Dr. B.R. Ambedkar and the Upliftment of Depressed Classes in British India: Constitutional Safeguards and Social Justice

Abstract

Dr. B.R. Ambedkar dedicated his life to the upliftment of India’s socially and economically marginalized groups. Through tireless advocacy, legal reforms and institution-building, he transformed the struggle of the oppressed into a movement for equality and human dignity. This paper explores Ambedkar’s initiatives, from early efforts like the founding of Mook Nayak and Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha to his role in the Simon Commission, Round Table Conferences and the landmark Poona Pact. It examines his strategies to ensure educational access, employment quotas and political representation for the Depressed Classes. Ambedkar’s most enduring contribution was his leadership in framing the Indian Constitution, embedding Fundamental Rights, Directive Principles and special provisions for Scheduled Castes and Tribes. These safeguards, rooted in his vision of a just society, laid the foundation for modern India’s policies on social equity and human development.