Philosophers/Thinkers/ Social Reformers MPPSC... · Mahavir said that, "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially

•

•

• •

•• •

Philosophers/Thinkers/ Social Reformers

• • ••• ••• •

• • •

••••••••• •••••••••••••••• •••••••

•

• • •

•

MP

DDDCASCS

ETHICSPART - 1

Mahavira

Facts:

� Name: Vardhamana � Birth: 599 B.C. � Birth Place: Kshatriyakund, Vaishali (in modern day Bihar) � Parents: King Siddhartha and Queen Trishala� Spouse: Yashoda � Children: Priyadarshana (daughter) � Titles: Mahavira, Trirthankar, Jina

� Lord Mahavir was the twenty fourth and last Tirthankara of the Jain religion of this era.

� According to Jain philosophy, all Tirthankaras were human beings but they have attained a state of perfection or enlightenment through meditation and self-realization.

Significant points of Teachings of Lord Mahavir:

� Mahavir made religion simple and natural, free from elaborate ritual complexities. His teachings reflected the internal beauty and harmony of the soul.

� Mahavir taught the idea of supremacy of human life and stressed the importance of the positive attitude of life.

� At the heart of right conduct for Jains lie the five great vows: Nonviolence (Ahimsa) not to cause harm to any living beingsTruthfulness (Satya) to speak the harmless truth onlyNon-stealing (Asetya) not to take anything not properly givenChastity (Brahmacharya) not to indulge in sensual pleasure

Philosophers/Thinkers/Social Workers/Reformers

Contact us at: www.mppscadda.com Telegram :t.me/mppscadda WhatsApp : 7982862964

MMPPPPPSCADDAADADDADDay Bihar)

ADADCACASCA

A

SCPSenty fourth and l

PSilosophy, al

PPenlightenment t

MPof Teachings

Mvir made religMreflected

MPPSCADDA

Non-possession/Non-attachment (Aparigraha)

complete detachment from people, places, and material things

� Mahavir said that, "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially has perfect perception (Anant darshana), perfect knowledge (Anant jnana), perfect power (Anant virya), and perfect bliss (Anant sukha). Mahavir's message reflects freedom and spiritual joy of the living being.

� Mahavir emphasized that all living beings, irrespective of their size, shape, and form how spiritually developed or undeveloped, are equal and we should love and respect them. This way he preached the gospel of universal love.

� Mahavir rejected the concept of God as a creator, a protector, and a destroyer of the universe. He also denounced the worshiping of gods and goddesses as a means of material gains and personal benefits.

Gautam Buddha

Facts:

� Born: Lumbini, Nepal � Died: Kushinagar� Full name: Siddhartha Gautama � Spouse: �� Parents: ��, Maya

� Buddhahood or Buddhatva is the state of perfect enlightment attained by a Buddha. This refers to the universal and innate property of absolute wisdom.

� Symbols of 5 great events of Buddha’s Life:

a) Buddha’s Birth: Lotus & Bull.

b) The Great Departure (Mahabhinishkramana): Horse.

c) Enlightment (Nirvana): Bodhi Tree.

d) First Sermon (Dhammachakraparivartan): Wheel.

e) Death (Parinirvana): Stupa.

� Four Noble Truths:


MPMPPSCASCA

SCPSCma

PSCADAA

ove an

DADAprotector, and

DDand goddesses

DDAD

PPSMaya

PPCA

PPMPhood or BuddhatvMuniversal and inM5 gr

MPPSCADDA

a) Sorrow: The world is full of sorrow and everything from birth to death brings sorrows in life

b) Cause of Sorrow: The cause of sorrows is desire. It is the un-fulfillment of human desires which leads him to the vicious cycle of births and rebirths.

c) Prevention of Sorrow: It is possible to prevent sorrow. Man can get rid of sorrow by triumphing over the desires.

d) The path of Prevention of Sorrow: Man can avoid sorrow by avoiding extremes of life and following middle path or Madhyam Patipada. The life of moderation and self-control along with pursuance of 8 fold path is essential to prevent the sorrow.

