Authors : Jitendra Ganesh Weekey
Page Nos : 76-81
Description :
Dr. Ambedkar’s view on women’s oppression, social democracy, caste and Hindu social order and philosophy, significant to modern Indian Feminist thinking.
The purpose of this study is to review the role of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, in the life of women. In ancient India, women enjoyed a very high position but gradually their position degenerated into merely objects of pleasure meant to serve certain purpose. They lost their individual identity and even their basic human rights. Many social reformer had to fight for the rights of women, but they were able to provide them social status in some extent. It was Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar, who fought for the upliftment of women, and made them aware about the importance of education and their fundamental rights. Because he knew that, education can play important role in the life of women. And until women get education, she will be unable to get proper place in society.
It was Manu, who propagated superstitions and wrong notions about women in his “Manusmriti”. Dr. Ambedkar opposed this lower Hindu social system, and burnt “Manusmriti”, in the presence of 3,000 women. As a chairman of drafting committee, Baba Saheb made lot of provisions for the rights of women, and introduced Hindu Code Bill, in the parliament, where long discussions were made over the women issues and Babasaheb had to face strong opposition of conservative upper caste people, Congress Party and Gandhiji. But he never bowed to them, and has been convincing them with his profound knowledge, and succeeded in his goal. Ambedkar paved the way for Indian Women to legally vote, divorce, and own property. He was indeed a feminist.
