The man to be known as Dr. Ambedkar was born on the 14th April 1891 and was born into a caste referred to as untouchables. His father a sergeant major in the British Indian Army ensured the education of his son.
An untouchable was seen as unapproachable, unseeable and even a shadow of an untouchable if caste on a Hindu was seen as a crime of great magnitude, all of which had the approval of the Hindu religion.
Dr. Ambedkar was a man who strived and clearly fought for equality, justice and humanity. His entire life was one of struggles and from an early age realised the cruelty of the Hindu Society.
Dr. Ambedkar shaped the constitution of India and became the first Minister for Law when India got its independence.
A SNAPSHOT OF AMBEDKAR'S ACADEMIC LIFE
At school Ambedkar was not allowed to sit with other students, some Brahmin Teachers refused to touch his books and sometimes not allowed to speak for fear of pollution.
Under such unrelenting humiliation Ambedkar continued with a disturbing determination to study hard and obtain qualifications which would allow him to fight for justice and was a great believer in self help to promote justice for the untouchables.
In 1912 Ambedkar passed his intermediate examination from Elphinstone College and obtained his B.A. Degree.
The Maharaja of Baroda sponsored Ambedkar to study in America where he obtained his M.A. and Ph.D.
In 1920 Ambedkar left for London for higher studies and in 1922 became a barrister and in the following year returned back to India.
AMBEDKAR STARTS LIFE LONG ATTACK ON UNTOUCHABILITY
In 1924 Dr. Ambedkar creates the Association for the welfare of untouchables, organises education classes for untouchables and creates hostels for rejected students to live in. Motivates people to fight back.
In 1928 the British Government sent politicians to investigate possible advances in the governance of the subcontinent. Dr. Ambedkar was invited and accepted eagerly, the Congress Party which was led by Gandhi refused to co-operate as no Indians were in the investigating team.
Ambedkar openly opposed Gandhi's view on how justice should be secured for the untouchables and as a result was in direct conflict with Gandhi. Gandhi labelled Ambedkar as a Traitor for co-operating with the British.
The British Government in their attempts to rule and appease the multiple facets of Indian Society wanted to form a more liberal constitution for India and held conferences in London which were called the Round Table Conference.
At the Second Round Table Conference in 1931 Ambedkar secured for the untouchables separate electorates.
GANDHI'S FAST
Gandhi was strongly opposed to separate electorates for the untouchables and felt that this would strongly divide the Hindu society and as a result would fast unto death if necessary.
Ambedkar was put into a very difficult situation and was aware of the consequences if Gandhi completed his fast unto death. Ambedkar was troubled deeply by Gandhi's actions but did not want to be responsible for the attacks and greater injustices that would follow if Gandhi died.
Ambedkar after careful consideration then gave up the claim for separate electorates and Gandhi ended his fast. Gandhi deeply troubled by his victory, philosophised and told Dr. Ambedkar that he to wanted to be reborn as an untouchable and lead a struggle against the oppression heaped upon his people.
THE CONSTITUTION OF INDIA
During the 2nd World War India was thrown into war without consultation and the war efforts by India were inhibited by Nehru, Dr. Ambedkar encouraged and motivated all untouchables to join the war effort and explained that the enemy regarded the brown races as having bottom place in gradation. During wartime India Dr. Ambedkar became influential.
India became free from foreign rule on the 15th of August 1947 and the ruling India Congress Party could not ignore the efforts of Dr. Ambedkar and became the first minister for law in independent India.
On the 26th November 1949 the constitution assembly accepted the draft for the Indian constitution which incorporated the part of the constitution wiping out untouchability in the eyes of the law.
This was a turning point for untouchables and a major triumph for Dr. Ambedkar.
DR. AMBEDKAR'S COMMITMENT
Dr. Ambedkar struggled throughout his life for justice and equality and believed the only way forward to wipe untouchability was education and self help. Dr. Ambedkar is also known as the father of India's constitution and passed away on the 06th December 1956.
DR. AMBEDKAR
CONCLUSION
For those of us who have chosen to remain valmikis, the struggle to achieve the objectives and goals set out by Dr. Ambedkar continue. The ultimate aim of all Valmikis is to create a unprejudiced and egalitarian society where education and WEALTH can be accessed by all sections of society.