Context:
Nation celebrates the 133rd birth anniversary of Ambedkar
Mahad Satyagraha:
- Launched on – March 20, 1927
- Also called as – Chavdar Tale Satyagraha
- Led by – Ambedkar
- Demand – Opening of public places and public water reservoirs to untouchables
- Impact – In 1937, the Bombay High Court ruled that untouchables have the right to use water from the tank.
- Significance – March 20 is observed as Social Empowerment day in India to commemorate the Mahad Satyagraha.
Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar:
- A well-known political leader, philosopher, writer, economist, and a social reformer who dedicated his life to eradicating untouchability
- Born – 14th April 1891 in Mhow (now Madhya Pradesh).
- Popularly known as – Babasaheb Ambedkar
- Contribution –
- India’s 1st Law Minister
- Chairman of the Drafting Committee of the Constituent Assembly and hence known as ‘Father of Indian Constitution’
- In 1932 Dr. Ambedkar signed the Poona pact with Mahatma Gandhi, which abandoned the idea of separate electorates for the depressed classes (Communal Award).
- He participated in all 3 Round Table Conferences.
- Organisations – Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (1923), Independent Labor Party (1936), Scheduled Castes Federation (1942).
- Books – Annihilation of Caste, Buddha or Karl Marx, Buddha and His Dhamma, The Rise and Fall of Hindu Women, Who were Shudras, Thoughts on Linguistic States, Waiting for a Visa (Autobiography).
- Journals – Mooknayak (1920), Bahishkrit Bharat (1927), Samatha (1929), Janata (1930)
- Later life – In 1956 he embraced Buddhism along with many of his followers
- Died on – December 6, 1956
- Ambedkar’s death anniversary is observed as Mahaparinirvan Diwas across the country.
Source: The Indian Express
Previous Year Question
Which of the following parties were established by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar?
1. The Peasants and Workers Party of India
2. All India Scheduled Castes Federation
3. The Independent Labour Party
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
[UPSC Civil Service Exam – 2012 Prelims]
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Answer: (b)
Explanation:
Statement 1 is not correct. The Peasants and Workers Party of India is a Marxist political party in Maharashtra, founded in 1949.
