BR Ambedkar death anniversary: PM Modi pays respects- ‘His struggle gave hope…’

Babasaheb Ambedkar was conferred the Bharat Ratna - the country's highest civilian award in 1990 - 30 years after his demise.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday paid rich respects to Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar on his death anniversary, also marked as ‘Mahaparinirvan Diwas’. Remembering Ambedkar's “exemplary service to the nation”, the Prime Minister tweeted: “On Mahaparinirvan Diwas, I pay homage to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and recall his exemplary service to our nation. His struggles gave hope to millions and his efforts to give India such an extensive Constitution can never be forgotten."

BR Ambedkar death anniversary: PM Modi pays homage, ‘his struggles gave hope…’

Union Home Minister Amit Shah also paid tributes in a post, saying: “Babasaheb Ambedkar gave the country a justice-oriented, progressive, and all-inclusive constitution, which ensured the protection of the rights of every class. Babasaheb's life, full of struggles, thoughts, and achievements are a source of inspiration for all. Today, on his Mahaparinirvan day, I remember him and bow down to him.”

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said that “his thoughts and ideals are not only an inspiration for all Indians but are also the basis for building a new India”. “The work of realizing the dream he had seen for an independent India is going on,” he added.

Delhi Chief Minister and AAP convenor Arvind Kejriwal also remembered Dr BR Ambedkar. “Salute to Bharat Ratna Babasaheb Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, who fought for the rights and justice of every poor, exploited and deprived section of the society, on his Mahaparinirvan Divas,” he wrote.

Congress leader Rahul Gandhi - who is leading the Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan - also paid respects. “We are all, firstly and lastly, equals. We are all, firstly and lastly, Indians. Anything contrary to this, was unacceptable to Babasaheb, and is unacceptable to us who walk on his constitutional path. Humblest tributes to him, on his Mahaparinirvan Diwas,” he said.

Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar - also known as the ‘Father of the Indian Constitution' as he headed the committee which drafted the Constitution of India - was born on April 14, 1891. In his early career, Dr. BR Ambedkar was an economist, lawyer, and professor. Later, he was marked by his political activities and his role during India's independence.

He was conferred the Bharat Ratna - the country's highest civilian award in 1990 - 30 years after his demise.

BR Ambedkar breathed his last on December 6, 1956.