Historical Figure
B. R. Ambedkar
d. 1956
Indian jurist, economist, politician and social reformer (1891–1956)
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Biography
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and politician who chaired the committee that drafted the Constitution of India based on the debates of the Constituent Assembly of India and the first draft of Sir Benegal Narsing Rau. Ambedkar served as Law and Justice minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru. He later renounced Hinduism and converted to Buddhism, inspiring the Dalit Buddhist movement.
In Their Own Words (5)
I prefer Buddhism because it gives three principles in combination, which no other religion does. Buddhism teaches prajna (understanding as against superstition and supernaturalism), karuna (love), and samara (equality). This is what man wants for a good and happy life. Neither god nor soul can save society.
"Why I like Buddhism and how it is useful to the world in its present circumstances", BBC (May 1956). As quoted in "Why Dr. Ambedkar renounced Hinduism?" , 1956
So long as you do not achieve social liberty, whatever freedom is provided by the law is of no avail to you.
Speech delivered to the Bombay Presidency Mahar Conference (31 May 1936) , 1936
I was born a Hindu but will not die one.
As quoted in "The bogey of forced conversions", in The Hindu (26 October 2008) , 2008
Every man who repeats the dogma of Mill that one country is not fit to rule another country must admit that a class is not fit to rule another class.
2010
For a successful revolution, it is not enough that there is enough discontent. What is required is a profound and thorough conviction of justice, necessity and importance of political and social rights.
2010
Timeline
The story of B. R. Ambedkar, told in moments.
Earned a doctorate from the London School of Economics. He was among the first Dalits to study abroad. Also held a doctorate from Columbia University. He'd worked as a Baroda state scholar to fund his education.
Appointed chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee for independent India. He wrote the framework for the world's longest national constitution, enshrining equality and abolishing untouchability.
Converted to Buddhism along with an estimated 600,000 followers in Nagpur. He rejected Hinduism as inseparable from caste. He called it "a matter of life and death."
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