B.
R Ambedkar and women rights
The first thing that comes to most of our minds when we hear of bhim rao ambedkar
is his contribution towards the making of the constitution of india. However, his
identity as framer of the constitution overiders / overpowers all other facets roles he
played in affecting the other spheres of society. One such largely ignored facet
aspect is that of ambedkar as the champion of women rights.
Adult franchise, incorporating various provisions that promote women equality in
constitution
He found their emancipation in Buddhist values, which promotes equality, self-respect
and education. Ambedkar believes that Buddha treated women with respect and love
and never tried to degrade them like Manu did. He taught women Buddha Dharma and
religious philosophy. Ambedkar cites women like Vishakha, Amrapali of Visali, Gautami,
Rani Mallika, Queen of Prasenajjth who approached Buddha, as evidences of Buddas
treatment of women as equals. (Paul, 1993 : 383-84) it was mainly the Hindu culture
and social customs, which stood in the headway of women's empowerment.
His exposure to the west has influenced his perception on feminist issues. it was a time
when first wave feminism had been coming to an end with the achievement of franchise
rights for women in Britain in 1918, and America in 1920 and Ambedkars perception of
the women question, emphasizing their right to education, equal treatment with men,
right to property and involvement in the political process resembled the global feminist
demands.
After returning to India he devoted his life fully to work for the depressed classes
including women. He was firmly committed to the ideals of equality, liberty and
fraternity. In Ambedkars movement lanched from 1920 onward, women actively
participated and acquired the confidence to voice their issues on various platforms.
Venbai Bhatkar and Renubai work for the socio- political equality of depressed people
and promoting their economic interests.
His arguments on the Maternity Benefit Bill and on Birth Critical were quite relevant to
recognize the dignity of women. He vehemently supported the Maternity Bill.
His argument was
It is in the interest of the nation that the mother ought to get a certain amount of rest
during the pre-natal period and also subsequently, and the principle of the Bill is based
entirely on that principle.
That being so Sir, I am bound to admit that the burden of this ought to be largely borne
by the Government, I am prepared to admit this fact because of the conservation of the
peoples welfare is primary concern of the Government. And in every country, you will
find that the Government has been subjected to a certain amount of charge with regard
to maternity benefit.
At the All India Depressed Classes Womens Conference held at Nagpur on 20th July,
1940 Dr. Ambedkar emphasized that there could not be any progress without women.
He spoke I am a great believer in womens organization I know that what they can do
to improve the condition of the society if they are convinced. They should educate their
children and instill high ambition in them.
He said in his speech delivered in the Constituent Assembly on 25th November 1949,
Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy. By
social he means a way of life, which recognizes liberty, equality and fraternity as
principal of life. He further said: On 26th January 1950, we are going to enter into a life
of contradictions. In politics we will have equality and social and economic life we will
have inequality. In politics we will be recognizing the principal of one man one vote and
one vote one value. In our social and economic life, we shall, by reason of our social and
economic structure, continue to deny the principal of one man one value. We must
remove this contradiction at the earliest possible moment or else those who suffer from
inequality will blow up the structure of political democracy which this Assembly has so
laboriously built up.
Hindu code bill 1948 containing provisions for women. Withdrawn b Nehru. Resignation
by ambedkar
Independent labour party women
Simon commission recommendation adult franchise
Taking a leaf from his life equality, womens reservation in politics need to make them
independent, parshad pati n all
The least we can do is enforce the equality clause of the constitution in letter and in
spirit.
Newspapers started by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Mooknayak and Bahiskrit Bharat
predominantly used to cover issues related to women and their empowerment.
Dr. Ambedkar was always concerned about women empowerment. In a letter to
his fathers friend, young Dr. Ambedkar, during his studies at New York, said
We shall see better days soon and our progress will be greatly accelerated if
male education is persuaded side by side with female education
On 18th July 1927, Dr. Ambedkar addressed a meeting of about three thousand
women of Depressed classes, he said I measure the progress of community by
the degree of progress which women had achieved.
Send your children to schools. Education is as necessary for Females as it is for
males. If you know how to read and write, there would be much progress. Dr. B. R.
