The following things have been named after Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, an Indian jurist, economist, politician and Social Reformer, who inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement and campaigned against social discrimination towards the untouchables (Dalits) and founded Navayana Buddhism.
Many films have been made on Ambedkar's life and thoughts, which are as follows:
Dr.B.R. Ambedkar's birthday Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated every year on 14 April as a big festival all over India. This is the biggest festival for Every Indian and also for the Buddhists of Maharashtra . Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated as Knowledge Day by the Government of Maharashtra. [192] [193] [194] Because Dr. Ambedkar, a polymath , is considered a "symbol of knowledge ". [195] [196] [197]This day has been declared as a public holiday all over India. Honorable tributes are paid every year by the President and Prime Minister of India (including leaders of other political parties) to his statue in New Delhi, Parliament. Buddhists, Dalits and other Ambedkarite people greet him like a god by keeping his idol or picture in front of his house. On this day, people parade their idols in front of them, they also enjoy dancing by playing drums. Apart from India, Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated in more than 65 countries of the world. In 2016, Ambedkar's 125th birth anniversary was celebrated in 102 countries and at the United Nations , [198] [199] where the United Nations called him the 'Father of the World'. [200] [201]The United Nations has been celebrating Ambedkar Jayanti since 2016. [202] [203] The first birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was celebrated by Sadashiv Ranpise on 14 April 1928 in Pune . Ranpise was a follower of Ambedkar. He started the practice of Ambedkar Jayanti and on this occasion many rallies were taken out in a chariot and on a camel by placing Babasaheb's statue in the ambari of an elephant. [204] [205]
Maharashtra Government has declared Ambedkar's School Admission Day, November 7, as Vidyarthi Divas , which is celebrated in every school and junior college in the state. Because despite being a great scholar, Ambedkar remained a student throughout his life. [206] [207] Various programs including lectures, essays, competitions, quiz competitions, poetry recitations based on Ambedkar's life are organized in all the schools and junior colleges of Maharashtra. [208] [209]
Indian Constitution Day (National Law Day) is celebrated on 26 November in honor of Ambedkar . The first formal Constitution Day was celebrated on 26 November 2015, as per the instructions of the Government of India , the 125th birth anniversary of Ambedkar. [210] The day 26 November has been chosen to spread the importance of the Constitution and to spread the ideas and concepts of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar.
People often protest vandalism of Ambedkar statues,[4][5][6] with the 2006 Dalit protests in Maharashtra being a notable instance.[7] Another such protest led to the 1997 Ramabai killings.