New Delhi: The nation celebrated 133rd birth anniversary of Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar with deep respect and admiration for his enduring legacy as a champion of social justice and reform.

Swayam Sainik Dal, (SSD), a collective of Ambedkarites and Buddhists, conducted a rally and an event to mark the day. The rally was supposed to start from 9:00 a.m. in the morning but due to "inconveniences" caused by the police, it started from 10:00 a.m.

According to Ashwin Kumar, a member of the SSD, the rally which started from Ambedkar Bhawan at Rani Jhansi Road, went by foot till Parliament Marg. Even though the permission for the march was supposedly taken two months back, the police allegedly obstructed the rally on the day itself.

After an hour of negotiations, permission was provided. Slogans were hurled and chants regarding Ambedkar echoed through the lanes of Central Delhi. After reaching Parliament Marg and paying tribute to the statue of Babasaheb, the collective took up a car rally, which reached Ambedkar Sports Complex at Trilok Puri at around 3 p.m.

There, discussions on caste and its treatment were undertaken and the members of the collective delivered speech on the importance of the teachings of Babasaheb.

Last year, during the event organized by the SSD, almost 50,000 people embraced Buddhism. This year, there was no provision for conversion. On being asked the reason behind it, Kumar said they will be going to every corner till 2028 to “preach the teachings of Buddhism and the ideals of Babasaheb Ambedkar and talk about the caste-system”.

The programme that will take place in 2028 in Mumbai at Chaityabhoomi will commemorate the time Ambedkar accepted the religion and will see “crores of people” doing the same.

On the other hand, multiple organizations such as Dalit Adivasi Adhikar Manch (DASAM), National Alliance of People’s Movement, Shehari Mahila Kamgaar Union and many more celebrated Ambedkar Jayanti at Sansad Marg from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.

The Mooknayak talked to Ashok, who is the president of DASAM regarding the celebration. He stated that various stalls were set up at the marg where book stalls were set up which provided people the opportunity to buy literature on Dalit, Adivasi movements as well as the environment and other social causes.

“A number of students showed up because such literature is generally not available in the market,” the president stated.

Political Leaders on Ambedkar Jayanti

President of India Droupadi Murmu expressed her respects by laying floral tributes at the statue of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, marking his birth anniversary at Parliament House Lawns in New Delhi.

The event, attended by dignitaries and citizens alike, served as a reminder of Dr. Ambedkar's enduring legacy and his pivotal role in shaping the fabric of Indian society.

Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) issued a press release on April 14, 2024, in honor of the birth anniversary of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

The press release by B.S.P. highlighted the significance of Dr. Ambedkar's mission as a beacon of hope for millions of marginalized individuals in India. It emphasized the party's commitment to continuing his legacy of social justice and empowerment for the Bahujan community.

The release also criticized the traditional casteist parties for their exploitation of Dr. Ambedkar's legacy for electoral gains while neglecting the welfare of his followers. It pointed out the failures of both the Congress and BJP governments in addressing issues of inflation, poverty, unemployment, and backwardness, which continue to plague the country.

B.S.P. urged voters to consider these crucial factors during the ongoing Lok Sabha elections and to vote for a government that upholds Dr. Ambedkar's constitutional ideals and prioritizes the welfare of all citizens, especially the marginalized communities.

Furthermore, the release highlighted B.S.P.'s track record in Uttar Pradesh, where it worked towards removing the ban on government jobs for the general category and filling backlog posts through special campaigns, thereby benefiting numerous families and tackling unemployment.

The 133rd birth anniversary of B.R. Ambedkar in Kalaburagi, Karnataka, saw widespread celebrations. Political leaders, including MP Umesh Jadhav and Minister Priyank Kharge, paid homage by laying floral tributes at his statue.

The city was adorned with colourful lights at key locations, drawing visitors' attention. Processions and rallies culminated at the main venue near Ambedkar Statue, while various organizations conducted blood donation and health camps. Volunteer groups provided refreshments to the public across the city.