Ambedkar Jayanti: April 14

Every year India celebrates Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti on April 14. The day is also called Ambedkar Remembrance Day. Since 2015, April 14 is observed as an official public holiday in India.

About Ambedkar

• Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891.
• He struggled for equality throughout his life. Thus, his birthday is also celebrated as “Equality Day”. India has placed a demand to celebrate his birthday as International Equality Day to the United Nations.
• He was also known as Babasaheb Ambedkar.
• In 1956, he converted to Buddhism.
• In 1932, he signed Poona Pact with Madan Mohan Malaviya. Malaviya signed it on behalf of Gandhi. According to the agreement, reserved seats were provided for depressed classes. Because of the pact, the depressed classes received one hundred and forty-eight seats instead of seventy one seats.
• In 1936, Ambedkar founded Independent Labour Party.
• After Lahore resolution, in 1940, he wrote a book called “Thoughts on Pakistan”. The book analysed the concept of Pakistan.
• In his other book called “Who were the Shudras?”, Ambedkar wrote about the untouchables.
• Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee of Constituent Assembly.

Tributes

• In 1990, Ambedkar was bestowed with Bharat Ratna.
• His portrait was unveiled in the Central Hall of Parliament in 1990.
• The period between April 14, 1990 and April 14, 1991 was observed as “Year of Social Justice”.
• In 2015, the Government of India issued ten rupees and 125 rupees coins to mark his 125^th birth anniversary.
• The United Nations celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti for three consecutive years, in 2016, 2017 and 2018.
• In 2020, Canada decided to celebrate Ambedkar birthday as Dr B R Ambedkar Day of Equality.
• In 2021, the Government of British Columbia decided to celebrate his birthday as Dr B R Ambedkar Equality Day.

Month: Current Affairs - April, 2021