Happy New Year 2009

Happy Year 2009
Dr.B.R.Ambedkar And His People

Happy New Year

Happy New Year

Dr.B.R.Ambedkar And His People

Thus Spoke Ambedkar : Quotations of Dr. Ambedkar

On 26th Jan. 1950,India will be an independent country. What would happen to her independence? Will she maintain or will she lose it again? This is the first thought that comes to my mind.It is not that India was never an independent country. The point is that she once lost the independence she had. Will she lose it a second time? It is this thought which makes makes me most anxious for the future. What perturbs me greatly is the fact that not only India has once beforelost her independence, but she lost it by treachery of some of her own people...
Will history repeat itself ?It is this thought which fills me with anxiety. This anxiety is deepened by the realization of the fact that in addition to our old enemies in the form of castes &creeds, we are going to have many political parties with diverse & opposing political creeds. Will Indians place the country above their creed or creed above their country? I do not know, But this much is certain that if the parties place creed above country, our independence will be put in jeopardy a second time & probably be lost forever. This eventuality we all must resolutely guard against. We must be determined to defend our independence with the last drop of our blood!

Quotations of Dr. Ambedkar

Ambedkar’s squabbling children

DHARMENDRA JORE
Posted: Apr 02, 2004 at 0000 hrs IST



MUMBAI It's time to feel the Republican blues in Maharashtra. In the state where Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar started the Dalit movement in the late 40s, the Republican Party of India (RPI) forum—now split into over 10 factions (at last count)—is still a force to reckon with. The unified RPI can do a Uttar Pradesh in Maharashtra if a sizeable chunk of 38 per cent OBCs favour it.

Their fixed vote-bank—Buddhists (6.39 per cent)—and a large chunk of the SCs (11.09 per cent) will certainly make its task easier.

However, given their individual records of being fickle, key figures from within the community will make alliance-building a tricky task for the big parties.

The Congress and the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) have been successful in keeping the ‘three musketeers’—R S Gavai, Ramdas Athavale (sitting MP from Pandharpur) and Jogendra Kawade with them. The trio, who represent three different factions, have now rallied together under one umbrella—the Republican Federation—to forge a Congress-NCP-RPI front.

In its unified avatar, the RPI had won four seats in the 1998 elections from the general category. ‘‘We are confident of repeating our performance,’’ Gavai told The Indian Express in a telephone interview from Amravati, the seat in Vidarbha he contested and lost last time. His current ally Kawade too had lost. Athavale was the only RPI representative to reach Lok Sabha in 1999.

However, it is the fourth and foremost of them all, Prakash Ambedkar, the sitting MP from Akola (another general segment), who holds the key, perhaps wielding more influence by virtue of being the grandson of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar. Ambedkar, who broke away from the unified RPI and Congress-NCP, has floated the Bharatiya Republican Party-Bahujan Mahasangh.

This time Ambedkar kept Congressmen waiting when the Akola seat was ‘offered’ to him. But he did not entertain the BJP. ‘‘I did not approach them. And why should I join them when I’m able win on my own,’’ Ambedkar said, speaking from Akola. Having won four assembly seats (apart from his own Lok Sabha seat) last time, he is the man who could be the deciding factor.

But Ambedkar holds a grudge against Congress as it had lured three of his MLAs into its fold during the Vilasrao Deshmukh regime.

‘‘We are fighting the election on issues,’’ said Ambedkar, who believes the Republican party was never the party of Buddhists alone. ‘‘We are people from all castes and religions.’’

Gavai, however, refuses to buy Ambedkar’s argument and blames him for placing his own interests above the broad RPI agenda. Gavai says Ambedkar has prevented the various factions from rallying together under a common banner.

‘‘Everybody knows he (Ambedkar) is a vote-eater. He’s more interested in satisfying his own ego than working for a common cause.’’

Apart from the Congress-NCP combine, the BJP too has been looking for some convenient alliances amidst this mess. Its soft corner for Prakash Ambedkar is a well-known fact.

‘‘The RPI leaders may not be with us physically but the masses are with us,’’ said State BJP chief Gopinath Munde, who is trying hard to take the party to OBCs and Dalit leaders and masses alike.

A Scene from Ambedkar

This is a scene from the movie,Ambedkar which had won Mammootty National Award for Best Actor. The scene depicts the harassments Ambedkar had to undergo as he was a low caste.

Bahujan Samaj Party of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

Bahujan Samaj Party is considered as one of the foremost national political parties in India with socialist leanings. At the time of its formation, the party was established with the aim of representing Bahujans (BC, SC, ST & Minorities), who are believed by few to be at the bottom of the Indian caste system. The ideology of Bahujan Samaj Party, `Dalit Socialism`, is enthused from the philosophy of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (father of the contitution). Keeping these ideologies in mind the high-profile charismatic leader Kanshi Ram established the Bahujan Samaj Party In 1984.

Elephant is the official party symbol of the BSP. It is mainly based in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh. The party has formed state government in its native state a number of times. BSP had 14 members out of 545 members in the 13th Lok Sabha (1999-2004), wherein the membership raised to 19 in the 14th Lok Sabha. This is testimony of the surging popularity of the party. After Kansi Ram, the post of the president is presently adorned by Mayawati Kumari. Mayawati is associated with the party for a long period of time.

