Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (1891–1956), also known as Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, economist, politician, and social reformer.
Early Life and Education:
- Born into the Mahar caste, considered untouchable, Ambedkar experienced significant socio-economic discrimination in his early life.
- He was the 14th and last child of Ramji Maloji Sakpal, an army officer, and Bhimabai Sakpal.
- Ambedkar's original surname was Sakpal, but it was changed to Ambadawekar in school records, and later to Ambedkar by his teacher.
- He faced segregation and discrimination in school, being denied water and not allowed to sit inside the classroom.
- He went on to become the only untouchable enrolled at Elphinstone High School.
- He earned degrees from the University of Bombay, Columbia University (MA, PhD), and the London School of Economics (MSc, DSc).
- He also trained in law at Gray's Inn, London.
- Ambedkar was among a small number of Indian students to have earned doctorates from these institutions in the 1920s.
Opposition to Untouchability:
- Ambedkar dedicated his life to fighting against untouchability and the caste system.
- He advocated for separate electorates and reservations for untouchables and other religious communities.
- He launched public movements to open up public drinking water resources and fought for the right to enter Hindu temples.
- He publicly condemned the Manusmriti for justifying caste discrimination and led followers to ceremonially burn copies of the text.
- He led the Kalaram Temple movement, organizing a large procession to fight for the right of untouchables to enter the temple.
- He started the weekly publication Mooknayak (Leader of the Silent) to advocate for the rights of untouchables.
Political Career:
- Ambedkar was appointed Military Secretary to the Gaikwad of Baroda but had to quit due to discrimination.
- He served as a professor of political economy at Sydenham College of Commerce and Economics in Mumbai.
- He was a member of the Bombay Legislative Council and the Bombay Legislative Assembly.
- In 1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party.
- He was appointed to the Bombay Presidency Committee to work with the Simon Commission.
- He served on the Defence Advisory Committee and the Viceroy's Executive Council as minister of labour.
- He was elected to the Constituent Assembly of India.
- He served as India's first Law and Justice Minister in Jawaharlal Nehru’s cabinet.
- He resigned from Nehru's cabinet after the Hindu Code Bill was defeated in parliament.
The Poona Pact:
- Ambedkar signed the Poona Pact with Madan Mohan Malaviya, representing the depressed classes, after Mahatma Gandhi protested against a separate electorate for untouchables.
- The agreement reserved seats for the depressed classes in the Provisional legislatures within the general electorate.
Drafting of India's Constitution:
- Ambedkar chaired the Drafting Committee of the Constitution of India.
- He played a key role in drafting the constitution which outlawed discrimination against untouchables and guaranteed various civil liberties for all citizens.
- The constitution was adopted on 26 November 1949.
- He also argued for extensive economic and social rights for women and introduced a system of reservations for jobs in civil services, schools, and colleges for members of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes.
- Ambedkar expressed his disapproval of the constitution in 1953, saying that he was a "hack" and that he would be the first person to burn it out.
Economics:
- Ambedkar was the first Indian to pursue a doctorate in economics abroad.
- He argued that industrialisation and agricultural growth could enhance the Indian economy.
- He advocated for investment in agriculture and national economic development.
- He opposed income tax for low-income groups and contributed to land reform and state economic development.
- He favoured a free economy with a stable Rupee and advocated birth control to develop the Indian economy.
