Ambedkar: Visionary, leader, jurist
Bar&Bench News Network
Apr 14, 2010
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891 in Madhya Pradesh to
parents who belonged to the untouchable Mahar caste. From a very young
age, Ambedkar had endured enormous hardships due to the severe caste
practices prevalent in the Hindu religion.
Although born to an untouchable schoolteacher in the British Army,
Ambedkar was highly educated; a Ph.D. from Columbia University (1927),
D.Sc. from London School of Economics and Bar-At-Law from Gray's Inn
in London (1923).
Ambedkar returned to India and established himself in Bombay, built up
his legal practice, taught in law colleges and universities and also
started a newspaper. In 1935, he was appointed as the principal of the
Government Law College, a position that he held for two years. In
1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party and in 1942 he
founded the Scheduled Caste Federation for the independent political
assertion of Dalits.
In 1947 India achieved independence and Prime Minister Nehru appointed
Ambedkar as the first Law Minister. Despite his unpopularity and
criticisms, Ambedkar was also appointed Chairman of the Drafting
Committee for the Constitution of India and played the central role in
its drafting. February 1948, he presented the Draft Constitution that
was adopted in November 1949 with all its 356 articles.
As the Law Minister, Ambedkar fought vigorously for the passage of the
Hindu Code Bill, one of the most significant legislation for women's
right in respect of marriage and inheritance. He resigned in September
1951 when the Bill did not pass in the Parliament.
Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956. In 1990, he was posthumously
honoured with India's highest national award, "Bharat Ratna". His
teachings and writings have continued to influence a vast number of
followers.
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