BSP established itself the single majority party from the year 1991, after the state assembly election held on 11th May 2007. It took 15 years for BSP to win a clean-sweep in India`s most populated state, Uttar Pradesh. Bahujan Samaj Party became the single largest party with 206 seats out of 403 seats in the state assembly. Mayawati, President of the party, became the new Chief Minister of UP for the 4th term. Along with 50 ministers (cabinet and state rank) she took oath as the chief minister at Rajbhawan in the state capital Lucknow. The party also has a student wing namely, BSSF-Bahujan Samaj Students Forum. Bahujan Samaj Party also have their own publication called- Adil Jafri and Mayayug. The post of general secretary is held by

B.r. Ambedkar:a Crusader For Equality - by H D Sharma

B.r. Ambedkar:a Crusader For Equality

Born an untouchable in a caste ridden Hindu society, he is revered for his ceaseless struggle for equality and justice.
H.D. Sharma was educated in the Universities of Punjab, Delhi and Michigan. He was the recipient of the prestigious Fulbright scholarship twice. He has worked as a librarian and taught library science in universities in India and abroad. He has also authored or edited a number of books.

Ambedkar Jayanti Architect of Indian Constitution and also known as Father of Indian Constitution...

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar or simply B.R. Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891 at MHOW (Military Headquarter of War) in Madhya Pradesh. He was the architect of Indian Constitution and is also known as the “Father of Indian Constitution”. He had dedicated his entire life for the upliftment of the deprived section of the society. Hence many Indians and even people from other countries revere him as a great social reformer. He also played a significant role in India’s freedom struggle.

Dr. Ambedkar was one of the first 'untouchables' to obtain a college education in India. He went on to United States and England to pursue higher studies, where he earned a law degree and multiple doctorates for his study and research in law, economics and political science. Returning home as a famous scholar, Ambedkar practiced law for a few years before he began publishing journals advocating political rights and social freedom for India's untouchables.

Dr. Ambedkar spent his life fighting against the system of untouchability and the caste system. He is also credited for having sparked the Dalit Buddhist movement. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution for the independent India; he was also the first Law Minister of India. He was honored with Bharat Ratna in 1990, India's highest civilian award. The day 14th April is celebrated all over the country as his birthday (Jayanti) and it is also a public holiday.

Various Dalit organizations carry out huge processions on this day in the memory of this great soul. On this very day various organizations organize several activities including rally and cultural programs. Dalit Melas are held in various parts of the country. Ambedkar Jayantyi is observed both in government and private organizations. Prayers, meetings and memorial speeches are organized in various state capitals.

Baba Ambedkar’s jayanti Call to work for socio-economic justice

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 14: Dr B R Ambedkar’s 108th Jayanti was celebrated today with great enthusiasm and fervour under the aegis of Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy at different places. Floral tributes were paid to him at the statue of of Baba Saheb Ambedkar at Ambedkar Chowk here this morning by political leaders, prominent citizens and people from all walks of life.

The main function was held at Bharatiya Dalit Sahitya Akademy, Roop Nagar, Jammu which was presided over by Babu Parmanand, former Speaker and the State president of the Akademy.

Various speakers belonging to political parties, social, literary and other organisations highlighted the proud achievements and teachings of Baba Saheb Ambedkar. His untiring efforts for the poor, exploited, depressed and down-trodden were recalled at the function.

His monumental contribution is framing of Indian Constitution based on the equality before law, liberty and fraternity. This unique document has adopted the concept of justice—social, political and economic— for all citizens irrespective of caste, creed, colour or sex. Baba Saheb, who was architect of this Constitution, will be remembered for generations to come.

All speakers emphasised that dreams of this great son of India should be translated into reality by working for socio-economic justice.

Prominent persons who paid tributes to Baba Saheb Ambedkar at the function included: Babu Parmanand, Mr Mangat Ram Sharma, ex-M P; B R Kundal, Chairman, State Recruitment Board; Mr R K Handa, Vice-Chairman, Jammu Development Authority; Mr Hamidullah Khan, ex-Advisor; Mr B L Bharti, Maj-Gen (retd) Goverdhan Singh Jamwal, MLC; Messrs Udhay Chand, Charan Dass, KC Bhagat, Mulk Raj, Kashmir Singh.

Also those who spoke on life and works of Bharat Ratna Dr B R Ambedkar at Akademy were Ch. Piara Singh, Mr Bali Bhagat (both MLAs) and numerous others.

A grand procession was also taken out in the city stressing the message of brotherhood as also social equality and economic justice to all citizen.

Poets paid their homage to Baba Saheb by recitation of poems and a programme of music was presented by some cultural parties.

Blankets and cloth were distributed among the poor and needy people. Jammu and Kashmir Bank donated 30sewing machines which were given to needy women for their to enable them earn their livelihood. Babu Parmanand thanked the Bank authorities for this goodwill gesture.

A resolution passed at the gathering impressed upon the Government to implement the provisions of the Constitution for equality and justice to all citizens. Another resolution expressed thanks to the Prime Minister for declaring that reservation would be extended by another ten years and removing disparities.

Babu Parmanand announced that the construction work of the Dalit Sahitya Akademy will be resumed soon. He said that a blood donation camp was also organised.

All India Conferation of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Organisation took out a peaceful procession (shobha yatra) through the main areas of the Jammu city starting from Guru Ravi Dass Temple, Krishan Nagar to Ambedkar Chowk.

Understanding Dr. B. R. Ambedkar By Eleanor Zelliot, Carleton College (July 2008)

Abstract

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also called Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in affection and respect, was born in 1891 in a Mahar Untouchable family and died in 1956 after a lifetime of service to his people and to India. His influence has spread throughout India and his image, a Western-dressed gentleman pointing to the future and carrying a book, is found in many villages and all cities. The book represents the Constitution of independent India. His followers know the facts of his life and are so reverential that one right wing critic called him a ‘false God’. The word now used broadly for Untouchables, Tribals, and other low castes and classes is ‘Dalit’, which means ground down, but began a proud use in the 1970s with a literary movement called ‘Dalit Sahitya’, made famous at first by the ‘Dalit Panthers’ named in reference to the militant American ‘Black Panthers’. Like the word ‘Black’, it can be a source of controversy today. The term coined by Mohandas K. Gandhi, ‘Harijan’ or people of God, was resented by Ambedkar as patronizing, and the two also clashed over the idea of separate electorates for untouchables; Gandhi's win is still resented by some as depriving Dalits of their chosen leaders. Dr. Ambedkar's influence may be seen in literature, in educational and political institutions, in a massive Buddhist conversion, and in increased pride and self-confidence among Dalits.

