Ambedkar Visionary leader jurist

Today the nation celebrates the 119th birthday of the architect of the Constitution of India, B.R. Ambedkar. Bar & Bench looks back on the life of one of India’s greatest visionary..Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891 in Madhya Pradesh to parents who belonged to the untouchable Mahar caste. From a very young age, Ambedkar had endured enormous hardships due to the severe caste practices prevalent in the Hindu religion..Although born to an untouchable schoolteacher in the British Army, Ambedkar was highly educated; a Ph.D. from Columbia University (1927), D.Sc. from London School of Economics and Bar-At-Law from Gray’s Inn in London (1923)..Ambedkar returned to India and established himself in Bombay, built up his legal practice, taught in law colleges and universities and also started a newspaper. In 1935, he was appointed as the principal of the Government Law College, a position that he held for two years. In 1936, Ambedkar founded the Independent Labour Party and in 1942 he founded the Scheduled Caste Federation for the independent political assertion of Dalits..In 1947 India achieved independence and Prime Minister Nehru appointed Ambedkar as the first Law Minister. Despite his unpopularity and criticisms, Ambedkar was also appointed Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Constitution of India and played the central role in its drafting. February 1948, he presented the Draft Constitution that was adopted in November 1949 with all its 356 articles..As the Law Minister, Ambedkar fought vigorously for the passage of the Hindu Code Bill, one of the most significant legislation for women’s right in respect of marriage and inheritance. He resigned in September 1951 when the Bill did not pass in the Parliament..Ambedkar died on December 6, 1956. In 1990, he was posthumously honoured with India’s highest national award, “Bharat Ratna”. His teachings and writings have continued to influence a vast number of followers.