� The Eightfold Path of Buddhism: They are also called the Middle Path and is the system of following these eight divisions of the path to achieve spiritual enlightenment and cease suffering:

a) Right understanding: Understanding that the Four Noble Truths are noble and true.

b) Right thought: Determining and resolving to practice Buddhist faith.

c) Right speech: Avoiding slander, gossip, lying, and all forms of untrue and abusive speech.

d) Right conduct: Adhering to the idea of nonviolence (ahimsa), as well as refraining from any form of stealing or sexual impropriety.

e) Right means of making a living: Not slaughtering animals or working at jobs that force you to violate others.

f) Right mental attitude or effort: Avoiding negative thoughts and emotions, such as anger and jealousy.

g) Right mindfulness: Having a clear sense of one’s mental state and bodily health and feelings.

h) Right concentration: Using meditation to reach the highest level of enlightenment.

� Buddhist Literature:

a) Sutta Pitaka: It contains over 10 thousand suttas or sutras related to Buddha and his close companions.

b) Vinaya Pitaka: The subject matter of Vinay Pitaka is the monastic rules for monks and nuns.

c) Abhidhammapitaka: It deals with the philosophy and doctrine of Buddhism appearing in the suttas.


MPPSCADDAADA

Path and is

DApiritual enlight

DDA

DDFour Noble Truth

ADpractice Bu

CADp, lying, and

CASCAe idea of nonv

SCsexual impropriety

PSCaking a living: N

PPSthers.

PPntal attitude

MPPnd jealous

MPt mindfulnes

MPfeelings.Mht conc

MPPSCADDA

� The triple jewel: The Buddha knew it would be difficult for people to follow his teachings on their own, so he established the Three Refuges for them to rely on. If a person wants to become Buddhists take refuge in and rely on the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha. These are known as the Triple Jewel. The Sangha are the monks and nuns. They live in monasteries and carry on the Buddha's teaching. The word Sangha means 'harmonious community'. The Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha together possess qualities that are precious like jewels and can lead one to enlightenment.

� The five precepts: All religions have some basic rules that define what good conduct is and what kind of conduct should be avoided. In Buddhism, the most important rules are the Five Precepts. These have been passed down from the Buddha himself.

1. No killing Respect for life 2. No stealing Respect for others' property 3. No sexual misconduct Respect for our pure nature 4. No lying Respect for honesty 5. No intoxicants Respect for a clear mind

� Nirvaana: Is the end of all suffering, the cessation of desire. The state of enlightenment achieved by the purified spiritual seekers.

� Pratityasamutpada commonly translated as dependent origination, or dependent arising, states that all dharmas ("things") arise in dependence upon other dharmas: "if this exists, that exists; if this ceases to exist, that also ceases to exist." It is a pragmatic teaching, which is applied to dukkha (suffering) and the cessation of dukkha.

The principle is applied in the twelve links of dependent origination doctrine in Buddhism, which describes the chain of causes which result in rebirth and dukkha. By breaking the chain, liberation from this endless cycles of rebirth and dukkha can be attained.

Guru Nanak

Facts:

� Date of Birth: April 15, 1469 � Place of Birth: Rai Bhoi Ki Talva (present day Punjab, Pakistan)� Date of Death: September 22, 1539� Place of Death: Kartarpur (present day Pakistan) � Successor: Guru Angad � Famous As: Founder of Sikkhism


MMPPPSCADDAAAmportant

DAothers' propertythers' property or our pure natureor our pure nature

ct for honestyct for honesty espect for a clear mpect for a clear

CAg, the sati

SCAers.

SCtranslated as dep

PSCin depende

PSalso ceases to e

PPSd the cess

MPPapplied in the tw

MPe chain of c

MPs endless cycles ofM

MPPSCADDA

� Guru Nanak was the founder of Sikhism, one of the youngest religions. Guru Nanak became the first Sikh Guru and his spiritual teachings laid the foundation on which Sikhism was formed.