Understanding Dr. B. R. Ambedkar By Eleanor Zelliot, Carleton College (July 2008)

Abstract

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also called Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in affection and respect, was born in 1891 in a Mahar Untouchable family and died in 1956 after a lifetime of service to his people and to India. His influence has spread throughout India and his image, a Western-dressed gentleman pointing to the future and carrying a book, is found in many villages and all cities. The book represents the Constitution of independent India. His followers know the facts of his life and are so reverential that one right wing critic called him a ‘false God’. The word now used broadly for Untouchables, Tribals, and other low castes and classes is ‘Dalit’, which means ground down, but began a proud use in the 1970s with a literary movement called ‘Dalit Sahitya’, made famous at first by the ‘Dalit Panthers’ named in reference to the militant American ‘Black Panthers’. Like the word ‘Black’, it can be a source of controversy today. The term coined by Mohandas K. Gandhi, ‘Harijan’ or people of God, was resented by Ambedkar as patronizing, and the two also clashed over the idea of separate electorates for untouchables; Gandhi's win is still resented by some as depriving Dalits of their chosen leaders. Dr. Ambedkar's influence may be seen in literature, in educational and political institutions, in a massive Buddhist conversion, and in increased pride and self-confidence among Dalits.

Understanding Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

ABSTRACT
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, also called Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in affection and respect, was born in 1891 in a Mahar Untouchable family and died in 1956 after a lifetime of service to his people and to India. His influence has spread throughout India and his image, a Western-dressed gentleman pointing to the future and carrying a book, is found in many villages and all cities. The book represents the Constitution of independent India. His followers know the facts of his life and are so reverential that one right wing critic called him a 'false God'. The word now used broadly for Untouchables, Tribals, and other low castes and classes is 'Dalit', which means ground down, but began a proud use in the 1970s with a literary movement called 'Dalit Sahitya', made famous at first by the 'Dalit Panthers' named in reference to the militant American 'Black Panthers'. Like the word 'Black', it can be a source of controversy today. The term coined by Mohandas K. Gandhi, 'Harijan' or people of God, was resented by Ambedkar as patronizing, and the two also clashed over the idea of separate electorates for untouchables; Gandhi's win is still resented by some as depriving Dalits of their chosen leaders. Dr. Ambedkar's influence may be seen in literature, in educational and political institutions, in a massive Buddhist conversion, and in increased pride and self-confidence among Dalits.

DR. B.R. AMBEDKAR :- Architect of Indian Constitution

Dr. Ambedkar was the main architect of the Indian Constitution. He was born in a very poor low caste family of Madhya Pradesh. In U.S.A., he did his M.A. in 1915 and Ph.D. in 1916. From 1918 to 1920, he worked as a Professor of Law. Dr. Ambedkar set up his legal practice at the Mumbai High Court.

Ambedkar was the main inspiration behind the inclusion of special provision in the Constitution of India
for the development of Schedule Caste people. Dr. Ambedkar was the Law Minister of India from 1947 to 1951. He took part in the Satyagraha of untouchables at Nasik in 1930 for opening the Hindu temples to them.

Dr. Ambedkar was emancipator of the 'untouchables' and crusader for social justice. This liberator of the down trodden was affectionately called "Babasaheb". He was posthumously awarded 'Bharat Ratna' in the year 1990.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar : Man of Millennium for Social Justice

This book discusses the assumption that Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Chief Architect of Constitution of India, is the man of millennium for social justice, in the sense that he became the deliverer of or the Messiah of the Dalits, the erstwhile untouchables, Other Backward Classes (OBCs), and women, constituting 95% of Hindu population. That big segment of population had been forced to live at a sub-human level from time immemorial, under caste system, sanctioned by Hindu scriptures.
First installment of human rights to the most wretched section was caused to be given by Ambedkar in 1932, through Poona Pact signed between him on behalf of Dalits and Madan Mohan Malviya, on behalf of Hindus. He completed the remaining job through Constitution of India of which he became the Chief architect.
Another assumption is that the scope of freedom struggle led by Mahatma Gandhi, Father of Nation, and his Congress was limited to the objective of securing transfer of power to only upper castes, on the pattern of Hindu scriptures, and therefore they had barred the social questions from being raised on Congress platform.
Final assumption is that Ambedkar is the man of millennium for social justice, since he was the first man in history to successfully lead a tirade of securing social justice to the vast sections of Indian humanity, with the help of a law, which practically repealed the concerned portions of Hindu scriptures.
Contents: Preface. I. Preliminary: 1. Bug man of millennium. II. Search for greatest of the great: 2. Search for greatest of the great. 3. Test of greatness. 4. Test of vilification : tie between Gandhi and Ambedkar. 5. Difference between vilification of Gandhi and Ambedkar. III. Planning strategy against Ambedkar: 6. Vicariously hitting real targets. 7. When reason has to face the unreasonable. 8. Choosing time of attack on Ambedkar. 9. One adversary made measuring rod for another. IV. Media reaction for and against vilification: 10. Politically incorrect hand granade tossed. 11. Dalits need another struggle for freedom. 12. Wildly polemic and incorrect campaign of vilification. 13. Bringing order in house of disorder. V. Ambedkar-haters in dock: 14. Wages of Ambedkar Bashing. 15. Unseemly tool of Hindu fundamentalists. 16. Arun Shourie and Nathuram Godse : a comparison. VI. Ambedkar search for alternatives: 17. Ambedkar on Hindu attitude to problem of caste. 18. Ambedkar on annihilation of caste. 19. Ambedkar on Shakti and Kaliyuga. 20. Ambedkar's search for alternative to Varnavyavastha. VII. Ambedkar and Hindu traditionalists: 21. Mind of Ambedkar. 22. Unexplained silence over Ambedkar's analysis of scriptures. 23. Kaamdhenu : Permanent Bone of contention. VIII. Ambedkar and social justice: 24. Social justice in India and plight of weaker sections. 25. First organised attempt for restoring social justice. 26. Gandhi and social justice. 27. Communism and social justice. 28. Ambedkar and social justice. IX. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar man of millennium for social justice: 29. Nation's appreciation for Ambedkar. 30. Ambedkar in eyes of contemporary celebrities. 31. Ambedkar in Hindu mythological context. 32. B.R. Ambedkar : India's man of millennium for social justice. Conclusion. Bibliography. Index.

