Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 14 (PTI) Kerala High Court judge Devan Ramachandran on Tuesday said that Dr B R Ambedkar’s life traversed from being “a victim of dehumanising and oppressive marginalisation” to becoming one of the greatest global visionaries because of his “steel and perseverance.” Speaking at an event at the Lok Bhavan on the occasion of the 135th birth anniversary of Ambedkar, Justice Ramachandran also referred to the recent alleged suicide of a first-year BDS student in Kannur.
He said that while he was unaware of the reasons for the extreme step taken by the young man, he felt that now was the time for the memory of Ambedkar to “enliven” society.
“We need society to be rooted in equality, equity, and fairness, and in the notion that every man and woman is born equal and has a right to equality,” he said.
In his speech, Justice Ramachandran further said that the life of Ambedkar, who was an economist, scholar, jurist, “lawyer par excellence,” and social reformer, demonstrates that no human being is born inferior and that “every person is made equal by existence and not by caste, scripture, or social approval.” He referred to how Ambedkar, who belonged to the Dalit community, did not give up when, as a child, he faced discrimination associated with untouchability, and persevered to earn doctoral degrees from Columbia University and the London School of Economics.
“His steel, industry, and perseverance transformed him from a child who was denied a glass of water into a scholar who earned doctoral degrees from Columbia University and the London School of Economics, and was called to the Bar at Gray’s Inn in London,” Justice Ramachandran said.
He further said that Ambedkar’s focus was on establishing a society based on liberty, equality, and fraternity, which he regarded as the three pillars of fairness, equity, and national unity.
Ambedkar also believed that political equality was not possible without social equality and warned against “political hero worship,” as it could lead to decay, Justice Ramachandran said.
Governor Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar, who also spoke briefly at the event, said that Ambedkar is still remembered only as a Dalit leader when, in reality, he was a nationalist and a “national hero.” “He worked not just for the marginalised, but for the entire country,” the governor said. PTI NDN/HMP HMP SSK
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