April 14th, 1891 will be the aniversary of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar’s (डॉ.भीमराव रामजी आंबेडकर) birthday. Amedkar was a lawyer, political activist, writer and the chief architect of the Indian Constitution. He was born into what was considered the lowest caste in India, the Untouchables. Despite all the segregation and discrimination he faced, he was able to earn a degree in law. Determined to bring about a better society for the Untouchables, he ran a crusade against mainstream leaders who failed to take a stand against injustice. One of the leaders he targeted was the beloved Gandhi, who he felt had a condescending attitude towards the Untouchables.

Ambedkar’s legacy perhaps raises mixed feelings among the people of India. On the one hand, he championed the rights of those who were underpriviledged. On the other hand, he criticized certain groups likes Muslims and the Islamic faith. By the end of his life, he had many political enemies and was diagnosed with having clinical depression. The depression took a toll on his health. He died on Decemeber 6, 1956. On the aniversary of his birth people still pay respect to the man who had a large impact on modern India. No matter what your feelings are about Ambedkar, you can’t deny that he was one of the most influential people in Indian history.