Ambedkar (While addressing women of Depressed classes on 18th July 1927)
Dr. Ambedkar said to Women The paternal duty lies in giving each child a better
start than its parents had. Above all, let every girl who marries stand by her husband,
claim to be her husbands friend and equal, and refuse to his slave. I am sure if you
follow this advice, you will bring honour and glory to yourselves.
Did you know? Maternity Benefit Bill was introduced by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar
in 1942, during his tenure as Labour Minister in Governor Generals Executive
Council.
While drafting the constitution of India, Dr. Ambedkar was the prime movers of
the provisions related to the welfare of women. On the question of civil rights,
Dr. Ambedkar made provisions in articles 14-16 in the Indian Constitution,
which provide equal status to Woman and also banned the of sale and purchase
of woman prevailing Hindu India.
Dr. Ambedkar also introduced an emancipatory bill (the Hindu code Bill) in
Parliament which intended mainly 1) to abolish different marriage systems
prevalent among Hindus and to establish monogamy as the only legal system;
2) Conferment of right to property and adoption on women; 3) restitution of
conjugal rights and judicial separation; attempts to unify the Hindu Code in
tune with progressive and modern thought.
Did you know? Dr. Ambedkar created awareness among poor, illiterate women
and inspired them to fight against the unjust and social practices like child
marriages and devdasi system.
How many Indian ministers have resigned over women issues?
Did you know? In January 1928, a womens association was founded in
Bombay with Ramabai, Dr. Ambedkars wife, as its president.
Did you know? Dr. Ambedkar believed in the strength of women and their role
in the process of social reform. In the Kalram Temple entry Satyagraha at Nasik
in 1930, five hundred women participated and many of them were arrested
along with men and ill treated in jails.
Did you know? Dr. Ambedkar believed in the strength of women and their role
in the process of social reform. The historic Mahad Satyagraha witnessed
participation of three hundred women along with their male counterparts.
I strongly believe in the movements run by women. If they are truly taken in to
confidence, they may change the present picture of society which is very
miserable. In past, they have played a significant role in improving the
condition of weaker section and classes.
Unity is meaningless without the accompaniment of women. Education is
fruitless without educated women, and agitation is incomplete without the
strength of women.
In January 1928, a womens association was founded in Bombay with
Ramabai, Ambedkars wife, as its president.
On 20th July 1942, The All India Dalit Mahila conference was organized and
25,000 women attended that conference.
Gaining inspiration and encouragement from Dr. Ambedkar, many women
wrote on topics like Planning, Buddhist philosophy and such other topics.
Women also wrote plays, autobiographies, and participated in Satyagrahas.
Tulsabai Bansode started a newspaper Chokhamela. This showed how Dr.
Ambedkar created awareness among poor, illiterate women and inspired them
to fight against the unjust social practices like child marriages and devdasi
system.
Sc Women still being paraded nude.
Supreme court on baba ambedkar.
Oppression and lack of opportunities because of caste. Same can be extended to
women gender based
Multi dimensional, visionary, reformist
[Link]
[Link]
later on amendments are still being made for making the provisions of hindu laws
more egalitarian and women fovaourable. Gender neutral law- one of the biggest
legacy of ambedkar
ardent fan of equality liberty fraternity
Ambedkar criticized the traditional and conservative values and made Manu, the Hindu
lawgiver, responsible for the decline of the status and dignity of women in India. According to
him, egalitarian principles prevailed during the Buddhist period and it was a revolutionary act on
part of the Buddha to have allowed women to take sanyasi of Parivraja (nun hood) as a member
of the sangha. Under the Brahminic theory, women and shudras were not eligible for
knowledge and thus sanyas. In allowing women to become bhikunis (nuns), the Buddha not only
opened for them the way to liberty, he also allowed them to acquire dignity independent of sex
[1]1
Indian women in the Pre-Manus time could rise to the high pinnacles of learning and
education. 2
various roles- all for championing the cause of equality .
He discussed a number of problems of Indian women and sought solutions in the Bombay
Legislative Council, in the Viceroys Executive Council as the Labor Member, in the
Constituent Assembly as the Chairmen of the Drafting
Committee and also in Parliament as the first Law Minister of
independent India.