Ambedkar – A Life Devoted To Uplifting The Oppressed

On 26th November 1949 the constitution of India was approved by the Constituent Assembly. Ambedkar’s next move was to introduce a Hindu Code Bill with the support of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, but the bill had to be withdrawn on being opposed vehemently by the Hindu members. And consequent to the debates on it, Ambedkar resigned from the Union Cabinet. He contested for the Lok Sabha (Lower House of the Indian Parliament) in the elections of 1952, but could not make it. But he was elected to the Rajya Sabha, the upper house. He contested for the Lok Sabha again, in 1954, but was defeated.

On 14th of October 1956 Bhim Rao Ambedkar, the architect of India’s Constitution embraced Buddhism along with thousands of his followers at Nagpur. HE died in the night of December 1956.

His important works: The Untouchables, The Buddha and Karl Marx, Revolution and Counter Revolution in India, The Buddha and his Dharma. The writings of Dr. Ambedkar have been published later in several volumes. He is being venerated all over India as the greatest champion of the causes for India’s constitutionally scheduled castes and tribes or the Dalits as they are called now.

The Ambedkar Death Anniv Headache

By: Varun Singh Date: 2008-12-06

As the city gears up to celebrate Dr B R Ambedkar's 52nd death anniversary today, residents of Shivaji Park have barricaded their buildings and will remain locked up for most part of the day. Some residents have even moved base temporarily to far-flung suburbs for the day.

They have no option, say residents thanks to the followers of Babasaheb Ambedkar, who have begun pouring in from across the country to pay tribute the great leader. The gathering, as usual, will be held at the Chaityabhoomi at Shivaji Park.

According to residents, the huge crowd that congregates in the area makes a huge ruckus and leaves behind a mess. R R Iyer a resident of Asha building, said that most of his neighbours have already moved out. "The noise is unbearable. People defecate all over the park and it's impossible for residents to walk in the area," said Iyer.

Puja Patke, is camping with relatives at Borivli. "It's impossible to stay in Shivaji Park on December 6. The roads are filled with people, and you will find somebody urinating at every other place here," said Puja.

Varsha Bole is more stoic. She has taken leave from work and plans to hold fort at home. "The entire area is packed with people from the previous night. It's impossible to venture out. It's an unofficial holiday for most residents of Shivaji Park," said Varsha. Shop owner Uday Chavan, visits Shirdi on this day. "My shop is closed on December 6, and I take the opportunity to go for a religious trip," he said.

Remembering Dr. Ambedkar - By R. M. Pal

Remembering Dr. Ambedkar

By R. M. Pal
For some years now all the political parties have been celebrating 14 April -Dr. Ambedkar's birthday - in a big way; for most of them it is a ritual. This year too they performed the ritual.

Some of the major parties indulge in unalloyed hypocrisy in that they do two things simultaneously. One, their think tanks attack Dr. Ambedkar mercilessly; they are very angry that there are more statues of Dr. Ambedkar than that of Gandhiji, and that, too, of a larger size; angry because Dr. Ambedkar is called the father/architect of the Indian Constitution. They are dismissive of the perpetual suffering and unequal status of the depressed section of our population and Dr. Ambedkar's fight for their right to be human. Two, on 14 April the leaders garland Dr. Ambedkar' s "over-sized" statues, hail him as the architect of the Constitution and as one who sowed the seeds of social democracy and social equality.

The think tank - the 'ideologues' of 'patriotic' political formations - shed crocodile tears over Ambedkar's disagreement with Gandhiji on a number of issues. They, however, conveniently forget what Gandhiji thought of Ambedkar: "If Ambedkar does not break our heads, it is an act of self-restraint on his part. Dr. Ambedkar has had to suffer humiliations and insults which should make any one of us bitter and resentful. Had I been in his place, I would have been as angry. We shall be unfit to gain swaraj so long as we keep in bondage a fifth of the population. In the history of world religions there is perhaps nothing like our treatment of the suppressed classes. Caste Hindu well-wishers of untouchables have no right to speak for them."

