Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti or Ambedkar Memorial Day (14 April) is celebrated to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar. Like every year, the nation is all set to celebrate Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti this year too on 14th April 2024. This article of NEXT IAS presents a detailed description of Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti, which includes the history, significance and related facts of this day.
About Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti
Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, also known as Bhim Jayanti or Ambedkar Memorial Day, is celebrated on 14 April every year in India. On this day, Dalit leader and chief architect of the Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R. It is the birth anniversary of Ambedkar ji. This day provides us an opportunity to remind ourselves of the extraordinary contributions of Dr. Ambedkar as well as reflect on our continuing journey for equality and social justice.
Main facts about Ambedkar Jayanti
| Date | 14 April |
| Other names | |
| strong | Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti, Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti, Bhim Jayanti, Ambedkar Memorial Day, Equality Day |
| Start | In 1928, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary started being celebrated as a festival. |
| Objective | Dr. Celebrating the life and legacy of Ambedkar and promoting equality and social justice. |
| Theme | Generally, there is no pre-announced theme for these celebrations. However, most of the events are organized on the theme of “equality and social justice”. |
Ambedkar Memorial Day
Dr. B. R. about ambedkar
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, famous as the father of the Indian Constitution, is a great personality in Indian history. Along with the upliftment of the depressed classes, he also played an important role in the making of the Indian Constitution. He spent his entire life fighting for equality and social justice for the depressed classes in India.
Born on April 14, 1891 in Mhow (now Ambedkar Nagar), Madhya Pradesh, Ambedkar’s legacy is marked by numerous contributions. He became a powerful voice for the upliftment of Dalits and other oppressed communities and fought against the unjust caste system in India. As Chairman of the Drafting Committee, Ambedkar played an important role in drafting the Indian Constitution. By leading efforts to get the Hindu Code Bill passed, she also promoted gender equality and women’s empowerment in India.
Due to his immense contributions, every year 14 April is celebrated all over India as Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti or Bhim Jayanti or Ambedkar Memorial Day.
History of Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti Celebration
The history of celebrations is an evolution from community-based commemorations to national day celebrations. The timeline of its origin and development can be seen as follows:
1928: First ceremony
- Dr. The credit for first publicly celebrating the birthday of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is given to social activist Janardan Sadashiv Ranapisay in Pune on April 14, 1928.
- This marked the beginning of a tradition which Ambedkar’s followers carried forward over the years.
1940s–1980s: growing identity
- In the middle of the 20th century, as Ambedkar ji’s stature grew, the recognition of the celebration of his birth anniversary also began to increase.
- However, it was still not a national level event.
After the 1990s:
- In the year 1990, Dr. Ambedkar was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. Also, the period 1990–91 was declared the “Year of Social Justice”.
- In this decade, Ambedkar Memorial Day began to gain widespread recognition, with it being celebrated informally as a holiday in many states.
Year 2020: Recognition by Central Government
- Around this time this day also began to be recognized by the federal government.
- Although there is no specific documented date for declaring a national holiday, in recent years central government offices have been observing this day as a holiday for the past few years.
Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti Celebration
Ambedkar Memorial Day celebrations in India are marked by various official and public programs across the country. Government bodies, educational institutions, non-governmental organizations, etc. organize various events to celebrate this day across the country.
Here is an overview of some of the common events taking place as part of Bhim Jayanti celebrations in India:
- Government functions: Includes issuing commemorative coins, organizing public events, etc.
- Tribute Ceremony: All Indians gather to pay tribute at the statues and monuments of Dr. Ambedkar.
- Educational Programs: Schools and universities organize seminars, lectures and discussions to educate the younger generation about the life, philosophy and contributions of Ambedkar.
- Exhibitions: Exhibitions showcasing the life and work of Ambedkar are organized at various places across the country.
- Processions and Rallies: Public processions and rallies are very common as part of celebrations.
- Cultural Programmes: Traditional dance and musical performances depicting themes of equality and social justice add a cultural dimension to the celebrations.
- Speeches and Discussions: Speeches and discussions on issues related to social justice and caste discrimination.
Objectives of Ambedkar Jayanti Celebration
Although the day is mainly celebrated as the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, the celebrations revolve around multiple objectives. Some of the major objectives of Ambedkar Memorial Day celebrations can be seen as follows:
- Recognizing the contribution of Ambedkar ji:The primary objective is to honor and remember the immense contribution of Dr. Ambedkar to the Indian society.
- Educational Awareness: Through various programs and events, the celebrations help in educating the public, especially the younger generation, about the vision and philosophy of Dr. Ambedkar.
- Promoting social equality: Dr. Ambedkar was a strong supporter of equality and fought against the caste system and untouchability. The purpose of the celebration is to promote their ideals of social justice, equality and human rights, encouraging people to work towards a society where everyone is treated equally.
- Inspiring social change and reform: Highlighting the struggles and achievements of Dr. Ambedkar, it aims to inspire people to fight against social injustice and an unequal society.
Importance of Babasaheb Ambedkar Jayanti Celebration
- By promoting Ambedkar’s vision of harmony among all communities, it helps in promoting national unity and integration.
- Social initiatives and community development projects launched by many government and non-government organizations on this occasion help in the upliftment of marginalized communities.
- The festival inspires individuals and communities to work for social reform, advocating for the rights and dignity of the oppressed and the underprivileged.
- It focuses on our ongoing journey towards promoting equality and human rights.
- The ceremony reaffirms India’s commitment to the principles enshrined in the Constitution of India. The renewed focus on education during the celebrations may encourage continued efforts to expand access to education, especially for marginalized communities.
Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti is not just a day to remember the birth of a great leader but also to celebrate the values he espoused and his transformative impact on Indian society. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life and work continue to inspire millions of people in India and around the world to strive for social justice, equality and human rights. As we celebrate Ambedkar Memorial Day, let us recommit ourselves to the ideals he espoused and work towards realizing his dream of an inclusive and equality-based India.
Why do we celebrate Ambedkar Jayanti?
In India, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated to mark the birth anniversary of Ambedkar.
Where was Dr. BR Ambedkar born?
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was born on 14 April 1891 in Mhow (now Ambedkar Nagar), Madhya Pradesh.
Is Ambedkar Jayanti a national holiday?
Ambedkar Jayanti is not a national holiday in India. However, it is a public holiday in many Indian states and union territories.
