Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar – Promoter of Democratic Republican Thought: Prof. Dr. Vilas Adhav
Camp, 18th April 2025: “Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar was a promoter of Democratic-Republican. He urged and worked hard for a Government by the people, for the people and of the people. He always wanted the power to be in the hands of the common people, so that the welfare of the poor becomes the priority.
He struggled for the upliftment of marginalized and downtrodden sections of the society, particularly Dalit, Minorities, and Women” said Prof. Vilas Adhav. He was sharing his erudite thoughts as a Chief Guest at the Symposium on ‘Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s Thought on Women’s Rights’’ on Friday, 18th April 2025, held at AKIs Poona College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Camp, Pune. This symposium jointly organized by the Department of Economics, PG & Research Centre, Poona College of Arts, Science & Commerce in collaboration with the Department of Lifelong Learning & Extension, Savtribai Phule Pune University, Pune.
In the welcome address, Principal, Dr. Iqbal N. Shaikh welcomes the guest of the symposium. He expressed that Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was a visionary educationist and great advocate of Women Empowerment. Dr. Amjad Shaikh, Vice – Principal, presented theme of the symposium and highlighted the importance of this program.
Dr. Mukhtar Shaikh, Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Poona College was graced the symposium as Resource Person. Dr. Shaikh delivered an insightful speech on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s revolutionary thoughts on women’s rights. He emphasized on Ambedkar’s belief that the progress of a society is measured by the status of its women. Dr. Shaikh also highlighted Dr. Ambedkar’s contributions to women’s rights through his role in drafting the Indian Constitution. His writings in “Annihilation of Caste” and various articles in his journal Mooknayak emphasized the need for legal and social reforms to uplift women.
Prof. Vilas Adhav in his address highlighted the importance of the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s life and work in contemporary world scenario. He has given reference of Mahatma Jyotiba Phule, Savitribai Phule and Fatima Shaikh efforts in women empowerment through education, and their leadership.
In conclusion, Prof. Dr. Vilas Adhav said that all the predictions expressed by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in his book “States and Minorities” are reflected in the Preamble of the Constitution and the political formula of one person, one vote was achieved by the Constitution, but the increasing inequality in the social and economic sectors is increasing. He drew the attention of the audience to the warning given by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in his last speech in the Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949. He also expressed his regret that due to the widespread devaluation of constitutional morality and the full fruition of many values in the Constitution, the essence of democracy is losing its value.
At the end, in Question-Answer session, participants were allowed to engage in a meaningful discussion on policy recommendations and initiatives to promote ideas and thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar’s thoughts on Women’s Rights in today’s world.
The program was coordinated by Dr. M. Shahid Jamal Ansari, Head, Department of Economics, and was attended by faculty members and students of Poona College. The program was concluded by a formal vote of thanks by the coordinator of the program.