� Guru Nanak did not support monasticism and asked his followers to lead the life of honest householder. His teachings were immortalized in the form of 974 hymns, which came to be known as ‘Guru Granth Sahib,’ the holy text of Sikhism.

� Nanak had played a very dominant role in the Bhakti movement of medieval India. Both Sufism and Bhakti had contributed to the development of Nanak’s religious philosophy. So his teachings were composite by nature comprising of the noblest principles of Hinduism and Islam. At the same time he discarded the retrograde elements of both religions.

� Nanakji taught that if God was to be found, he would be found in the inner chambers of human heart. If man is intoxicated enough with the name, memory and thought of God, he would experience Him in his own self. For Nanakji such a person was a true yogi and a true Brahmin, not the one who wore orange robes for appearance sake or someone who was born into a Brahmin caste.

� Nanak Dev castigated ostentatious display of religiosity and superficial observation of religious conduct. He laid emphasis on inner virtue and adherence to truth, sincerity and honesty in devotion to God.

� Guru Nanak did not advocate ascetic life as a way to salvation. He himself led a normal life, amidst society, in touch with people of his time, though he was completely God centered and detached from the world and its ways.

� The three guiding principles to spiritual life

1. Vand Chhakkna: Always share what you have with others. Help those who are in need.

2. Kirat Karna: Earn money honestly and without ever resorting to fraud or exploitation.

3. Naam Japna: Always remember God and practice ceaseless devotion to Him by constantly chanting His name.

KabirFacts:

� Born: Lahartara near Kashi

� Died: Maghar

� Known for: influencing the Bhakti movement, Sant Mat and Kabir Panthmovements. Hymns in the Guru Granth Sahib


AAh religio

DAfound in the inn

DAme, memory and

DDch a person wa

DDppearance sake o

ADy of religiosit

CAon inner virtue a

SCascetic life as a

PSCpeople of h

PSd and its ways.

principlesprinciples to spiritto

MPPkna: Always shar

MPna: Earn mon

Mam Japna: AlwaMHis name.M

MPPSCADDA

� Occupation: weaver, poet

� Kabir was one of the chief exponents of the Bhakti movement in the medieval period.

� The central teachings of Kabir are very simple.

a) He laid stress 'Bhakti'.

b) He said that through Bhakti or devotion one would come nearer to God; one could be released from the cycle of birth and death only by sincere love and devotion to God, which he called Bhakti.

c) He sincerely tried to emphasise the unity of Islam and Hinduism by preaching those virtues which were common to both religions.

d) He made no distinction between Hindus and Muslims.

e) To Kabir Allah and Rama were but different names of the same supreme being. To him Hindus and Muslims were "pots of the same clay".

f) According to Kabir salvation could be attained by doing good deeds or by means of Bhakti or sincere devotion to God.

� Against Idol Worship: He did not believe in idol worship. He was also against the performance of rituals and superstitions or pilgrimage to the so called holy places.

� Against the Caste System: Kabir denounced the caste system. He said that there should be no discrimination on the basis of caste. He rejected the authority of both the Veda and the Koran. He laid great emphasis on the equality of a men. He preached a religion of love which aimed at promoting unity amongst all castes and creeds.

� He was full of humility and the first saint to reconcile Hinduism and Islam. Kabir's teachings are contained in his Dohas. The devotional songs or 'bhajans' of Kabir called Kabir Doha. Those Dohas are in the form of short poems in the Bijaka, sacred book of the Kabir Panthis, the followers of Kabir.

� Kabir was a firm believer in the unity of God. He preached his teachings among the people in Hindi. His devotional bhajans or Dohas appealed most to the common men, Hindus as well Muslims.


MSCA

AAd d

DADAduism by prea

DDA

ADDims.

ADs of the sa

CADme clay .

