"Dr. B R Ambedkar single handedly struggled for the upliftment of the dalits and the downtrodden low castes, giving them social equality, self respect and political empowerment."Critically analyze his role throwing light on the movements he led.
“I like the religion that teaches liberty, equality and fraternity“- thus said Dr. Ambedkar who lived by his thought in letter and spirit always working for the upliftment and betterment of the downtrodden.
For this, his struggle started in 1924 with the formation of Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha wherein he concentrated on removing difficulties of the untouchables and placing their grievances before government. Through this organization, he promoted education among the Depressed Class by opening Hostels and other means. During Mahad Satyagraha, 1927 he fought almost alone to make the public facilities accessible to the Dalits. Similarly, the temple entry movements in 1930s helped entry of Dalits in the temples which were hitherto forbid for the lower caste people.
Via the All India Depressed Classes Association he demanded safeguards for the downtrodden untouchables and pleaded for direct representation in the councils in proportion to the strength of depressed community. In all these struggles, we find he fought almost singlehandedly.
The 14th amendment of US constitution, which granted freedom to Negroes; activities of Booker T. Washington and pragmatism of John Dewey worked as driving forces and influences to shape his struggle. The influence of Kabir, Buddha and Jyotiba Phule gave him strength to strive for anti-Brahmanism and socio-economic upliftment of Dalits. (209 words)