Context:
PM Modi paid tribute to Dr B R Ambedkar on 69th Mahaparinirvan Diwas
Mahaparinirvan Diwas:
- Observed annually on December 6 to commemorate the death anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the Father of the Indian Constitution.
- The term “Parinirvana” is a Sanskrit term meaning release or freedom after death, a major principle in Buddhism.
- Dr. Ambedkar’s death anniversary is referred to as Mahaparinirvan Diwas due to his status as a Buddhist leader.
Dr. B.R. 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
- Led Kalaram temple movement and Mahad Satyagraha against the practice of untouchability
- Participated in all 3 Round Table Conferences and signed the Poona Pact with Mahatma Gandhi in 1932.
- Appointed as the Chairman of the Drafting Committee for the Indian Constitution on August 29, 1947.
- Served as the 1st Law Minister of independent India.
- Converted to Buddhism in 1956 and inspired many of his followers to do the same.
- 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)
- Died on – December 6, 1956
- Chaitya Bhoomi – His memorial located in Mumbai, where his last rites were performed.
- Bharat Ratna – Posthumously awarded India’s highest civilian honor, the Bharat Ratna, in 1990.
Source: TOI
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.
