Q.69 Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar despite having divergent approaches and strategies, had a common goal of amelioration of the downtrodden. Elucidate. GS-I: HISTORY (UPSC CSE 2015) (200 words/12.5 Marks)

He never allowed social reform to remain aside of political freedom. He ran several campaigns for abolition of untouchability but within freedom movement.

He advocated for social equality and the eradication of caste-based discrimination as seen by his conversion to Buddhism and his book “Annihilation of Caste.”

He was a strong believer in Varna system, which led to the caste system. He thought that a person’s caste at birth was determined by a heavenly decree.

He had a strong disapproval for the caste system. He wanted to abolish casteism to improve the status of the depressed people.

He supported the unprivileged classes by providing economic independence and respecting their labour. Khadi was one of the instrument used for their upliftment.

He fought for Dalits’ rights to use public water supplies through the Mahad Satyagraha, which challenged social norms.

He opposed separate electorates because he believed the mechanism would widen the rift in society. In order to defend these people’s rights, he therefore suggested adding more reserved seats to the legislature.

He promoted the rights of oppressed by making use of colonial legal system, thus, at the round table conference, he proposed a separate electorates from the British Empire in order to defend the rights of the oppressed.

He was not directly involved in legislative methods and influenced social legislations through his nationwide campaigns.

He was a believer of legislative systema and ensured social justice through constitutional provisions. He has drawn attention to the effects of the British legal system.

His Nai Talim sought to promote social harmony through holistic education.

He used education as a tool for social mobility, for example he created London  School  of Economics Scholarship for Indian students.

• His efforts led to the establishment of Harijan Sevak Sangh, an organization that aimed to provide social and economic upliftment to the Dalits.
• His constructive programs, including education and economic self-sufficiency, were aimed at improving the lives of the downtrodden and promoting harmony among different communities.
• He urged the middle and upper classes to support and work for the upliftment of the depressed section. He spread this message through his weekly publication “Harijan”.
• During truce time, he appealed the Congressmen to go to the villages to serve the untouchables and to try for their integration with the mainstream.

• • As chief architect of the Indian Constitution, he incorporated provisions that sought to outlaw untouchability and guarantee social, economic, and political justice for all citizens.
  • He also founded the Scheduled Castes Federation to promote political empowerment for marginalized communities.
  • He also founded the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha which advocated for the development of Dalits.
  • Ambedkar, by the means of journals such as Bahishkrit Bharat (literally, Ostracized India), Equality, Janta, and Mooknayak (Leader of the Dumb), advanced the betterment of the lives of Dalits.