Context: The death anniversary of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar is recognized as Mahaparinirvan Diwas every year on 6 December.

What does Parinirvana mean? 

• Parinirvana represents a fundamental concept in Buddhism, signifying the attainment of nirvana or liberation during one’s lifetime and even after death. 
• In Sanskrit, achieving nirvana posthumously or releasing the soul from the body after death is called Parinirvana.

About  Dr. BR Ambedkar:

• Birth: April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh

• Father of the Indian Constitution: He was the Chairman of the Drafting Committee and is remembered as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
• Literary Contributions: Annihilation of Caste, The Problem of the Rupee: Its Origin and Its Solution”, “Thoughts on the Linguistic States”, “The Buddha and His Dhamma” 
  • In 1916, he wrote his thesis ‘National Dividend for India — A Historic and Analytical Study’ and received his Ph.D. Degree.
• Economic Contributions: The Central Bank was formed on the concept presented by Babasaheb to the Hilton Young Commission.
• Associated Organizations:
  • Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (Outcastes Welfare Association) (1923).
  • Independent Labor Party (1936)
  • Scheduled Castes Federation (1942)
• Social: He worked towards putting in place political safeguards for untouchables, the first of which was his presentation to the Southborough Committee that was preparing the Government of India Act 1919.
  •  He argued fervently for separate electorates for the ‘backward classes’,
  • In 1927, a Depressed Classes Conference was organized at Mahad, located in Raigad district. 
  • He attempted to pass the Hindu Code Bill, to reform Hindu personal laws that dictated matters like marriage, divorce, succession and adoption.
• Constituent Assembly Membership: In 1942, he was appointed to the Executive Council of the Governor General of India as a Labour member, in 1946, he was elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal.
• Parliamentary Life: Ambedkar was also a nominated member of the Bombay Legislative Council from 1926-34.
  • BR Ambedkar was appointed as the first Law Minister of independent India in 1947. 
  • In 1951, he resigned from his ministership, expressing his differences on the Kashmir issue, India’s Foreign Policy and Nehru’s Policy towards the Hindu Code Bill.
• He participated in all three Round Table Conferences.
• Honors: Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar was conferred with the title of “Bodhisattva” by the Buddhist monks at the “Jagatik Buddhism Council” in 1954 in Kathmandu, Nepal.
  • Under the V.P. Singh Government, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was honored with ‘Bharat Ratna’, the highest civilian award in 1990. 

News Source: India Today