Ambedkar’s Demand for Separate Electorates and Reservation in Present Times
Every year, Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on April 14 to honor the birth of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. He was a great leader, jurist, economist, and social
Ambedkar’s Demand for Separate Electorates and Reservation in Present Times Introduction Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was one of the most important leaders in Indian history, who fought for the rights of the oppressed classes. One of his biggest demands during India’s freedom struggle was separate electorates for the lower castes, especially the Depressed Classes (now known as Scheduled Castes or Dalits). This demand created a major disagreement between him and Mahatma Gandhi. Eventually, it was replaced by the reservation system , which continues to exist today. On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti 2025 , there was renewed discussion on caste issues and political representation for Dalits. This article explains what Ambedkar meant by separate electorates, why he demanded them, why Gandhi opposed them, and how reservations became the alternative. Ambedkar Jayanti 2025 Every year, Ambedkar Jayanti is celebrated on April 14 to honor the birth of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. He was a great leader, jurist, economis…