Dr. Ambedkar was a revolutionary, rationalist-humanist, human rights intellectual-activist, a man who looked ahead of his time. He wondered "why the Hindus having traditions of charity and humanity - their regard for animal life -should behave so heartlessly towards their fellow human beings and in such unreasonable ways. The Hindu community is set in the steel frame of the caste system, in which one caste is lower than another in social gradation involving particular privileges, rights, inhibition and disabilities with regard to each caste. This system has created vested interests which depend upon maintaining the inequalities resulting from the system". He, therefore, "unfurled the banner of equality". He was not satisfied with the abolition of untouchability only, leaving the caste system along with "the inequalities inherent in the system". Dr. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism because the Buddhist dharma is based on scientific reasoning, it seeks to achieve human freedom, equality, liberty and fraternity. According to him Buddhism is the only religion which does not sanctify poverty and inequality: nirvana is the way "to remove injustice and inhumanity that man does to man." Buddha taught "social freedom, intellectual freedom, and political freedom. He taught equality, equality not between man and man only but between man and woman. His concern was to give salvation to man in his life on earth, and not to promise it to him in heaven after he is dead".

Many progressives whisper that Dr. Ambedkar accepted a cabinet post in Pandit Nehru's government because he wanted, political, power. Like all political leaders he too wanted power, but unlike most of them he accepted a cabinet post to empower those who have remained depressed and deprived for centuries. But for him the progressive provisions in the Constitution might not have been incorporated. He devoted his whole life to the cause of human rights of the depressed; his mission in life was. to restore human dignity to those who have been victims of an ugly and unjust hierarchical social order which gave rise to injustice and ,inequality. "My hear breaks", he said, "to see the pitiable sight of your faces and hear your sad voices". To the Hindus he said. "If you say that Hindu religion is our religion, then your right and ours must be equal. But is this the case?" Dr. Ambedkar fought a relentless battle against this social order and was one of the very few Indian leaders who was forthright, and called a spade a spade: "I hate all injustice, tyranny, pompousness and humbug". Dr. Ambedkar believed that if he succeeded in his struggle - struggle for a just social order - it will prove a blessing for all Indians, not merely any group or community. He wanted the dominating section of our people to adopt a strong position against the hierarchical social order. Regrettably, not many have taken a position.

Dr. Ambedkar will be remembered for all time to come as the architect of the Indian Constitution, specially for the Fundamental Rights and Directive Principles Chapters which, aim at eradicating "all injustice and tyranny" and ushering in social democracy and social equality. He was however, disappointed that the dominating section of our society did not rise to the occasion and did not water the plants that he had planted. Our political rulers have failed Ambedkar and his vision. It is now for human rights groups and grassroots activists to make social democracy and equality a way of life in the absence of which political democracy will always stand on a shaky foundation. (21 April, 2000)

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Biography

Born: April 14, 1891
Died: December 6, 1956
Achievements: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was elected as the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly to draft a constitution for the independent India; he was the first Law Minister of India; conferred Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar is viewed as messiah of dalits and downtrodden in India. He was the chairman of the drafting committee that was constituted by the Constituent Assembly in 1947 to draft a constitution for the independent India. He played a seminal role in the framing of the constitution. Bhimrao Ambedkar was also the first Law Minister of India. For his yeoman service to the nation, B.R. Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna in 1990.

Dr.Bhimrao Ambedkar was bornDr. B.R. Ambedkar on April 14, 1891 in Mhow (presently in Madhya Pradesh). He was the fourteenth child of Ramji and Bhimabai Sakpal Ambavedkar. B.R. Ambedkar belonged to the "untouchable" Mahar Caste. His father and grandfather served in the British Army. In those days, the government ensured that all the army personnel and their children were educated and ran special schools for this purpose. This ensured good education for Bhimrao Ambedkar, which would have otherwise been denied to him by the virtue of his caste.

Bhimrao Ambedkar experienced caste discrimination right from the childhood. After his retirement, Bhimrao's father settled in Satara Maharashtra. Bhimrao was enrolled in the local school. Here, he had to sit on the floor in one corner in the classroom and teachers would not touch his notebooks. In spite of these hardships, Bhimrao continued his studies and passed his Matriculation examination from Bombay University with flying colours in 1908. Bhim Rao Ambedkar joined the Elphinstone College for further education. In 1912, he graduated in Political Science and Economics from Bombay University and got a job in Baroda.

In 1913, Bhimrao Ambedkar lost his father. In the same year Maharaja of Baroda awarded scholarship to Bhim Rao Ambedkar and sent him to America for further studies. Bhimrao reached New York in July 1913. For the first time in his life, Bhim Rao was not demeaned for being a Mahar. He immersed himself in the studies and attained a degree in Master of Arts and a Doctorate in Philosophy from Columbia University in 1916 for his thesis "National Dividend for India: A Historical and Analytical Study." From America, Dr.Ambedkar proceeded to London to study economics and political science. But the Baroda government terminated his scholarship and recalled him back.

The Maharaja of Baroda appointed Dr. Ambedkar as his political secretary. But no one would take orders from him because he was a Mahar. Bhimrao Ambedkar returned to Bombay in November 1917. With the help of Shahu Maharaj of Kolhapur, a sympathizer of the cause for the upliftment of the depressed classes, he started a fortnightly newspaper, the "Mooknayak" (Dumb Hero) on January 31, 1920. The Maharaja also convened many meetings and conferences of the "untouchables" which Bhimrao addressed. In September 1920, after accumulating sufficient funds, Ambedkar went back to London to complete his studies. He became a barrister and got a Doctorate in science.

After completing his studies in London, Ambedkar returned to India. In July 1924, he founded the Bahishkrit Hitkaraini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association). The aim of the Sabha was to uplift the downtrodden socially and politically and bring them to the level of the others in the Indian society. In 1927, he led the Mahad March at the Chowdar Tank at Colaba, near Bombay, to give the untouchables the right to draw water from the public tank where he burnt copies of the 'Manusmriti' publicly.

In 1929, Ambedkar made theDr. B.R. Ambedkar controversial decision to co-operate with the all-British Simon Commission which was to look into setting up a responsible Indian Government in India. The Congress decided to boycott the Commission and drafted its own version of a constitution for free India. The Congress version had no provisions for the depressed classes. Ambedkar became more skeptical of the Congress's commitment to safeguard the rights of the depressed classes.

