Every year, April 14 marks the birth anniversary of Dr Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as Babasaheb, who dedicated his life to championing for the rights of Dalits and promoting progressive ideas. He was not only the principal architect of the Indian Constitution but also the first Indian to pursue a doctorate in Economics abroad. Babasaheb's valuable contributions in the form of the Poona Pact and his relentless fight against discrimination have left a lasting impact on Indian society. On his birth anniversary, let us remember his powerful words and continue to draw inspiration from his legacy.
Ambedkar Jayanti: Commemorating the Legacy of India's Constitutional Architect
April 14th marks the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, an iconic figure in Indian history known as Babasaheb. This day is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti in India, honoring the life and work of the man who played a pivotal role in shaping the nation.
Background:
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Central Provinces (present-day Madhya Pradesh). Despite facing discrimination as a Dalit, Ambedkar pursued his education with unwavering determination. He earned a doctorate in Economics from Columbia University and a doctorate in Law from the University of London.
Returning to India, Ambedkar became a prominent leader in the struggle for social justice. He was the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, which guaranteed fundamental rights to all citizens and abolished untouchability. Ambedkar also led the 'Poona Pact' in 1932, which reserved seats for Dalits in the legislatures.
Contributions:
Ambedkar's contributions to Indian society are immense:
Ambedkar Jayanti Celebrations:
Ambedkar Jayanti is a national holiday in India and is celebrated with great enthusiasm. People pay homage at Ambedkar's memorials and participate in rallies and processions. Cultural events and lectures are organized to commemorate his legacy.
Top 5 FAQs:
What is the significance of Ambedkar Jayanti? Ambedkar Jayanti is a day to remember the birth of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who played a pivotal role in the Indian constitution, representing the rights of Dalits and various other marginalized groups.
What were Ambedkar's most significant achievements? Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar's most significant achievements include being the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, leading the Poona Pact, and fighting against social inequality. He was also an educationist and a Buddhist revivalist.
How can we honor Ambedkar's legacy? We can honor Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar's legacy by practicing and upholding the principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity as enshrined in the Constitution. By embracing social justice and inclusivity, we can continue to build a society free from discrimination.
What are the contemporary challenges related to Ambedkar's work? Contemporary challenges related to Ambedkar's work include the persistence of caste-based discrimination, inequality, and poverty among Dalits and other marginalized communities.
How is Ambedkar Jayanti celebrated in India? Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated in India with great enthusiasm. People pay homage at Ambedkar's memorials, participate in rallies and processions, and organize cultural events and lectures to commemorate his legacy.
A clash erupted at Jama Masjid in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh after a violent incident involving firecrackers and clashes between two groups. The Imam of the mosque clarified that during Taraweeh prayers, a procession passed by creating noise which led to a Sutli bomb being thrown inside the mosque, causing panic and ultimately resulting in a violent clash. The Imam also questioned how the procession ended up in front of the mosque, sparking tensions between the two groups. Police have already filed an FIR and are investigating the incident.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah plans to introduce the Immigration and Foreigners Bill focusing on passport, visa, and registration requirements for foreigners. The session, lasting until April 4, is expected to see heated debates on issues like alleged manipulation of electoral rolls and the ongoing violence in Manipur. The opposition intends to raise concerns about duplicate Electoral Photo Identity Card numbers, potentially leading to a confrontation.
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin took a strong stance against Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for insulting Tamil Nadu MPs and the people of the state during a parliamentary session. Stalin questioned Pradhan’s audacity to call Tamil Nadu MPs ‘uncivilised’ and shared a copy of Pradhan’s letter acknowledging Tamil Nadu’s rejection of the National Education Policy and the trilingual policy. The ongoing conflict between Tamil Nadu and the BJP-led Centre over the implementation of the NEP and the trilingual policy has sparked sharp criticism from Stalin, emphasizing the state’s determination to act in favor of its people rather than obeying the diktats of Nagpur.
Violence broke out in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh after an alleged attack on a crowd celebrating India's win in the Champions Trophy 2025. Stones were reportedly thrown and clashes ensued between two groups, leading to arson and fire in different areas. Police were forced to resort to cane charging and tear gas to control the situation, which led to panic and chaos in the town. No casualties have been reported and officials are advising people to maintain peace.
The second part of the Parliament Budget Session began today, with a clash between the Opposition and the government over the National Education Policy in Tamil Nadu. The government is pushing for the passage of the Waqf Amendment Bill, which may further add tension to the already heated session. Parliament will also be discussing the imposition of President's rule in Manipur, with a response from Union Home Minister Amit Shah expected during the third week of March. Follow live updates of the ongoing session here.
The ongoing debate over the National Education Policy and its three-language formula has sparked tensions between the Centre and Tamil Nadu, with Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan publicly criticizing the DMK for their stance on the issue. However, Pradhan's choice of words, which were deemed offensive, were later withdrawn and removed from official records. The language war has caused unrest and raised concerns about the future of students in Tamil Nadu.
Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Mohan Yadav expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi for designating the state's Madhav National Park as India's 58th and MP's 9th tiger reserve. The CM highlighted the state's commitment to wildlife conservation and efforts to promote sustainable tourism. With Madhya Pradesh's rich biodiversity and high population of tigers, the new Madhav Tiger Reserve is set to become a major attraction for wildlife lovers.
DMK MP Kanimozhi has taken action against Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan for using derogatory language towards Tamil Nadu government in regards to the implementation of the National Education Policy. She has stated that the Minister's statements are false and malicious and have tarnished the image of Tamil Nadu and its political representatives. Kanimozhi has called for appropriate action to be taken against Pradhan for his conduct in the House.
A victory rally in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, to celebrate India's ICC Champions Trophy win turned violent when a group of cricket enthusiasts allegedly started pelting stones near the Jama Masjid area. This led to the escalation of violence and the burning of two stores and several vehicles. Police are currently investigating the incident, using CCTV footage and mobile videos to identify the perpetrators and take strict actions against them.
The Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called out the DMK-led government in Tamil Nadu for changing their stance on implementing the centrally-sponsored PM-SHRI scheme, accusing them of prioritizing politics over the welfare of students. Pradhan urged the state government to join the program, assuring that the medium of instruction would still be Tamil. The heated exchange between the two parties sparked off protests and a walkout in parliament and across Tamil Nadu. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin called out the Union Minister for his arrogant and insulting language, demanding he control his tongue.