Remembring Dr B R Ambedkar

Since modern history is also an important facet of Prelims we will see history by the means of various personalities and their contribution to our national movement.

This year marks the 125th birth anniversary of Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, therefore, It has automatically has become an important topic for this year’s prelims.

Some Facts about Dr Ambedkar:

1)The United Nations for the first time celebrated his birth anniversary in recognition of the relevance of his ideas to uplift the marginalised and oppressed people around the world.

2)The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) was based on the ideas that Ambedkar presented to the Hilton Young Commission.

3)In 1930, Ambedkar launched Kalaram Temple movement after three months of preparation. About 15,000 volunteers assembled at Kalaram Temple satyagraha making one of the greatest processions of Nashik.

4)On 25 September 1932, the agreement known as Poona Pact was signed between Ambedkar (on behalf of the depressed classes among Hindus) and Madan Mohan Malaviya (on behalf of the other Hindus).

5)In 1936 he established Independent labour party which won 14 seats in Bombay legislative councils in 1937 elections.

6)He refused to draft Article 370 of the constitution on the grounds that it was discriminatory and against the principles of unity and integrity of the nation. Article 370 was eventually drafted by Gopalswamy Ayyangar

7)He was opposed in constituent assembly over the inclusion of President’s rule under article 356 which he said would be the dead letter of the constitution.

8)Towards the fag end of his life on 14th October 1956, he converted to Buddhism in Nagpur. He died on 6th December 1956. He was posthumously awarded Bharat Ratna in 1990

Books by Dr. Ambedkar:

• The Buddha and His Dhamma
• Annihilation of Caste
• Who Were The Shudras?
• What Congress and Gandhi Have Done To Untouchables
• Pakistan or Partition of India
• The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India
• The Untouchables Who Were They And Why They Became Untouchables?
• Administration and Finance of the East India Company

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