When a separate electorate was announced for the depressed classes under Ramsay McDonald 'Communal Award', Gandhiji went on a fast unto death against this decision. Leaders rushed to Dr. Ambedkar to drop his demand. On September 24, 1932, Dr. Ambedkar and Gandhiji reached an understanding, which became the famous Poona Pact. According to the pact the separate electorate demand was replaced with special concessions like reserved seats in the regional legislative assemblies and Central Council of States.

Dr. Ambedkar attended all the three Round Table Conferences in London and forcefully argued for the welfare of the "untouchables". Meanwhile, British Government decided to hold provincial elections in 1937. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar set up the "Independent Labor Party" in August 1936 to contest the elections in the Bombay province. He and many candidates of his party were elected to the Bombay Legislative Assembly.

In 1937, Dr. Ambedkar introduced a Bill to abolish the "khoti" system of land tenure in the Konkan region, the serfdom of agricultural tenants and the Mahar "watan" system of working for the Government as slaves. A clause of an agrarian bill referred to the depressed classes as "Harijans," or people of God. Bhimrao was strongly opposed to this title for the untouchables. He argued that if the "untouchables" were people of God then all others would be people of monsters. He was against any such reference. But the Indian National Congress succeeded in introducing the term Harijan. Ambedkar felt bitter that they could not have any say in what they were called.

In 1947, when India became independent, the first Prime Minister Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, invited Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who had been elected as a Member of the Constituent Assembly from Bengal, to join his Cabinet as a Law Minister. The Constituent Assembly entrusted the job of drafting the Constitution to a committee and Dr. Ambedkar was elected as Chairman of this Drafting Committee. In February 1948, Dr. Ambedkar presented the Draft Constitution before the people of India; it was adopted on November 26, 1949.

In October 1948, Dr. Ambedkar submitted the Hindu Code Bill to the Constituent Assembly in an attempt to codify the Hindu law. The Bill caused great divisions even in the Congress party. Consideration for the bill was postponed to September 1951. When the Bill was taken up it was truncated. A dejected Ambedkar relinquished his position as Law Minister.

On May 24, 1956, on the occasion of Buddha Jayanti, he declared in Bombay, that he would adopt Buddhism in October. On 0ctober 14, 1956 he embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers. On December 6, 1956, Baba Saheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar died peacefully in his sleep.

Mahaparinirwan Diwas – 6th Dec

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar passed away on the 6^th December 1956. Today the nation paid tribute to the Father of the Indian Constitution.

As usual not much coverage was given by the national media, despite the gathering of Dr. Ambedkar’s followers at Chaityabhoomi, Dadar, Mumbai being one of the biggest in the country!

Here are some news clips that appeared in the internet …

Tributes paid to Ambedkar on 'Mahaparinirwan Diwas'

New Delhi | December 06, 2005 4:25:50 PM IST

http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=183029&n_date=20051206&cat=India

The Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjeee offered floral tributes at the tastefully decorated statue of Bharat Ratna Babasahib Dr. B R Ambedkar on his 50th Mahapari nirwan Diwas at a function on the lawns of Parliament House this morning.

Other prominent leaders who paid floral homage to Babasahib included, the Chairperson of the National Advisory Council Sonia Gandhi, Deputy Speaker Charanjit Singh Atwal, and Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha K Rahman Khan.

Union Ministers Shiv Raj Patil, Meira Kumar, Priyaranjan Dashmunsi, Kumari Selja, Panabaka Lakshm, Chief Minister of Delhi Sheila Dixit, Former Prime Minister Shri V.P. Singh, and Former Union Minister Dr. Satyanarayan Jatiya were also offered a tribute to the Father of the Indian Constitution, Dr. Ambedkar.

Thousands of people visited the Parliament House complex since morning to pay tributes to the messiah of the marginalized and downtrodden sections of society among chanting of slogans 'Baba Sahib Amar Rahe'.

Bodh Bhikshus rendered religious songs on the occasion. (ANI)

Thousands visit Chaitya Bhoomi to pay homage to Ambedkar

Mumbai | December 06, 2005 10:45:26 PM IST

http://news.webindia123.com/news/showdetails.asp?id=183422&cat=India

Thousands of people from across the country today thronged the ''Chaitya Bhoomi'' at Dadar here to pay homage to the architect of the Indian Constitution Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his 50th death anniversary.

A large number of people from all over the country, unfailingly, visit the Chaitya Bhoomi, Dr Ambedkar's memorial, to pay homage on December six every year.

Thousands of people, waving blue flags, marched to the Shivaji Park ground.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had made elaborate arrangement for the convenience of the people at the Chaitya Bhoomi. Over 200 toilets and washing rooms were set up besides providing for water tankers and other facilities.

Remembering Dr Ambedkar
http://in.rediff.com/news/2005/dec/06look.htm

December 06, 2005

The nation today remembered Dr B R Amedkar, architect of the Indian constitution, on his 50th death anniversary.

Lok Sabha Speaker Somnath Chatterjee, UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and a number of Union Ministers paid floral tributes at a function on the lawns of Parliament house this morning, an official release said.

Members of Parliament cuttin

g across party lines and large numbers of people from different walks of life attended the Mahaparinirman function. Buddhist monks also recited from the sutras and rendered religious songs on the occasion.

Traffic grinds to halt as lakhs pay homage

DNA Correspondent, Wednesday, December 07, 2005 01:00 IST

http://dnaindia.com

Strategic junctions and roads near Dadar, Shivaji Park and Bandra witnessed massive traffic congestion as Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti was observed on Tuesday. Lakhs of followers of Dr BR Ambedkar gathered at Chaityabhoomi, Shivaji Park, to pay tributes to the architect of the Indian Constitution on his 49th death anniversary.

