Opinion On Ambedkar Jayanti, remembering Babasaheb, the champion of women’s rights

Ambedkar’s most important contribution to the cause of women’s rights was the Hindu Code Bill. This was drafted with the intent of revolutionising property and marriage practices, and establishing laws of maintenance, amongst others, for women. Four acts, resulting from the Bill, were passed: The Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, which gave women the right to divorce and maintenance; the Hindu Succession Act, 1956, which gave them the legal right to inherit property; the Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act, 1956, which allowed women to legally adopt a child; and the Hindu Minority and Guardianship Act, 1956, which allowed women to be the natural guardian of their children. The influence of these reforms led to other pro-women Acts such as the Equal Remuneration Act of 1976 and the Dowry Prohibition Act of 1961 which brightened the dark roads of women’s struggles.

Through the drafting of the Hindu Code Bill, Ambedkar addressed a broad spectrum of issues that demeaned women. He abolished the idea of birthright to property and unequal ownership of property, facilitated the conversion of half ownership to full ownership, supported the abolition of caste in matters of marriage, and addressed taboo topics such as polygamy and divorce. Two unprecedented clauses that were also part of the Bill led to the restitution of conjugal rights and judiciary rights, which enabled women to consciously make divorce a choice.

Empowerment helps in building the character of a person and education helps them feel confident and self-reliant. Ambedkar regularly spoke up for women’s right to education and defied the Manusmriti and the Dharmashastra. He emphasised the need for education and believed that it was crucial for the country’s progress. Unlike other reformists of the time, Ambedkar targeted the hierarchical social order and condemned it for degrading women. He believed that endogamy was the root cause of caste consolidation. His 1917 paper, titled ‘Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development’ outlines how atrocities on women are rooted in the caste system. He denounced sati, child marriage, and the condemnation of widow remarriage, which were all meant to control women. These strategies were all devised to ensure that women did not marry outside of their caste.

Hence, looking at the various causes he championed for women, it is unfair to limit Ambedkar’s contributions to that of Dalit upliftment. It disregards the work he did to empower all sections of marginalised communities. He reformed the justice system and critically engaged with Brahmanical power structures. On the day that we celebrate him, we must also recognise his work that brought women to the centre of the development process. Ambedkar’s three magical words “educate, agitate and organise” are powerful even today. His vision of equality despite caste, gender, race, and ethnicity differences is a pioneering thought of social justice. Women’s rights and their liberation are crucial for building a progressive society. Ambedkar’s values and vision continue to guide feminist principles in India. His words, “Unity is meaningless without the accompaniment of women. Education is fruitless without educated women and agitation is incomplete without the strength of women” continue to resonate even today.

The writer is a PhD scholar in sociology and Director, Gyan Niketan Girls School