Mahaparinirvana Divas: December 6

• December 6, 2020, marks the 64th death anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, the chief architect of the Indian Constitution.
• The social reformer, economist, thinker, politician and the first Law Minister of Independent India, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar breathed his last while in his sleep.
• He is paid tribute to on this day, celebrated as the Mahaparinirvan Diwas.

Why is his death anniversary known as Mahaparinirvana Diwas?

• ‘Parinirvan’ has a deep meaning in Buddhist traditions and refers to someone who has attained nirvana in his lifetime and after death.
• Dr. Ambedkar died a few days after completing “The Buddha and his Dhamma”.
• He also adopted Buddhism on October 14, 1956 in Nagpur after studying the religion for several years.
• December 6 is observed to commemorate his unfathomable contribution to society and his achievements.

BR Ambedkar

• Born on April 14, 1891, in Madhya Pradesh, Ambedkar, did his education at Elphinstone College under Bombay University, Columbia University, and then completed his Bar course from London School Of Economics.
• As a revolutionary freedom fighter, he worked along with Jawaharlal Nehru and Gandhi.
• He also played an irreplaceable role in the upliftment of the poor and backward classes of the society.
• He led the Dalit Buddhist campaign and worked relentlessly for their equal human rights and betterment.
• In 1956 he published his book Annihilation Of Caste which vehemently criticised the practices and laws regarding the untouchables and Dalits.
• Dr BR Ambedkar was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of India, posthumously in 1990.

Contributions of BR Ambedkar

• Architect of Indian Constitution
• He became chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and played an important role in framing the Indian Constitution.
• He also made contributions in areas of fundamental rights, strong central government and protection of minorities.
• He referred to Article 32 as ""the soul of the Constitution and very heart of it"".
• He supported a strong central government as he felt it would ensure protection to lower castes.
• Constitutional Morality
• Constitutional morality means effective coordination between conflicting interests of different people and administrative cooperation.
• According to him,Indian society is divided in caste, religion, language, and other factors and the Constitution can play the role of a moral parameter.
• Democracy
• He supported the parliamentary form of democracy, which aligns with other national leaders.
• Social Reforms
• He believed that a nation cannot progress without untouchability eradication.
• For him, Untouchability is the slavery of the entire Hindu society.
• On Caste:
• He believed that the caste system does not let lower castes prosper and hence, it has to be abolished.
• He also set up the 'Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association)’ in 1923 devoted to educating the downtrodden.
• He also launched temple entry movement in 1930 at Kalaram temple.
• He attended all 3 Round Table Conferences (1930-32) in London and emphasized on the upliftment of 'untouchables'.
• He also signed Poona Pact with Mahatama Gandhi on the reservation of electoral seats for the depressed classes.
• He founded the Independent Labour Party in 1936.
• The period from 14th April 1990 - 14th April 1991 was observed as 'Year of Social Justice' in the memory of Babasaheb.
• Important works of Dr. Ambedkar - Mook Nayak (weekly) 1920; Janta (weekly) 1930; The Annihilation of Caste 1936; The Untouchables 1948; Buddha Or Karl Marx 1956, etc. "