Over five lakh visitors conv

erged in Mumbai from across Maharashtra as well as the neighbouring states to participate in Ambedkar’s ‘Mahaparinirvan Din’ function. Policemen, numbering in thousands, were deployed near Shivaji Park. Twelve senior officers were on duty in and around Shivaji Park. The traffic department put up a number of signs at various junctions to indicate the direction of traffic.

For the convenience of Ambedkar followers, BMC authorities have set up a control room at Chaityabhoomi. A temporary fire station, 100 mobile toilets, 150 bathrooms, health centres, railway reservation counters and telephone centres have also been set up. Even railway authorities ran special trains to ferry travellers.

Dr. Ambedkar is a God to Me!

http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=December2005_inbombay_standard8432

Staff Reporter | Tue

sday, December 06, 2005 11:29:19 IST

From remote villages they come to pay homage on his death anniversary

Thirty-five year old Ram Singh is one of the many devotees of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar has come from his Gwalior to worship the architect of the Indian constitution. “I come here every year with my family to pay my respects to Babasaheb. He is my god and this is the least I can do to honour the great man.”

One of the many who are in the city to observe Dr Ambedkar’s punyatithi, Ram Singh says he prefers to stay at Gateway. Why so? “It is a good place to be but the organiser has made good arrangements for us and so we go there at night to utilise the same.” Ask him how he manages his boarding expenses whilst in the city as well as other basic necessities, Singh says, “We eat food, which we bring along with us from home. We bring edibles that will last for three to four days and if that stock is exhausted, we try to get it from some restaurant. If nothing, we go to Shivaji Park to have a meal there. We also use the toilet and bathing facilities provided to us there,” informs Singh.

In fact, arrangement have been made near the Chaitya Bhoomi for this year’s punyatithi with stalls selling Babasaheb-related memorabilia. There is literature, candles, flowers to be offered at stupa, amulets, food items and pictures too. Lakhs of people all over the country come to this Chaitya Bhoomi to offer their prayers to Babasaheb Ambedkar and visit his Samadhi at Shivaji Park. The state too has made arrangements for the devotees’ stay at Shivaji Park with proper toilets and bathing facilities. Food and water facilities are also provided from the fund raised through donation. However, many devotees spend their day at the Gateway of India while they retire for the night at the Chaitya Bhoomi.

Vijay Kumar from Nanded who comes with his family of 12 people every year, is a keen devotee of Dr Ambedkar. “I bring my entire family every year because this occasion comes once a year when I can offer prayer to Babasaheb and I don’t wan to miss it. We eat food which we bring along and use the facilities provided by government near the Chaitya Bhoomi.”

However, not all devotees bank on the services provided by the state. Some of them prefer not to use the facilities and manage on their own. Ramakant Shinde is one such followers.

Says Shinde, “I have been coming here for the past three years and I never use the facilities at Shivaji Park because the place is very crowded and moreover it’s very difficult to manage a place there.”

Shinde says he prefers to put up elsewhere and have a good outing here and get the darshan of the Samadhi, “which is the main reason that brings me here.”

Some of the devotes prepare their own food by bring along the necessity infrastructure with them. “We prepare our own food here as we cannot afford the costly dishes of restaurants in Mumbai. We bring all necessary food items with us and prepare it here,” said Laxmibai a resident of Karnataka.

Ramdin, a photographer at the Gateway said, “These people are like god to me, they come here, click pictures from us and make our day. I wish they would stay here for a longer time.”

As Babasaheb Ambedkar’s punyatithi approaches

http://www.cybernoon.com/DisplayArticle.asp?section=fromthepress&subsection=inbombay&xfile=December2005_inbombay_standard8430

Monday, December 05, 2005 9:43:2 IST

Visiting devotees look forward to city sojourn, Shivaji Park and thereabout residents await visitors’ departure..

Last year, officially 19 lakh people had gathered at Chaitya Bhoomi at Shivaji Park on December 6. This year, more crowds are expected. They are already here, in droves, come from all over and enjoying a brief sojourn in Mumbai, after December 6.

Arrangements at the Chaitya Bhoomi are nearing completion. The stalls are in place selling Babasaheb-related literature, candles, flowers to be offered at stupa, amulets, food items and photographs. While organisers are proud about this the annual function Shivaji Park’s highbrow residents have nothing but complaints to be make about the visitors.

“The state has made arrangements for their stay at Shivaji Park. They have toilets, bathing facility provided to them. The Buddhist Society of India which overlooks arrangements at the Chaitya Bhoomi, provides food and water facilities from the funds raised through donations,” said B Sangapal, in-charge at the place.

Though the crowds have already started pouring in from all over the country, as could be seen from the fact that one Bhikshu Buddha Ratna had come all the way from Uttar Pradesh and other Bhudant Budhpal had come from Akola since November 29 with the intention to stay at Chaitya Bhumi till Thursday though the actual function will be held tomorrow.

“Meeratai Ambedkar, daughter-in-law of Babasaheb, will take the Samata Sainik Dal Salute at midnight on December 5 followed by recitation of Dr Ambedkar’s teachings. After this, the stupa gates will be opened for everyone,” said Sangpal.

However, it could be only the visitors who grab the opportunity to visit the city of Mumbai. No one else is happy about the arrangements. The maintainers of the Chaitya Bhoomi are not satisfied in spite of the fact that the state provides facilities such as water, toilet and other facilities.

