Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti

B.R. Ambedkar, popularly known as Babasaheb Ambedkar, was an economist, politician, and social reformer who fought for the rights of the Dalit community who were considered as untouchables back in the day (they are still considered untouchables in certain parts of the country). A principal architect of the Constitution of India, Ambedkar also advocated for women's rights and labours' rights.

Recognized as the first Law and Justice Minister of Independent India, Ambedkar's contribution to construct the entire concept of Republic of India is immense. To honor his contribution and service to the country, his birthday is celebrated every year on the 14th of April.

Date

Holiday

States

Monday, 14 April 2025

Dr Ambedkar Jayanti

National except MZ, TR, AN, CH, DD, DL, MN, ML, AS, PY

A Brief History of Ambedkar and his Contributions

Ambedkar Jayanti

Ambedkar was a brilliant student and practitioner of law and economics. He earned doctorate degrees in Economics from both Columbia University and London School of Economics. He used his strong grasp in economics to free the state of India from archaic beliefs and ideas. He opposed the concept of creating separate electorates for the untouchables and advocated equal rights for all.

He established the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to promote education among the "social outcastes" which consisted of non-Brahmin classes of people. He introduced five periodicals—Mooknayak, Bahishkrit Bharat, Samta, Janata, and Prabuddha Bharat to write more about the deprived classes.

He fiercely opposed a separate electorate for the backward class of people as suggested by the British. Following long discussions, a pact was signed between Ambedkar on behalf of the backward classes and Congress activist Madan Mohan Malaviya on behalf of the other Hindu communities. This pact, known as the Poona Pact, allowed the deprived class of people to receive 148 seats in the legislature as opposed to 71 seats as suggested by the British Government. This deprived class was later recognised as "Scheduled Caste" and "Scheduled Tribe" in the Indian Constitution.

After gaining independence from the British rule, Ambedkar was invited to become the first Law and Justice Minister, an offer he accepted. He was later appointed to draft India's first Constitution to which he obliged, and thus the Constitution of India came into existence.

Educational Qualifications of Dr. BR. Ambedkar 

Dr. BR Ambedkar is a prominent figure in Indian history, who made significant contributions in the fields of education and politics. He received his education from some of the most prestigious institutions in the world, including Elphinstone College in Mumbai, the London School of Economics in the UK, and Columbia University in the USA. 

One of his most notable educational achievements was being the first Indian to earn a doctorate in economics from a foreign university. Furthermore, he also served as the principal of the Government Law College in Mumbai for two years, where he used his position to advocate for the rights of the lower-caste students. 

How Ambedkar Jayanti is Celebrated

The birth anniversary of Babasaheb Ambedkar is celebrated across the country, especially among women, Dalits, adivasis, labourers, and all the other communities for whom Ambedkar fought for. Ambedkar's statues and portraits are commemorated with garlands as people pay their respect to the social reformer. Even the United Nations observed Ambedkar Jayanti in the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. Cultural events and discussions pertaining to Ambedkar's life are common practices on this day.

Ambedkar's philosophy is still relevant to this day. Without Babasaheb's active role in shaping up India's socio-cultural system, it would have been nearly impossible to make any progress from dated and archaic beliefs and to the country the world's biggest democracy.

Why is Ambedkar Jayanti Celebrated?

India celebrates the Jayanti of Dr B R Ambedkar in order to remember and honor his significant contribution to the Indian poor. He was the main brain behind the Indian Constitution. In 1923, the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha was founded by him to spread the need for education and enrich the financial status of the low-income group. A social movement, which was aimed at eradicating the casteism in the country, was run by him. He commenced social movements such as anti-priest movement, temple entry movement, anti-caste movement, etc.

In 1930, the temple entry movement was led by him at Nashik for human rights. According to him, the problems of the depressed people are not resolved completely through the political power. The depressed people should be given equal rights in the society. In 1942, he was a member of Victoria's Executive Council. During his tenure, he fought for safeguarding the rights of the low-class people. He was a social reformer and economist throughout his life.

Significant Contributions of Dr. BR. Ambedkar

  1. The contributions of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar have been significant. He fought for protecting the rights of the Dalit community through organising several events. The notable events include Equality Janta, Mook Nayaka, etc.
  2. The Congress Government had invited him to become the first Law Minister when the country was freed from the British administration on 15 August 1947. He was deputed as a Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee on 29 August 1947.
  3. He crafted the new constitution for the country. The Constituent Assembly had adopted the new constitution on 26 November 1949.
  4. His contributions have been enormous in establishing the Central Bank of India, which is the Reserve Bank of India, as he was an economist. He authored three books: "The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and its Solution," "Administration and Finance of East India Company," and "The Evolution of Provincial Finance in British India."
  5. Since he was an economist, Dr B R Ambedkar played a vital role in comprehending the Indian economy.
  6. People were motivated by him for the growth of the agricultural sector and industrial activities. He also had motivated people for better education and the community health.
  7. The Dalit Buddhist Movement was inspired by him.

FAQs on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Jayanti in 2025

  • Is Ambedkar Jayanti a Bank Holiday?

    Yes, Ambedkar Jayanti, which falls on April 14th every year, is a bank holiday in numerous states. 

  • Is Ambedkar Jayanti a National Holiday?

    Ambedkar Jayanti has been observed as a national holiday in 25 Indian states and union territories since 2015. 

  • What is Ambedkar Jayanti?

    Ambedkar Jayanti commemorates the birth anniversary of Dr. BR Ambedkar, a highly renowned Indian statesman and advocate for social change. This occasion is observed annually on April 14th. 

  • What is Dr.BR Ambedkar’s birth date?

    Dr. BR Ambedkar was born on April 14th, 1891. Throughout the country, Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on this day to honour his crucial role in drafting the Indian constitution and fighting for social equality. 

  • What is the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha?

    The Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha was founded by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar in 1923 to spread the need for education and enrich the financial status of the low-income group. 

  • What are some of the social movements initiated by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?

    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar commenced social movements such as the anti-priest movement, temple entry movement, anti-caste movement, etc., to eradicate casteism in the country. 

  • How is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti celebrated?

    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated by paying respects to his statues and portraits with garlands. Cultural events and discussions pertaining to Ambedkar's life are also common practices on this day. 

  • Who observes Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti apart from India?

    The United Nations observed Ambedkar Jayanti in the years 2016, 2017, and 2018. 

  • Why is Dr. B.R. Ambedkar still relevant to this day?

    Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's philosophy is still relevant to this day as it helped shape India's socio-cultural system, bringing progress from dated and archaic beliefs, making India the world's biggest democracy.

  • What was the Poona Pact?

    The Poona Pact was a pact signed between Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on behalf of the backward classes and Congress activist Madan Mohan Malaviya on behalf of the other Hindu communities. It allowed the deprived class of people to receive 148 seats in the legislature as opposed to 71 seats as suggested by the British Government. 

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