Constitution Day: Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's Statue unveiled at Supreme Court Premises

New Delhi - The Supreme Court of India made history on Sunday as it unveiled the statue of the father of the Indian constitution, Babasaheb Ambedkar, on its premises.

The statue was revealed during the Constitution Day Celebrations 2023, and many respected figures from various fields were invited by the court through personal invitations. Droupadi Murmu, President of India was the chief guest of the event. The venue for the special celebration was the auditorium on the third floor of Block-C inside the Additional Building Complex.

Sculpted by artist Naresh Kumawat, the statue, standing at a height of 7 feet, portrays Baba Saheb dressed in attire befitting a lawyer. In his hands, he holds a symbolic copy of the Constitution. The statue is elevated on a 3-feet base, adding to its overall stature and significance. The choice of depicting Baba Saheb in a lawyer's dress emphasizes his pivotal role in the framing of the Indian Constitution, highlighting his dedication to legal principles and his instrumental role in shaping the nation's foundational document. The statue is placed in the Supreme Court’s front lawn and garden.

The decision to install a statue of Dr. Ambedkar is a response to persistent requests from a coalition of Ambedkarite lawyers. This initiative addresses one of the three primary requests put forth by the Ambedkarite legal community.

As outlined in their memorandum, these lawyers have been championing the establishment of a dedicated committee focused on caste sensitization within the Supreme Court. This committee aims to protect lawyers and registry staff from Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes backgrounds who face caste-based discrimination.

Additionally, the Ambedkarite lawyers have been advocating for the permanent inclusion of Ambedkar Jayanti, observed on April 14, as an official "court holiday" in the Supreme Court's annual schedule.

In September 2023, the Supreme Court Arguing Counsel Association (SCACA) formally submitted a request supporting the installation of the statue.

Constitution Day, also known as 'Samvidhan Divas,' is observed annually on November 26 in India to commemorate the adoption of the Constitution of India. Recognized as National Law Day, this celebration marks the momentous occasion when, on November 26, 1949, the Constituent Assembly of India officially embraced the Constitution, with it subsequently coming into effect on January 26, 1950.

The primary objective of this day is to underscore the significance of constitutional values among Indian citizens and foster awareness about the pivotal role played by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the architect of the Indian Constitution.

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