According to them, the brass column was done three years back when Sushilkumar Shinde was the Chief Minister but there has been no progress thereafter. The work is stagnated. Four lions and a Ashoka charka is to be put up on the column, the arc at the front is to be decorated and is to be built at the rear of the Chaitya Bhoomi and the Stupa built in 1968 by Yashwantrao alias Bhayasaheb Ambedkar in 1968 requires repairs.

“This government headed by Vilasrao Deshmukh is indifferent towards the whole thing. The CM had promised many things in the election agenda but now he says that it’s a central government issue. This is sheer cheating,” said Sangapal.

Meanwhile, for Shivaji Park residents, the week on either side of December 7, is nothing less than a nightmare, which the end of which they await anxiously. The unruly crowd not only makes the sea water dirty but they bathe on the streets, mess up Shivaji Park, eat, spit and litter the roads, wash their dirty clothes in public places.

“The place has already started stinking and this will go on for some time now. It’s a one-day function but it is a real nuisance we have to bear with,” said a resident. Another said that he wished they had found some remote place for all these functions.

Rich tributes paid to Ambedkar

http://www.andhracafe.com/index.php?m=show&id=1988

Updated: 12-06-2005 By andhracafe

People from all walks of life paid rich tributes to the architect of the constitution of India, Dr. B R Ambedkar during his 49th death anniversary today.

Fight against untouchability and Casteism

As a leading Indian scholar, Ambedkar had been invited to testify before the Southborough Committee, which was preparing the Government of India Act 1919. At this hearing, Ambedkar argued for creating separate electorates and reservations for Dalits and other religious communities. In 1920, he began the publication of the weekly Mooknayak (Leader of the Silent) in Mumbai. Attaining popularity, Ambedkar used this journal to criticize orthodox Hindu politicians and a perceived reluctance of the Indian political community to fight caste discrimination. His speech at a Depressed Classes Conference in Kolhapur impressed the local state ruler Shahu IV, who shocked orthodox society by dining with Ambekdar . Ambedkar established a successful legal practise, and also organised the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to promote education and socio-economic uplifting of the depressed classes. In 1926, he became a nominated member of the Bombay Legislative Council. By 1927 Dr. Ambedkar decided to launch active movements against untouchability. He began with public movements and marches to open up and share public drinking water resources, also he began a struggle for the right to enter Hindu temples. He led a satyagraha in Mahad to fight for the right of the untouchable community to draw water from the main water tank of the town.

He was appointed to the Bombay Presidency Committee to work with the all-European Simon Commission in 1928. This commission had sparked great protests across India, and while its report was ignored by most Indians, Ambedkar himself wrote a separate set of recommendations for future constitutional reforms.

In December 1935, Dr Ambedkar presided over the "Jaat-Paat Todak Mandal' (Caste-Creed Breaking Party). Shri Sant Ram was the organizer of this party. The speech that Ambedkar gave in this function was talked about in the whole of India. Afterwards, Ambedkar turned his speech into a booklet and published it with the caption 'Annihilation of Caste'.
In this booklet, Dr Ambedkar writes "During the Peshwas' rule, if a high-caste Hindu was walking on the road, the low-caste Hindus didn't have the permission to walk on the same road lest the former becomes impure by the shadow of latter. It was necessary that every low caste Hindu tie a black thread on his wrist or neck so that the high-caste Hindus recognized him and did not touch him by mistake. In the Peshwas' capital Poona, it was the royal edict that the untouchables tie a broom on their waists and walk so that their footprints, which were etched on the ground, would be removed by the broom because if the footprints of the high-caste Hindus had fallen on those footprints, they would have become impure".

There are four classes of people in a society — Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras. Different tasks have been delegated to different classes, which is a social injustice. It is a personal matter of a person to choose the work he wants to do and to do it; the society has no right to dictate certain jobs for selected people.

Poona pact

During the first Round Table Conference, when Ambedkar favoured the move of the British Government to provide separate electorate for the oppressed classes, Gandhi strongly opposed it on the plea that the move would disintegrate the Hindu society. He went for an indefinite hunger strike from September 20, 1932 against the decision of the then British Prime Minister J.Ramsay MacDonald granting communal award to the depressed classes in the constitution for governance of British India.

In view of the mass upsurge generated in the country to save the life of Gandhi, Ambedkar was compelled to soften his stand. A compromise between the leaders of caste Hindu and the depressed classes was reached on September 24,1932, popularly known as Poona Pact. The resolution announced in a public meeting on September 25 in Bombay confirmed -" henceforth, amongst Hindus no one shall be regarded as an untouchable by reason of his birth and they will have the same rights in all the social institutions as the other Hindus have". This landmark resolution in the history of the Dalit movement in India subsequently formed the basis for giving due share to Dalits in the political empowerment of Indian people in a democratic Indian polity.

The following is the text of the agreement arrived at between leaders acting on behalf of the Depressed Classes and of the rest of the community, regarding the representation of the Depressed Classes in the legislatures and certain other matters affecting their welfare

1. There shall be seats reserved for the Depressed Classes out of general electorate seats in the provincial legislatures as follows: - Madras 30; Bombay with Sind 25; Punjab 8; Bihar and Orissa 18; Central Provinces 20; Assam 7; Bengal 30; United Provinces 20. Total 148. These figures are based on the Prime Minister's (British) decision.

2. Election to these seats shall be by joint electorates subject, however, to the following procedure – All members of the Depressed Classes registered in the general electoral roll of a constituency will form an electoral college which will elect a panel of tour candidates belonging to the Depressed Classes for each of such reserved seats by the method of the single vote and four persons getting the highest number of votes in such primary elections shall be the candidates for election by the general electorate.

3. The representation of the Depressed Classes in the Central Legislature shall likewise be on the principle of joint electorates and reserved seats by the method of primary election in the manner provided for in clause above for their representation in the provincial legislatures.