Ambedkar Jayanti 2025: Remembering the Vision of the Father of the Indian Constitution

As India marks the 135th birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, his legacy remains more relevant than ever. Revered as the principal architect of the Indian Constitution, Ambedkar’s thoughts on democracy, Buddhism, caste, and social justice continue to shape India’s social and political fabric. Far beyond ceremonial tributes, his ideas resonate in courtrooms, classrooms, protests, and digital spaces, where the battles for equality and justice are far from over.

Ambedkar’s Vision of Democracy

Dr. Ambedkar was not just a jurist or a constitution-maker; he was a revolutionary thinker who believed in a deeply rooted form of democracy — one that was not alien to India’s soil. In one of his speeches, he stated:

“There was a time when India was studded with republics… It is not that India did not know Parliaments or Parliamentary Procedure.”

He referred to the Buddhist Bhikshu Sanghas as examples of ancient democratic institutions, which, according to him, followed procedures akin to modern parliamentary systems. Ambedkar believed the Buddha himself may have drawn from existing political assemblies of his time, suggesting a rich, indigenous democratic tradition.

However, he warned that political democracy cannot last unless it is built on social democracy — a way of life based on liberty, equality, and fraternity.

“Democracy is only a top-dressing on an Indian soil which is essentially undemocratic,” he famously remarked during his final speech to the Constituent Assembly on November 25, 1949.

Buddhism vs Marxism: A Comparative Insight

Ambedkar’s conversion to Buddhism in 1956 was not just spiritual, but deeply political and philosophical. In his comparative analysis of Buddhism and Marxism, Ambedkar highlighted that while both seek a just and equal society, Buddhism’s non-violent and ethical path was superior.

“The Marxists may laugh… Marx so modern and Buddha so ancient! But if they study the Buddha… they will change their attitude.”

For Ambedkar, the Buddha’s methods of change through morality, compassion, and reason were more sustainable than the forceful revolutions advocated by Marxism.

Ambedkar and the Power of Education

Education was at the core of Ambedkar’s mission for social upliftment. Rising from a Dalit family in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, Ambedkar became the first Dalit to attend Bombay’s Elphinstone College, and later earned doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.

He believed education was the key to empowerment and established the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha in 1923 to promote learning among marginalized communities.

Legacy Beyond Statues: A Living Resistance

Today, Dr. Ambedkar's legacy has grown beyond statues and official tributes. His ideas continue to challenge caste-based discrimination and advocate for a more egalitarian, caste-free India.

However, as Dalit scholar Dr. Suraj Yengde noted, Ambedkar’s image is often appropriated by political actors without addressing his radical critique of the caste system:

“Ambedkar's image is used to silence Dalit rage… to the benefit of the oppressor.”

Political parties across the spectrum invoke Ambedkar’s name. Prime Minister Modi recently emphasized building a “developed and inclusive Bharat” as the truest tribute to Ambedkar. Meanwhile, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi has reiterated the need for a caste census, calling it central to Ambedkar’s dream of equality.

A Global and Timeless Reformer

Ambedkar also recognized the global dimensions of social injustice, drawing parallels between India’s Dalits and African-Americans. In a 1946 letter to W.E.B. Du Bois, he acknowledged their shared struggle against systemic oppression.

Ambedkar’s insights continue to resonate in academic discourse. Political scientist Christophe Jaffrelot, in India’s Silent Revolution, underscores Ambedkar’s warning about the dangers of democracy without social and economic equality.

His 1936 essay "Annihilation of Caste" remains a scathing indictment of Hindu orthodoxy:

“Caste is not a division of labour; it is a division of labourers… Political tyranny is nothing compared to social tyranny.”

Celebrations and Reflections in 2025

On the eve of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti, Ambedkar Smrit Vanam in Vijayawada unveiled a new lighting installation, drawing crowds to its galleries depicting the life of the reformer.

Despite growing recognition, structural caste-based injustices persist. According to the National Crime Records Bureau (2022), over 57,000 cases of crimes against Scheduled Castes were reported, reflecting the long road ahead.

Conclusion

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life and legacy offer a blueprint not just for political reform but for deep-rooted social transformation. As India reflects on his legacy in 2025, his vision of a democratic society grounded in equality, education, and human dignity remains a powerful and urgent call to action.