CAbe attained by

CASCot believe in idol

PSCpilgrimage t

PPSem: Kabir denou

PPthe basis of

MPPmphasis on the e

MPunity among

MPs full of humilitMned in hiMth

MPPSCADDA

� He wanted man to give up pride, anger, enmity and ego. He appreciated brotherhood, which ultimately directed towards reaching the main objectives: "Love of God" and "Love of humanity".

Tulsidas

Facts:

� Born – Rambola

� Died - Assi Ghat, Varanasi, Awadh Subah, Mughal Empire (present-day Uttar Pradesh, India)

� Literary Works - Ramcharitmanas, Vinaya Patrika, Geetawali, Dohavali, Sahitya Ratna, Hanuman Chalisa, Vairagya Sandipani, Janaki Mangal, Parvati Mangal, and others

� Tulsidas was a Hindu poet-saint, reformer and philosopher renowned for his devotion to the god Rama. A composer of several popular works, he is best known as the author of the epic Ramcharitmanas, a retelling of the Sanskrit Ramayana in the vernacular Awadhi.

� Tulsidas wrote in Hindi rather than Sanskrit and made accessible the same message of truth, devotion and God realization that all true saints convey.

� The works of Tulsidas are about Sri Ram, with two exceptions: Krishna-gitavali and Parvati-mangal. Tulsidas’s magnum opus, the Ramcharitmanas, is the story of Sri Ram retold in mellifluous language—an outburst of bhakti based on his own spiritual experiences. Although the origin of the Ramcharitmanas lies in the Valmiki Ramayana, its immediate source is the Adhyatma Ramayana.

� Tulsidas’s other long works include the following:

a) Dohavali, written in Brajbhasha and containing 573 verses in the Doha and Soratha metres. A variety of subjects are dealt with in this work, including religion, bhakti, ethics, love, discrimination, the nature of saints, and the glory of Sri Ram and the name of God

b) Kavitta Ramayana, or Kavitavali, containing the story of Sri Ram in 369 stanzas in the Kavitta, Savaiya, Chhapyaya, Jhulana, and some other metres. It is very popular owing to its style and disposition. It describes the majestic side of Sri Ram.

c) Gitavali, a collection of 330 songs set to different ragas—Kedara, Soratha, Lalita, Chanchari, and others—where the depth of mood is brought to the fore in preference to philosophy. It portrays the tender aspect of Sri Ram


MPPSCADDAent-dayay Uttar PraUttar Pra

wali,ali, Dohavali,Dohavali, SahSaMangal,angal, Parvati MaParvati M

DDADDrosopher re

ADworks, he is be

CARamayana

n Sanskrit and maanskrit and maat all true saints coat all true saints c

PSCe about Sri Ram

PSgnum opus, the

PPSan outb

PPhe Ramcharitm

MPPa Ramayana

as’s other long woas’s other long woMwrittenM

MPPSCADDA

d) Vinay-patrika, with 279 hymns and prayers, is a book of petitions in the court of King Rame) Krishnavali, or Krishna-gitavali, has 61 songs on Sri Krishna.

� The following are his shorter works:

a) Vairagyasandipini, which deals with the nature of dispassion

b) Ramlala-nahachu, verses for nahachu, a ritual performed at the time of yajnopavita, sacred-thread ceremony, and marriage

c) Ramajna-prashna, verses for an auspicious beginning to a journey or a task

d) Barvai Ramayan, a small poetic composition in the Barvai metre

e) Janki-mangal and Parvati-mangal, which describe the marriages of Sita and Parvati

f) Hanuman Bahuk, an appendix to Kavitavali containing prayers to Hanuman; and Hanuman-chalisa, forty rhymes in praise of Hanuman.

� At that time there were four major secretive cults that cultivated the practice of supernatural powers: the Vedic sacrificial, the Tantric, the Natha, and the Mahanubhava. It is natural that common people will equate religion with occultism. Tulsidas’s teachings bailed out religion from this pitfall and made it plain and simple. He emphasized living a virtuous life and developing human perfection, as opposed to supernatural achievement.

� Tulsidas' doctrine has been described as an assimilation and reconciliation of the diverse tenets and cultures of Hinduism.