It is in the interest of the nation that the mother ought to get a
certain amount of rest during the pre-natal period and also
subsequently and the principle of the Bill is based entirely on
that principle. That being so Sir, I am bound to admit that the
burden of this ought to be largely borne by the government, I
am prepared to admit this fact because the conservation of the
peoples Welfare, is primarily the concern of the government.
And in every country, therefore, where maternity benefit has
been introduced, you will find that the government has been
subjected to a certain amount of charge with regard to
maternity benefit.
Iconoclast views on birth control and maternity benefits put him ahead of his time.
1 Ambedkar. The Rise and fall of Hindu Woman, BheemPatrika Publications, Jullundur, 1980; 17-19.
2 Ibid. p. 21.
The present keen struggle of life renders timely marriage
impossible for many and thus exposes them to various
diseases and habits. Many women become invalid for life and
some even lose their lives by the birth of children in their
diseased condition or in too rapid succession. Birth control is
the only sovereign specific remedy that can do away with all
these calamities. Wherever, a woman is disinclined to bear a
child for any reason whatsoever, she must be in a position to
prevent conception and bringing forth progeny, which should
be entirely dependent on the choice of women. Society would
in no way profit by the addition of unwanted progeny [6].3
But I insist that if you want to be with the rest of us, you
must give up your disgraceful life. You must marry and settle
doun normal domestic life as women of other classes do not
continue to live under conditions, which inevitably drag you
into prostitution.4
For a uniform civil code for all religions. Relevance to the present scenario supreme court recent judgment.
Ambedkar favored the uniform code of laws and in this
context he said in the Constituent Assembly, We have a
uniform criminal code, law of the transfer of the property,
Negotiable Instruments Act. This would prove that this
country has practically a civil code, uniform in its content and
applicable to the whole of the country. The only province the
civil law has not been able to invade so far is marriage and
succession. He challenged the statement that Muslim Personal
law was immutable and uniform throughout the whole of
India. He showed that the Shariat law was not applicable to
the North-West Frontier Province up to 1935. He added it
would not be open any Muslim to say that the framers of the
Civil Code had done great violence to the sentiments of the
Muslim Community. The fear is nullified.5
After the adoption of the Constitution, Ambedkar was
entrusted with a new responsibility-the Hindu Code Bill. He
revised the Hindu Code prepared by the Raus Committee and
submitted to the Constituent Assembly (Legislative) in
October, 1948. The work of revising and codifying the Hindu
Law was going on for ten years. The Bill had been in and out
of the Comports of the Code Bill relation to Joint Family and
Womens Property became a nightmare to most of the
3 Vasant Moon (ed.) Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches,Government of Maharashtra Publication, 1982, II(1). p. 264.
4 Addressing women from depressed classes in Bombay The Times of India of June 17, vide Bhagwan
Das (ed.)thusspoke Ambedkar, 1936, III(195).
5 Constituent Assembly Debates, III, 550-51.
members of the Select Committee.6
Traditions and moderation were at loggerheads, sanctimonious concepts were at grips with social
progress; and learning was pitted against the revolutionary intellect. The authority of shastra was invoked on both sides.
The Hindu Code Bill introduced only four new things in the
then existing law. They were abolition of the doctrine of the
rights by birth, right over property to woman, share to
daughters from the parents property and provisions for
divorce. Also it insisted upon the consent of the wife to the
adoption of a son by the husband. A daughter was permitted
to be adopted. The provisions dealing with the Joint Family
property included the abolition of the rule of pious obligation
and the liability to pay primary debts which belong to the
family. This from todays perspective is nothing new but was considered as o=iconoclast at that point of time 7
reading the ancient and traditional rights so as to secure and promote the interests of women
In this resignation speech, Ambedkar clarified, The Hindu
Code was the greatest social reform measure ever undertaken
by the legislature in the country. No law passed by the Indian
legislature in the past or likely to be passed in the future can
be compared to it in point of its significance. To leave
inequality between class and class, between sex and sex,
which is the soul of Hindu society untouched 1 and to go on
passing legislation relating to economic problems is to make a
force of our Constitution and to build a palace on a dung heap.
