Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar

Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891. Born into a poverty, Ambedkar campaigned against the Indian caste system. He became a convert to Buddhism and is seen as a driving force in the surge of converts that saw many thousands of lower caste members become Buddhists.

Dr. Ambedkar was the first untouchable of India to pursue a college degree. He earned a law degree and doctorates for his studies in law, economics and political science, gaining a reputation as a scholar and campaigning for political rights and social freedom for the lowest in the caste system, untouchables.

In 1927, Dr. Ambedkar organised and led a march at Mahad, Maharashtra that eventually helped established equal rights for untouchable people who were not allowed to touch or our taste the water of Chawdar Lake.

Dr. Ambedkar died in 1956 and was posthumously awarded the 'Bharat Ratna', India's highest civilian award, in 1990.

Bronze sculpture depicting Mahad water moment by B R Ambedkar Ambedkar Jayanti is a regional holiday always observed on 14 April.

Babu Jagjivan Ram

The birth anniversary day of nationalist politician Babu Jagjivan Ram is observed as 'Samata Diwas'. The day is so called to match his belief of bringing equality among all in the society. Jagjivan Ram was born on 5 April 1908, in Chandwa in a harijan family. At that time society played many societal taboos on them and the harsh rules made his world very weird from others. He was filled with anguish at the sad plight of the untouchables.

This anguish practically came out as expressions when he became a social reformer while yet a school student. He offered individual Satyagraha and was jailed in 1950 for this. He was associated with the Indian National Congress from 1932 to 1977 and also remained member of Lok Sabha for 36 years. Jagjivan Ram held different portfolios from 1946 to 1963 as a Union Minister. He also held the position of Deputy Prime Minister of India from January to July 1979.

He dreamt of a casteless and democratic Hindu society. He was actively involved in the lobby group for societal transformation and for the upliftment of the weaker sections of society. He organised the scheduled castes in Banaras Hindu University to show dissent against communal bias and arranged conferences to draw the attention of social and political leaders of Bengal. He was an active participant in the anti-untouchability movement initiated by Gandhiji.

He believed in the dignity of human and the freedom an individual would enjoy. He detested the oppression that some people were facing and believed in the philosophy of ‘with malice towards none, and charity for all’.

He died in July 1986.

Tribute is paid to the departed leader and functions are organized to mark the birth anniversary of late Babu Jagjivan Ram all over the state on 5th April annually.


Brief Profile

Jagjivan Ram
Indian Politician
Jagjivan Ram, known popularly as Babuji, was an Indian independence activist and politician from Bihar. He belonged to the Chamar caste and was a leader of the Dalit community.
Born: April 5, 1908, British Raj
Died: July 6, 1986, New Delhi
Spouse: Indrani Devi (m. 1935)
Children: Meira Kumar, Suresh Kumar
Siblings: Sant Lal
Parents: Sobhi Ram, Vasanti Devi