Contribution of B.R. Ambedkar in challenging caste and shaping modern India

Abstract

B.R. Ambedkar’s contribution to challenging caste and shaping modern India stands as a transformative chapter in the nation’s history. Born into a marginalized community and subjected to the indignities of untouchability, Ambedkar converted personal adversity into a powerful movement for social equality, justice, and democratic reform. His intellectual interventions, particularly in Annihilation of Caste, offered a radical critique of the caste system and religious orthodoxy, while his activism through satyagrahas and temple entry movements empowered Dalits to assert their dignity. As chief architect of the Indian Constitution, he institutionalized principles of equality, liberty, fraternity, and justice, ensuring safeguards for marginalized communities and abolishing untouchability. His advocacy for women’s rights and eventual embrace of Buddhism highlighted his vision of a society free from caste and gender hierarchies. Ambedkar’s legacy continues to shape India’s democratic ethos, offering enduring guidance in the ongoing struggle against caste-based discrimination.