One of the most salient features of the Constitution of India is that it defines and protects the rights of every citizen unlike those of Britain and West European countries. BR Ambedkar had a deep insight into how to bring about socio-economic equality in society by introducing various provisions particularly related to land reforms, tax laws, bank nationalisation etc, which were not there in the original draft prepared by him.
Education: B.R. Ambedkar believed that Education in all its forms, starting with primary education, to higher education and technological education down to vocational training, is essential for the proper functioning of any society. He founded ‘Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha to spread education among marginalised and to improve their economic conditions. Thus, he played a major role in education of marginalised.
Caste System: He also believed that backward and tribal people in India were captives of religious orthodoxy and caste systems. In practice, caste discrimination was not imposed by the Hindu religion, but that religion became a tool of exploitation for Brahmin landlords. Ambedkar came up with an idea that the State should disengage itself from the religious issue by legal prohibition.
Changing hierarchical structures: Dr. Ambedkar’s activities could be described as an effort to change the hierarchical structures of the Indian society. The caste system particularly served to privilege Brahmins against other caste groups, resulting in their exclusion from public life and their social degradation.
Removing Untouchables: Throughout his life the main objective of Dr. Ambedkar was to liberate the untouchables and make them equal members of society. Essentially, it was about freeing and liberating a section of the Indian community from stigmas associated with their caste and making a just and equal place for them in Indian society.
Framing of secular Constitution: The present political system in India, the parliamentary democracy, is based on the Constitution framed by Dr Ambedkar. The text prepared by Ambedkar provides constitutional guarantees and protections to individual citizens for a wide range of civil liberties, including freedom of religion, the abolition of untouchability, and the outlawing of all forms of discrimination.
Upliftment of marginalised: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was a great Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer who inspired the Dalits, depressed castes, and other socially disadvantaged people to fight against caste-based discrimination in India. Ambedkar led an enormous movement for human rights and against social practices such as untouchability. Presented here are extracts from his writings on major themes that have shaped modern India.
Fundamental Rights: Ambedkar’s supreme contribution in shaping a modern India is reflected in his role as law minister of Independent India. He was the man behind drafting the Constitution of India. The imprint of Ambedkar is visible in fundamental rights of equality, reservation for Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes, National Commissions for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes, and Directive Principles of State Policy etc. The caste discrimination still rampant, but is certainly on the decline plane.
Economic Contributions: The Reserve Bank of India was conceptualized and formulated by Dr. Ambedkar as he was a trained economist. The importance of waterways was also thought over by Dr. Ambedkar. Indian government in 2015 upgraded waterways to the national waterways after borrowing from his vision. Economic ownership was also part and parcel of Dr. Ambedkar’s plan for the development of an independent nation; he started this process in our country and made it more vibrant with his ideas contributed to Indian economy.
