3 years ago
Ambedkar Jayanti was celebrated in India by neo-buddhist followers. Ambedkar was an Indian leader, influential during the colonial era and post-independence period of India. Every Year, the birthday of Bhim Rao Ambedkar is celebrated as Ambedkar Jayanti on the 14th of April.
Dr Ambedka was born in Mhow in Madhya Pradesh, India. He was born to Subedar Ramji Maloji Sakpal and Bhimabai Sakpal as the 14th and last child. He studied at the University of Bombay, Columbia University and London School of Economics. He is also known as “Father of Indian Constitution”.
In Nagpur on 14 October 1956, he conducted large numbers of conversion where Untouchable Hindus, mostly Mahars and Jatavs aka Chamars, started converting to Buddhism.
This socio-political movement among Dalits in India was started by B. R. Ambedkar. It radically re-interpreted Buddhism and created a new school of Buddhism called Navayana.
The movement was launched in 1956 by Ambedkar where nearly half a million Dalits, so-called untouchables converted to Navayana Buddhism.
After suffering from diabetes and getting bedridden, Ambedkar died in his sleep on 6 December 1956 at his home in Delhi. This was Three days after completing his final manuscript The Buddha and His Dhamma.
