Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was not only the architect of the Indian Constitution but also a visionary who laid the foundations for an inclusive and progressive India. Through various organizations, he championed the cause of social justice, education, political representation, and religious freedom. This article explores the legacy of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar organizations founded — a powerful testament to his enduring mission to uplift the marginalized and reshape the nation’s destiny.
Bharat Ratna Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, a towering figure in Indian history, dedicated his life to uplifting marginalized communities and advancing the nation’s prosperity. He founded numerous organizations across social, educational, political, and religious domains, leaving a lasting impact on society.
In this article, we explore the Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar organizations founded, highlighting their contributions to not only the oppressed but also the broader community.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a globally recognized intellectual and a remarkable social reformer. His journey in the socio-political arena began in 1919-20 and continued with unwavering passion until his last breath. The organizations he established remain active today, driving progress in social, educational, political, and religious spheres.
Dr. Ambedkar’s Organizations: A Legacy of Empowerment
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar founded a total of ten organizations, categorized into three social, three educational, three political, and one religious initiative. Below, we delve into each category to understand their purpose and impact.
1. Social Organizations
Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar established three social organizations to uplift the marginalized, particularly the untouchables, providing them with social and educational opportunities.
Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (1924)
Founded on July 20, 1924, in Mumbai, the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha (translated as the “Association for the Welfare of the Outcastes”) aimed to spread education among lower castes and improve their socio-economic conditions.
On January 4, 1925, the organization launched a hostel in Solapur, offering shelter, food, clothing, and educational materials to Dalit and poor students. Dr. Ambedkar secured a grant of 40,000 rupees from the Solapur Municipality for this initiative. The Sabha also started the Saraswati Vilas magazine and a free library.
The organization sought to ignite a social movement for the upliftment of untouchables, who were denied civil, religious, and political rights. Dr. Ambedkar’s goal was to awaken Dalits to their rights, and he submitted a letter to the Simon Commission demanding reserved seats for backward classes based on nomination.
He also advocated for their recruitment into the army, navy, and police. Through the Sabha, schools, hostels, and libraries were established for the welfare of the excluded.
Samata Sainik Dal (1927)
On March 19, 1927, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar founded the Samata Sainik Dal (Equality Soldiers’ League), an organization still active today, comprising Ambedkarite volunteers. The idea was announced during a conference in Mahad on September 24, 1924, before the historic Mahad Satyagraha.
Key events like the Chavdar Tank Satyagraha and the burning of the Manusmriti in 1927 marked Dr. Ambedkar’s efforts to challenge societal inequality and awaken the oppressed.
As upper castes resisted this new wave of self-respect, attacks on untouchables in villages increased. The Samata Sainik Dal was established to protect people, strengthen the movement, and ensure the success of the Mahad Satyagraha.
After Babasaheb’s passing, his daughter-in-law, Meera Ambedkar, took over the Buddhist Society of India in 1977, and the Samata Sainik Dal came under her leadership in 1982.
Today, under Meera Yashwant Ambedkar’s guidance, volunteers are visible at memorials like Deekshabhoomi and Chaityabhoomi during key Buddhist events such as Ambedkar Jayanti, Buddha Jayanti, Mahaparinirvan Divas, and Dhammachakra Pravartan Divas.
Bombay Scheduled Castes Improvement Trust (1944)
On July 29, 1944, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar founded the Bombay Scheduled Castes Improvement Trust in Mumbai to uplift the untouchable community. Prior to its formation, he initiated a building fund for a central social center, collecting 45,095 rupees through contributions of two rupees from men and one rupee from women in the Dalit community.
With 36,535 rupees, he purchased a 2,332-square-yard plot on Gokuldas Pasta Road in Dadar-Naigaon, Mumbai, on October 10, 1944. The remaining funds established the Trust, which also built a temporary site office.
This building became the hub of Ambedkar’s movements. His private printing press, initially in Naigaon, was relocated here after damage during communal riots, with Babasaheb paying 50 rupees monthly as rent to the Trust.
Though the Trust aimed to create a community center, challenges prevented this. The Mumbai Municipal Corporation reserved the plot for a secondary school, and a three-story plan with ground-floor parking was approved, named “Ambedkar Bhawan.” Offices of Dr. Ambedkar’s grandsons—Prakash, Bhimrao, and Anandraj—were located in the parking area.
2. Educational Organizations
A highly educated scholar, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar believed education was key to empowerment, famously stating, “Education is the milk of a tigress, and whoever drinks it will surely roar like a tiger!” He established institutions to provide education to all, especially the marginalized.