Raja Ram Mohan Roy

Facts:

� Born: 22 May 1772 in Radhanagar, Hugli district of Bengal � Parents: father Ramakant Roy and mother Trivani Devi � He is considered as the architect of Indian Renaissance and father of modern India. � He died of meningitis in Bristol, England on 27 September, 1833.

� At the beginning of 19th century, India was plagued by various social evils such as Sati pratha, Caste system, Religious superstitions etc. Raja Ram Mohan Roy was the first person who recognized these inhuman practices and decided to fight against the same.


MP22 May 1772 in 22 May 1772 inather Raather Ra

PPSCCA

AADADAages of Sita and

DDg prayers to Ha

ADD

ADcults that cultivat

CADNatha, and th

CAwith occultism. Tu

CAand simple. H

SCA

opposed to sup

PSCscribed as a

Pm.

PPRoy

re

PP

MPPSCADDA

� Raja Ram Mohan Roy was very open minded and was of very questioning brains.

� He was very much influenced by western progressive thoughts.

� He was also well versed in the teachings of various religions. He was influenced by monotheism of Islam, Mysticism of Sufi philosophy, Ethics and morals of Christianity and Vedanta philosophy of Upanishad.

� His main focus was towards the evils which had surrounded the Hindu society of the times, such as:

a) He criticized idol worship of Hindus and tried to prove his point through the verses of Vedas

b) But the main contribution for which Raja Ram Mohan Roy is still remembered was his relentless efforts in abolishing the practice of Sati Pratha.

� He began a movement to abolish this barbaric custom and for that purpose he persuaded the British Government to pass an Act abolishing Sati Pratha; the Bengal Sati Regulation Act, 1829was passed by Lord William Bentinck, the then Governor General of Bengal

� On August 20, 1828, Raja Ram Mohan Roy established the Brahma Samaj, which later became the Brahmo Samaj, an organization and a movement with the objectives of promoting monotheism, criticizing idol worshiping; opposing wide spread Brahmanism and uplifting the pitiful condition of women etc.

� Other Important Works:

a) In 1820, he published a book named Percepts of Jesus: The Guide to Peace and Happiness; in this book Ram Mohan Roy explained the simplicity and morality of Christian religion

b) He also started publishing two newspapers viz. Samvad Kaumudi and Prgya Chaand in the year 1821 to spread his ideas and views to the common people

c) He also started a Persian newspaper “Miratul- Akhbar'


PS

AAindu

DADDAoint through the

ADDan Roy is still rem

ADCAbarbaric custom a

CAolishing Sati P

SCA

nck, the then Go

PSC

Ram Mohan Ro

PSn organization a

PPS

izing idol w

MPP of women etc.

MPmportant Works:M publisM

MPPSCADDA

d) Apart from these, Roy also helped in the establishment of one Vedanta College and the Hindu College in Calcutta.

Swami Vivekanand

Facts

� Born on 12 January 1863 in Calcutta.

� Parents: Vishwanath Datta and Bhuveneshwari Devi

� Swami Vivekananda died on 4 July 1902 while in meditation at Belur Math, Bengal, India.

� He was not only a social reformer but also an educator. His contribution to educational thought is of supreme importance if education is observed as the most powerful instrument of social change.

� According to Swami Vivekananda education should cover all aspects of life – material, physical, moral, intellectual, spiritual and emotional, as education is a constant process. For him, education defines as ‘the manifestation of perfection that is already in man.’

� He suggested that education should aim at reforming the human mind; it should not be for filling some facts into the brain. Education should be the preparation of life. He once said that “Education is not the amount of information that is put into your brain and runs riot there, undigested all your life. We must have life-building, man-making, character-making, assimilation of ideas. If you have assimilated five ideas and made them your life and character, you have more education than any man who has got by heart a whole library. If education were identical with information, the libraries would be the greatest sages in the world and encyclopedias the rishis.”

