New Delhi, 6 December (H.S.): On the 70th Mahaparinirvan Diwas of Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar — the principal architect of the Indian Constitution — President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the nation in paying tribute to the revered social reformer at a solemn ceremony held in the Parliament complex on Saturday.

Vice President C.P. Radhakrishnan, Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju, and several Members of Parliament joined the ceremony to offer floral tributes at Ambedkar’s statue. The event was marked by reverence and dignity as leaders across party lines honoured the memory of the Bharat Ratna awardee.

Vice President Radhakrishnan, in his tribute, said, “On Mahaparinirvan Diwas, I pay my humble homage to Bharat Ratna Dr. B.R. Ambedkar — the chief architect of our Constitution and a staunch champion of social justice. His relentless pursuit of equality, dignity, and fraternity laid the foundation of a modern, inclusive India. His visionary ideas will continue to guide our national journey towards a just and harmonious society.”

Prime Minister Modi, in a post on X (formerly Twitter), wrote, “Dr. Ambedkar’s visionary leadership and unwavering commitment to justice, equality, and constitutionalism will forever illuminate our national progress. As we move toward building a developed India, his ideals will continue to guide our path.”

Union Ministers Nitin Gadkari, Manohar Lal Khattar, and Shivraj Singh Chouhan also paid tributes, recalling Dr. Ambedkar’s lifelong dedication to building a society founded on equality and welfare. Khattar described him as “a timeless advocate of social harmony who devoted his life to the upliftment of the marginalized.”

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge and senior leader Rahul Gandhi joined in remembering Ambedkar’s legacy. Kharge noted that Dr. Ambedkar’s ideals “continue to guide India’s journey toward justice and equality,” while Gandhi stated, “His eternal legacy of equality, justice, and human dignity strengthens my resolve to protect the Constitution and inspires our collective movement toward a more inclusive and compassionate India.”

Several chief ministers also paid homage. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath hailed Ambedkar as “the foundation of Indian democracy” whose vision of a society based on equality, liberty, and fraternity “remains a guiding light.”

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami offered floral tributes at his residence, saying Ambedkar’s principles inspired his government’s implementation of the Uniform Civil Code “as a step toward social harmony and justice.”

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta lauded Ambedkar’s “immortal contribution to social reform and empowerment of the marginalized,” reaffirming her government’s commitment to building an inclusive, equitable society.

Aam Aadmi Party chief Arvind Kejriwal, in his post on X, said, “Dr. Ambedkar gave us the path of equality, justice, and the Constitution — the true pillars of democracy. The real tribute to him is to build an India where every citizen enjoys equality, dignity, and opportunity.”

Born on April 14, 1891, in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh, Dr. Ambedkar earned doctorates from Columbia University and the London School of Economics before dedicating his life to social reform, education, and the empowerment of marginalized communities. He passed away on December 6, 1956 — a date observed every year as Mahaparinirvan Diwas across India.

---------------

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar