Vinod Chandrashehar Dixit
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar heralded as the Father of Indian Constitution was born on April 14, which is observed as Ambedkar Jayanti year on year. He is called as “The Father of the Indian Constitution”. Bharat Ratna Dr. Ambedkar may not have been a hero of the war of Indian independence, but he is the hero who built an independent India. 125th birthday anniversary is being celebrated to commemorate his memories. After decades of neglect, one of the finest minds and statesmen of India, Dr. Ambedkar, is now invoked by almost everybody on the public scene. It is no wonder that everyone called him ‘Babasaheb', out of love and admiration. He was the lion-hearted man who fought for equality, justice and humanity. The constitution of India written by the Dr. Ambedkar is still guiding the county and helps it in emerging out safely even after it had passed throughout the several crises. BR Ambedkar was also a supporter of equality and that's why he was actively involved in fighting against social discrimination and rights of women and Dalits. Despite this stigma he worked his way forward fighting discrimination at every step and achieved the highest degrees from world-famous universities and rose to become one of the makers of modern India. On April 14, 1990, the Indian Government honored Dr. Ambedkar with the most prestigious Bharat Ratna Award. Around this time, a life size portrait of Babasaheb Dr. Ambedkar was unveiled in the central hall of the Parliament building.
He was no doubt a great man who single handedly gave millions the hope to live and prosper in a society that deprived them of even the most basic needs. Baba Saheb greatly contributed to the nation as a jurist, philosopher, politician, anthropologist, economist and historian. His statue, with its ubiquitous electric blue suit, may be a common sight at bus stands, bastis and universities, but it hardly brings out the fact that his life is one that was overshadowed by iconography and idolatry. Leadership of Baba Saheb and his teachings contained in his spoken and written word have given them sufficient independence of thought and action. Like most great men of the world he was the most misunderstood person in his own time. He had chosen a thorny path to tread on while others preferred the rosy path for their life journey. A march was also led by him in the year 1927 at Mahad, Maharashtra for ascertaining the equal rights for untouchable people who were not allowed to even touch or taste the water of “Public Chawdar Lake”. He led the temple entry movement in the year 1930 at Kalaram Temple, Nashik, and Maharashtra for real human rights and political justice. According to him political power is not the only way to solve all the problems of depressed class people but they should get equal rights in the society in every field.
Dr. Ambedkar strongly opined that the government in a democracy must be a responsible government formed by the representatives of people. He never wanted to impose a constitution on the Indians, rather he submitted that the opinion of the masses on how they wished to be governed must be accepted. He said, “The best government rests on the people, and not on the few on persons and not on property, on the free development of public opinion and not on authority.”Dr. Ambedkar, with his worldly perspective, changed the country's fate. He was a liberator and philosopher. Dr. Ambedkar was a man ahead of his time. We remember his efforts to eradicate social evils and the importance he gave to education. He decided to delve into the history of human discrimination and untouchability menace. As independent India's first Law Minister, Dr. Ambedkar collaborated closely with Prime Minister Nehru in fighting against oppressive social hierarchies in Indian society. He hit the nail on the head, when he said that caste system in India was the root cause of the evil practice. Those who play politics of caste have no interest in welfare of poor people even within their caste. A nation can only progress if there is a feeling of unity. Babasaheb became a voice for the oppressed and downtrodden. His ideals and thoughts will continue to guide us in our mission for an equal society. Dr. Ambedkar added that after Independence, we had greater responsibilities and that if things went wrong, we would have nobody to blame except ourselves.
