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B. R. Ambedkar: Architect of India's Constitution

B. R. Ambedkar was an influential Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India and served as the Law and Justice minister in Nehru's cabinet. Born on April 14, 1891, he faced discrimination due to his untouchable status, which fueled his activism against untouchability and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement. Ambedkar's significant contributions include the Poona Pact of 1932 and his leadership in shaping India's constitutional framework upon independence in 1947.

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7 views5 pages

B. R. Ambedkar: Architect of India's Constitution

B. R. Ambedkar was an influential Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer who played a key role in drafting the Constitution of India and served as the Law and Justice minister in Nehru's cabinet. Born on April 14, 1891, he faced discrimination due to his untouchable status, which fueled his activism against untouchability and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement. Ambedkar's significant contributions include the Poona Pact of 1932 and his leadership in shaping India's constitutional framework upon independence in 1947.

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B. R.

Ambedkar

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar (Bhīmrāo Rāmjī Āmbēḍkar; 14 April 1891 – 6


December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and
political leader who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution
of India based on the debates of the Constituent Assembly of India and
the first draft of Sir Benegal Narsing Rau.[1][2][3][4][5] Ambedkar served as La
w and Justice minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. He later
renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism, inspiring the Dalit Budd
hist movement .[6]
Early life and
education
Ambedkar was born on 14th April 1891 in the town and military
cantonment of Mhow (now officially known as Dr Ambedkar Nagar, Madhy
a Pradesh ).[11] He was the 14th and last child of Ramji Maloji Sakpal, an
army officer who held the rank of Subedar, and Bhimabai Sakpal,
daughter of Laxman Murbadkar.[12] His family was of Marathi background
from the town of Ambadawe (Mandangad taluka) in Ratnagiri district of
modern-day Maharashtra. Ambedkar's ancestors had long worked for the
army of the British East India Company, and his father served in the Britis
h Indian Army at the Mhow cantonment.[13]
Opposition to
untouchability
As Ambedkar was educated by the Princely State of Baroda, he was
bound to serve it. He was appointed Military Secretary to the Gaikwad
but had to quit in a short time. He described the incident in his
autobiography, Waiting for a Visa.[32] Thereafter, he tried to find ways to
make a living for his growing family. He worked as a private tutor, as an
accountant, and established an investment consulting business, but it
failed when his clients learned that he was an untouchable. [33] In 1918,
he became professor of political economy in the Sydenham College of Co
mmerce and Economics in Mumbai. Although he was successful with the
students, other professors objected to his sharing a drinking-water jug
with them.[34]
Poona Pact
In 1932, the British colonial government announced the formation of a
separate electorate for "Depressed Classes" in the Communal Award. Mah
atma Gandhi fiercely opposed a separate electorate for untouchables,
saying he feared that such an arrangement would divide the Hindu
community.[48][49][50] Gandhi protested by fasting while imprisoned in the Y
erwada Central Jail of Poona. Following the fast, congressional
politicians and activists such as Madan Mohan Malaviya and Palwankar Bal
oo organised joint meetings with Ambedkar and his supporters at
Yerwada.[51] On 25 September 1932, the agreement, known as the Poona
Pact was signed between Ambedkar (on behalf of the depressed classes
among Hindus) and Madan Mohan Malaviya (on behalf of the other
Hindus).
India's Constitution
Upon India's independence on 15 August 1947, the new prime minister Ja
waharlalinvited
Nehru Ambedkar to serve as the Dominion of India's Law
Minister ; two weeks later, he was appointed Chairman of the Drafting
Committee of the Constitution for the future Republic of India.
On 25 November 1949, Ambedkar in his concluding speech in constituent
assembly said:[75]
"The credit that is given to me does not really belong to me. It belongs
partly to Sir B.N. Rau the Constitutional Advisor to the Constituent
Assembly who prepared a rough draft of the Constitution for the
consideration of the Drafting Committee."[76]

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