Depressed Classes Education Society (1928)
Founded on June 14, 1928, the Depressed Classes Education Society aimed to spread education among untouchables. It secured approval from the Bombay government for five hostels in Panvel, Thane, Nashik, Pune, and Dharwad, benefiting high school students from marginalized communities.
People’s Education Society (1945)
The People’s Education Society, established on July 8, 1945, is a leading educational organization focused on spreading higher education, especially to backward classes and the lower middle class, including untouchables.
It launched Siddharth College of Arts and Science in Mumbai (1946), Milind College in Aurangabad (1950), Siddharth College of Commerce and Economics (1953), and Siddharth Law College in Mumbai (1956). Today, the society operates over 30 colleges nationwide.
Training School for Entrance to Politics (1956)
On July 1, 1956, Dr. Ambedkar started the Training School for Entrance to Politics to educate students in parliamentary democracy. He appointed Siddharth College librarian S.S. Rege as its head. However, six months later, on December 6, 1956, Babasaheb passed away, and the school closed.
Though inspired by Babasaheb, the separate Ambedkar School of Politics was inaugurated on October 3, 1945, in Pune, but it couldn’t achieve significant milestones in the Ambedkarite movement.
Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar organizations founded
- Read also: 40+ Dr Ambedkar Quotes on Education
3. Political Organizations
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, a key figure in Indian politics, is celebrated as a architect of the Indian Republic and the Father of the Constitution of India. His political legacy, spanning 1926 to 1956, includes roles as legislator, opposition leader, parliamentarian, and minister.
Independent Labour Party (1936-1942)
The Independent Labour Party, founded on August 15, 1936, was Ambedkar’s first political party, with its manifesto published in The Times of India.
In the 1937 Bombay Legislative Assembly election, the party fielded 15 candidates and supported two others, winning 13 seats. Dr. Ambedkar, elected from Mumbai, became the Leader of the Opposition, achieving significant legislative work during his 1937-1942 tenure.
Scheduled Castes Federation (1942-1957)
Established on July 19, 1942, the Scheduled Castes Federation aimed to boost Dalit representation in politics.
An evolved form of the Independent Labour Party, it was led by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar until his passing. Leaders like Rao Bahadur N. Shivraj and P.N. Rajbhoj served as president and general secretary.
As a member, Dr. Ambedkar framed the Constitution and became India’s first Law and Justice Minister. The party won seats in the 1952 Lok Sabha and various state assemblies.
Republican Party of India (1957)
In May 1956, Dr. Ambedkar announced the dissolution of the Scheduled Castes Federation and the formation of the Republican Party of India (RPI). After his passing, followers formalized it on October 3, 1957, in Nagpur, with N. Shivraj as president.
The RPI won six seats in the 1957 Lok Sabha election, marking its peak success. Later, factions emerged, with Union Minister Ramdas Athawale’s group being the strongest today.
- Read also: Political Career of Dr. Ambedkar (1918-1956)
4. Religious Organizations
A religious scholar, Dr. Ambedkar studied faiths for over three decades and embraced Buddhism in 1956 with millions of followers, earning the title “Modern Emperor Ashoka” for reviving Indian Buddhism.
Buddhist Society of India (1955)
The Buddhist Society of India, also known as the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha, was founded on May 4, 1955, in Mumbai to promote Buddhism. Dr. Ambedkar, its first president, announced its mission at a ceremony in Mumbai’s Nare Park on May 8, 1955. After his passing, his son Yashwant Ambedkar led it from 1957 to 1977.
Today, different factions of the Bharatiya Bauddha Mahasabha, led by Bhimrao Yashwant Ambedkar (Babasaheb’s grandson), and Rajratna Ashok Ambedkar (Babasaheb’s great grand-nephew) continue the legacy.
- Read also: Family tree of Ambedkar family
5. Newspapers
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar also published newspapers to amplify his socio-political mission:
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Mooknayak (January 31, 1920)
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Bahishkrit Bharat (April 3, 1927)
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Samata (June 29, 1928)
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Janata (November 24, 1930)
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Prabuddha Bharat (February 4, 1956)
Dr. Ambedkar’s organizations and initiatives continue to inspire and empower, shaping a more equitable India.
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Summary: A Lifelong Mission of Liberation and Progress
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar founded multiple organizations spanning four critical domains: social upliftment, educational empowerment, political representation, and religious transformation. Each organization reflected his deep commitment to justice, equality, and nation-building. From the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha to the Buddhist Society of India, Ambedkar’s institutions continue to inspire generations working toward a more equitable and awakened India. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar organizations founded
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