Dhammachakra Pravartan Day

Why is in news? 66th Dhammachakra Pravartan Day being celebrated at Deeksha Bhoomi in Nagpur

In Maharashtra, the 66th Dhammachakra Pravartan Day is being celebrated with full zeal and fervor at DeekshaBhoomi in Nagpur.

Architect of the Indian Constitution Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on the day of Viajaydashmi on 14th October 1956 with lakhs of his followers at Dikshabhoomi in Nagpur.

From that date, the day is celebrated as DhammaChakra pravartan day.

To pay their respects to the Central memorial of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, on the occasion of DhammaChakra pravartan day, millions of followers have reached Deekshabhoomi from all corners of the country and state.

Stalls of books, Buddhist literature and artifacts are arranged in DeekshaBhoomi premise where many followers are flocking to buy the books.

B.R. Ambedkar: He was (14 April 1891 – 6 December 1956) was an Indian jurist, economist, social reformer and political leader.

He was born on 14 April 1891 in Madhya Pradesh in Hindu Mahar Caste. He had to face severe discriminations from every corner of the society as the Mahar caste was viewed as "untouchable" by the upper class.

He headed the committee drafting the Constitution of India from the Constituent Assembly debates, served as Law and Justice minister in the first cabinet of Jawaharlal Nehru, and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement after renouncing Hinduism.

In 1990, the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award, was posthumously conferred on Ambedkar.

In 1936, he founded the Independent Labour Party.

His first organised attempt was his establishment of the central institution Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha, intended to promote education and socio-economic improvement, as well as the welfare of “outcastes”, at the time referred to as depressed classes.

For the defence of Dalit rights, he started five periodicals –

1Mooknayak (the leader of the dumb, 1920)

2Bahishkrit Bharat (Ostracized India, 1924)

3Samta (Equality, 1928)

4Janata (The People, 1930)

5Prabuddha Bharat (Enlightened India, 1956)