights of the Dalits – the emancipated “untouchables” – deeply integrated him into the framework of Indian history as “the father of the Indian Constitution.” The work he did towards the removal of untouchability and consideration towards social reforms with his adoption of Buddhism in 1956 significantly transformed the socio-political fabric of India. He pioneered the campaign for human rights in India and his life’s work remains a source of inspiration for countless people in social movements around the world.
See less
The Congress party’s posthumous elevation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to near-demigod status is rooted in both political strategy and the undeniable impact of Ambedkar’s legacy. During his lifetime, Ambedkar was a fierce critic of the Congress establishment, particularly its approach to caste and social juRead more
The Congress party’s posthumous elevation of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar to near-demigod status is rooted in both political strategy and the undeniable impact of Ambedkar’s legacy. During his lifetime, Ambedkar was a fierce critic of the Congress establishment, particularly its approach to caste and social justice. He clashed with Gandhi over the Poona Pact, exposed the caste contradictions within Congress ranks, and frequently accused the party of tokenism toward Dalits. Despite being made Law Minister in Nehru’s cabinet and Chair of the Constitution Drafting Committee, he resigned in frustration over Congress’s reluctance to pass the Hindu Code Bill — a major social reform for women’s rights.
After Ambedkar’s death in 1956, and especially post-1990s when Dalit movements gained momentum and Ambedkar’s image as a social reformer and Constitution-maker gained mass appeal, Congress began repositioning him as a national icon. This appropriation helped Congress tap into Dalit votes and portray itself as an inclusive party. State-sponsored memorials, public holidays, and repetitive invocation of his name without deep engagement with his radical ideas became part of this myth-making process.
In essence, Ambedkar’s transformation into a revered figure by Congress was less about genuine alignment with his ideals and more about political necessity and popular legitimacy.
See less