Ambedkars resignation speech see- half hearted or no will of Prime minister
A few months before the incident Justice Gajendragadkar of
the Bombay High Court, a famous jurist and Sanskrit scholar,
in course of his speech on Hindu Code Bill before the
students of the Karnataka University, had said, If Ambedkar
gives us Hindus our Code, his achievement would go down in
history as a very eloquent piece of poetic justice indeed.
Social engineering through law.
To make a grund norm- one uniform principal document of the country requires a deep understanding of the patterns and
problems of the society. To do it in a compelx diverse diaspora of the nation as that of india is even a greater achievement.
6D. Keer, Ambedkar: Life and Mission, Bombay, 1967,396.
7 G.S. Lokhande, B.R. Ambedkar: A Study in SocialDemocracy, New Delhi, 1982, 152-54.
The contents of Ambedkars concept of social justice included unity
and equality of all human beings, equal worth of men and women,
respect for the weak and the lowly, regard for human rights,
benevolence, mutual love, sympathy, tolerance and charity towards
fellow being. Humane treatment in all cases dignity of all citizens,
abolition of Caste distinctions, education and property for all and good
will and gentleness, He emphasized more on fraternity and emotional
integration. His view on social justice was to remove man-made
inequalities of all shades through law, morality and public conscience,
he stood for justice for a sustainable society8
She has been used just like a machine for procreation. It has also been
mentioned in Hindu Shastras that women is the bond slave of her
father when she is young to her husband when she is middle aged and
to her son when she is mother9.
His Determination to improve he status of women can be seen.
A society where women, i.e., the half of the population, enjoy a low
status of women in Indian society is primarily due to the fact that they
have no control over material and social resources. This is further
compounded by lack of participation opportunities in the decision
making process of the family10
Religious equality also. Did not differentiate Hindu and Muslim women.
Spoke against polygamy n purdah system 11
Ambedkar had a great visionary, he always thought far ahead his
contemporaries, he rightly identified that the progress of the
community is measured by progress of women. He said so in his
address in the All India Depressed Classes womens conference held at
Nagapur on July 20, 1942. He identifies that marriage is a liability and
says let each girl who marries stand up to her husband claim to be
her husbands friend equal and refuse to be his slave12
8 Purohit B.R, Sandeep Joshi, Social justice in India Rawat Pub, Jaipur, 2003, P.189.
9 D.C Ahir The Legacy of Ambedkar [Link]. Delhi, 1990, P.129
10 Purohit B.R, Sandeep Joshi Social justice in India Rawat Pub, Jaipur, 2003, P.209
11 B.R. Ambedkar on Pakistan or Partition of India Vol 8, P.226.
Dr.B. [Link] mission in life was to challenge the ideological foundations of
graded system of caste hierarchy that denied equality, freedom and human dignity to
women in Hindu society. He believed that society should be based on reason and not
on atrocious tradition of caste system.
On December 25, 1927 at a Conference of Depressed Classes held at Mahad, Dr.B.
[Link] made a bonfire of Manusmriti in presence of more than fifty women to
protest against the discrimination of women and untouchables upheld by it. At the
end of the Conference, Dr. Ambedkar also addressed a meeting of about three
thousand women of the Depressed Classes, the first meeting of its kind in modern
India and urged them to dress well and live a clean life. Do not feed your spouse and
sons if they are drunk. Send your children to schools. Education is necessary for
females as it is for males.13
Dr.B. R. Ambedkars approach to womens empowerment is entirely different from
other social reformers like Mahatma JyotibaPhule, Raja Ram Mohan Roy, Ishwar
Chandra Vidyasagar and Mahatma Gandhi who tried to reform the Hindu society of
certain outdated customs and practices without questioning the hierarchical social
order. His approach also differed from Bhakti movement which preached brotherhood
without attacking the iniquitous Hindu social order that was based on graded system
of caste hierarchy.