� Vivekananda propagated that the essence of Hinduism was best expressed in Adi Shankara’s Advaita Vedanta philosophy. And thus, for modern education system Swami Vivekananda wanted to implement maximum emphasis on meditation and concentration in the teaching-learning process.

� His main focus was on removing the weakness of India’s youth of the time, both physical as well as mental. And to gain strength he suggested physical exercise or attaining of knowledge. For him strength is life and weakness is death; for all the problems of India whether social or political the solution is self-respect in India’s culture and philosophy.

� He was against religious dogmas and superstitions; in his speeches and lectures he continuously argued against prevailing social evils.He was more confident about women’s ability to change the fortune of India; he proclaimed that with the help of 50 women he can transform India into a modern forward looking nation.


MPPSCADDAelur Mathr Math, Be, B

DAontribution to eduontribution to

e most powerful imost powerful

d cover all aspectscover all aspectsas education is aas education is

erfection that is afection that is am at reforming thm at reforming th

ucation should bcation should t of information thnformation th

We must have We must have u have assimilatedhave assimila

on than any man won than any man wrmation, the librmation, th

he rishis.”he rishis.” propagated that propagated

Vedanta philosopdanta philosod to implement d to implement

process.process.us wus w

MPPSCADDA

� However his real contribution to India was to revive the true meaning of Hinduism; he propagated the real philosophy and culture of India to the world at the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Chicago in 1893; through his lectures and speeches all over the world proved that Hindu religion is no inferior to anyone; at

� He inculcated, in the youth of the country, a sense of proud and worth so that they could face the world with confidence.

� He was fiercely against any kind of social evil perpetuated by religious logic and dogmas and was of the view that Hindu belief in untouchability must change if the nation is to progress.

Swami Dayananda Saraswati

Facts:� Born: 12 February 1824, Tankara � Died: 30 October 1883, Ajmer � Guru: Virajanand Dandeesha � Literary works: Satyarth Prakash (1875) � Books: Rigvedadi Bhashya Bhumika, Gokaruna Nidhi � Parents: Yashodabai, Karshanji Lalji Tiwari

� Swami Dayananda Saraswati’s childhood name was Moolshankar; he was born on 12 January 1824 at Maurvi, Gujarat. He left home at the age of 21 and he kept wandering in the company of one Dandi Swami Poornananda who gave Moolshankar the name Swami Dayananda Saraswati.

� Swami Dayananda was the great believer in the teachings of Vedas; he gave the slogan: ‘Return to Vedas’. He criticized Hindu religious texts such as Puranas for perpetuating Idol worship and other superstitions. He tried to revive true Hindu philosophy and belief and argued against all wrong things being propagated in the name of Hinduism.

� He aggressively attacked social evils like Caste System by birth but he argued that it should be on the basis of occupation and work.

� He supported and advocated women’s right to education and their equal social status.

� Also, Swami Dayananda started campaign against Untouchability, Child Marriage etc.

� He supported inter-caste marriages and widow remarriages; supported Sudras and women’s right to

read Vedas and to attain high education.


MPPSCADDAADADADDA

DDADD

ADCADa Nidhi

CAwari

DA

CAchildhood name wchildhood name wleft home at the aft home at t

rnananda who gavrnananda who ga

da was the great bda was the greae criticized Hindu e criticized H

perstitions. He triestitions. He trthingsthings being probeing pr

ively atively at

MPPSCADDA

� Swami Dayananda Saraswati established ‘Arya Samaj’ in the year 1875 to propagate his ideas. Its

objective was to revive and reform Hindu religion; establishment of Vedic religion in its true form

again; to unify India socially, religiously and polit ically and to stop western cultural effects on Indian

culture and c ivilizat ion.

Babasaheb, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar

Facts:

� Born: 14 April 1891, Mhow, Central Provinces, British India (now in Madhya Pradesh, India)

� Died: 6 December 1956 (aged 65), Delhi, India

� Political party: Scheduled Castes Federation

� Other political affiliations: Independent Labour Party, Republican Party of India

� Ambedkar was very meritorious in studies and after completing his early education in Bombay moved to United States for post-graduation and research; did his post-graduation and Phd from Columbia University, New York City. He further studied at London School of Economics and completed masters and doctorate from there as well.

