Gadwal, Alampur Constituency – On the occasion of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s birth anniversary, Alampur MLA Vijayudu paid floral tributes to Ambedkar’s statue in Pulluru village. The event was attended by members of the Ambedkar Committee, local elders, and leaders from the BRS party.
During the ceremony, MLA Vijayudu praised Dr. Ambedkar for his crucial role in drafting the Indian Constitution. He mentioned that Ambedkar studied constitutions from around the world to create one of the most progressive ones for India. The MLA also highlighted Ambedkar’s efforts in ensuring reservations for Dalits, which helped reduce social inequality.
He added that Ambedkar’s dream would only be fulfilled when every Dalit and marginalized family has full access to government welfare programs.
Legacy of a Visionary
Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. He was the first person from the Mahar caste to graduate and later pursued higher studies with the help of the Maharaja of Baroda. He earned a doctorate in the U.S. and studied law and economics in London. He returned to India in 1923.
Ambedkar was inspired by the Satyashodhak Samaj movement led by Jyotirao Phule. He became a key leader for Dalit rights in Maharashtra and dedicated his life to fighting for the upliftment of the oppressed.
In the late 1920s, he led several important movements for civil rights, such as the Mahad Satyagraha in 1927, where Dalits demanded access to public water. He also led temple entry campaigns and publicly burned the Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text seen as discriminatory.
Champion of Social Reforms
Ambedkar believed that Brahminism and the caste system were major barriers to progress. His leadership inspired a strong sense of identity and activism among Dalit youth.
He fought against caste-based oppression and feudal land systems. In 1936, he started the Independent Labour Party (ILP), which supported workers’ strikes and land reforms alongside socialists and communists.
Ambedkar also worked with the British government to secure special rights for Dalits. These included separate electorates, job reservations, and scholarships, which helped build a stronger Dalit middle class.
A Democratic Revolutionary
Ambedkar later became India’s first Law Minister in Prime Minister Nehru’s cabinet. However, he eventually resigned due to disagreements with the Congress party. His death shortly after was a great loss to India’s marginalized communities.
Throughout his life, Ambedkar exposed the caste discrimination within Hinduism and stood up for the rights of the oppressed. He is remembered not just as the chief architect of the Constitution, but also as a symbol of justice, equality, and democratic ideals.
Continuing the Struggle
The event ended with a message that Ambedkar’s mission is still ongoing. Even after 75 years of independence, many workers, farmers, and small traders continue to face exploitation under systems that favor upper-caste dominance.
The message warned that supporting elite political parties would only protect existing caste hierarchies. It called for a united fight by the working class, inspired by Ambedkar’s vision, to challenge casteism and economic inequality.
The event concluded with a call for a people’s democracy — a system where everyone, regardless of caste or class, enjoys equal rights and dignity, which was the core dream of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.