Encouraging the participation of women
In January 1928, a womens association was founded in BombaywithRamabai,
Ambedkars wife as its president. Along with the Depressed Classes Conference in
Nagpur in August 1930, women also had their separate conference. In the famous
Kalaram temple entry movement at Nasik launched in March 1930, about five
hundred women participated in the non-violent Satyagraha and many of them were
arrested along with men and ill-treated in jails. To face tortures along with their men,
women also organized their SamataSainik Dal. When Dr. Ambedkar returned to India
after attending the Round Table Conference in 1932, hundreds of women were
present for the committee meetings. At various places, depressed classes womens
conferences were held and they began to present their demands assertively. The
encouragement by Dr.B. [Link] empowered women to speak out boldly their
12 Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar writings and Speechs. vol.17, part-3, P.283
13Keer, Dhanjay (2009), Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Life and Mission, PopularPrakashan,
Bombay
feelings. In a press conference held in 1931, RadhabaiVadale said, we should get the
right to enter the Hindu temples, to fill water at their water sources. We call these
social rights. We should also get the political right to rule, sitting near the seat of the
Viceroy. We do not care even if we are given a severe sentence. We will fill all the
jails in the country. Why should we be scared of lathi-charge or firing? On the
battlefield does a warrior care for his life? It is better to die a hundred times than live
a life full of humiliation. We will sacrifice our lives but we will win our rights14 The
credit for this self-respect and firm determination of women goes to [Link].
I am a great believer in womens organizations. I
know what they can do to improve the condition of society if they are convinced. In
the eradication of social evils they have rendered great services.15
Fearlessness to call a spade a spade. Present day politicians must take a leaf out of his life.
Todays feminist discourse must take account of the view of baba
He strongly advocated for family planning measures for women in Bombay Legislative
Assembly. In 1942, being a Labour Minister of Executive Council of Governor General, he
introduced a Maternity Benefit Bill. He provided several provisions in the constitution for
protecting the welfare and civil rights of women. He introduced the Hindu Code Bill in the
Parliament and highlighted the issues about womens property right. The bill received strong
opposition from many political leaders. In turn, Dr. Ambedkar resigned from the cabinet
expressing his discontent over non acceptance of womans right by the parliament. Besides,
he highlighted the issues of Muslim women. His secular perspective is known through his
thoughts on Purdah (Veil) system, religious conversions and legal rights for Muslim women.
In short, along with the depressed class women, his thoughts for emancipation of all the
women are expressed with same allegiance 2.
The greatest example of it was seen in Kamathipura. There was a person named David who
was the mediator working in brothel. He left his profession persuaded by the thoughts and
teachings of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He evoked the entire prostitute to give up their
profession and lead the life of honour.- find source
Article14 - Equal rights and opportunities in political, economic and social spheres. Article 15
prohibits discrimination on the ground of sex. Article 15(3) enables affirmative discrimination
14More, Vijay G (2011), Dr. B. R. Ambedkars Contribution for Womens Rights,Variorum,
M Multi-Disciplinary e-Research Journal, Vol.02, Issue I, August.
15 ibid. no. 6, p. 352
in favour of women. Article 39 Equal means of livelihood and equal pay for equal work.
Article 42 Human conditions of work and maternity relief. Article 51 (A) (C) Fundamental
duties to renounce practices, derogatory to the dignity of women. Article 46 The state to
promote with special care, the educational and economic interests of weaker section of
people and to protect them from social injustice and all forms of exploitation. Article 47
The state to raise the level of nutrition and standard of living of its people and the
improvement of public health and so on. Article 243D (3), 243T (3) & 243R (4) provides for
allocation of seats in the Panchayati Raj System.
I should like draw attention of the house to one important fact. The great political
philosopher Burke who wrote his great book against the French Revolution said that those
who want to conserve must be ready to repair. And all I am asking this House is: If you want
to maintain the Hindu system, Hindu culture and Hindu society, do not hesitate to repair
where repair is necessary. This Bill asks for nothing more than to repair those parts of the
Hindu system which have become dilapidated.
Find source
In the condolence message, on Ambedkars death in parliament, Prime Minister Jawaharlal
Nehru said Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a symbol of revolt against all oppressive features
of Hindu society.
What did other people say of him
Unity is meaningless without the accompaniment of women. Education is fruit-less
without educated women, and Agitation is incomplete without the strength of
women.
Ambedkars vision for womens place can be seen from the consitutuiiinal
Left a deep imprint through his