� Thus, Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar, in spite of several odds got the best of education from very good institutions of the world because of his talent and merit only. He also received a degree in Law

� His major contribution in eradicating social evils was fighting for the rights of the untouchables and so-called lower caste people. At the time of preparation of the Government of India Act, 1919, he advocated for the separate electorates for untouchables and other lower caste people. He demanded reservation for such communities.

� Ambedkar started several publications such as Mook Nayak, a weekly; Bahiskrit Bharat, a periodical to create awareness and to fight for the rights of untouchables and lower-castes.

� He founded Bahishkrit Hitakarni Sabha on 20 July 1924 at Bombay with the objective of creating socio-political awareness among untouchables and also for making Government sensitive towards their issues; he called upon the dalits and untouchables to “Educate, Agitateand Organize” for their rightful place in the society.

� He started to launch public movements against discriminations faced by untouchables such as opening the public water resources for untouchables, burning of Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text which gives sanction to caste-system and for the rights of lower caste people to enter into Hindu temples.


in Madhya PrMadhya P

y,, Republican PartRepublican Part

DDADr completing

ADnd research; did

CADer studied

CAm there as wel

SCA

spite of several

PSCse of his talent

PSin eradicating soc

PPSr caste peop

PPcated for the s

MPPdemanded re

MPdkar started sevMal to createM

MPPSCADDA

� In 1932, after the Third Round Table Conference in Britain in which Dr Ambedkar participated, the British announced the infamous Communal Award according to which there was a provision of separate electorate in British India for different communities; thus, Untouchables were also considered as a separate electorate; it meant that for the election to the seats reserved for the untouchables only persons who could vote were untouchables. The scheme was vehemently opposed by Gandhiji and other Congress leaders as being communal and divisive in nature which would divide Hindus into two separate groups. But Dr Ambedkar was in its favour as he was of the view that by having separate electorate more and more number of legislatures of ‘Depressed Class’ would be elected.

� After long and tedious discussions between Ambedkar and Congress leaders, Poona Pact was reached on 25 September 1932 according to which the system of separate electorate was abolished but reservation of seats for Depressed Class remained the same; hence, now untouchables would not be separate from Hindus but seats would be reserved for them. It was a major step in recognizing the political rights of untouchables within the fold of Hindu society.

� On similar lines, the Constitution of India in 1950 gave benefits of reservation to Schedule Castes and Scheduled Tribes who were earlier referred to as ‘Depressed Classes’.

� Dr Amedkar’s biggest contribution in the making of modern India was his momentous effort as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee; the most important feature of the Constitution of India is its special focus on socio-political and economic justice and equality; he forcefully advocated for the rights of women and SCs, STs and OBCs; special provisions were added for their upliftment and for eradicating various discriminations faced by them.

� Later in his life, Dr Ambedkar converted to Buddhism after getting fed-up with caste system, superstitions, rituals and discriminatory practices of Hinduism

� Therefore, all through his life, socially as well as politically, Babasaheb kept fighting against prevailing social evils of our country; his contribution towards making the downtrodden people acquire self-respect and their rightful place is immeasurable.

Note: Philosophers/Thinkers/Social Workers/Reformers Part 2 will be updated soon


MM

ADAs leaders, P

DAstem of sepa

DDAs remained the

DDseats would be r

ADDtouchables within

ADn 1950 gave ben

CADreferred to a

SCAthe making of

SCion Drafting Com

PSCcial focus on soc

PSthe rights of wo

PSment and for eradi

PP, Dr Ambedkar c

MPPs, rituals and

MPore, all through Mg social evMresp

MPPSCADDA

Documents

Philosophers/Thinkers/ Social Reformers MPPSC... · Mahavir said that, "A living body is not merely an integration of limbs and flesh but it is the abode of the soul which potentially