Dr. Ambedkar’s advocacy resonates far beyond India’s borders: Mos Athawale tells the UN

Dr. Br Ambedkar and Dr. Ramdas Athawale, Minister of Social Justice of the International Society, told the United Nations audience that Dr. Br Ambedkar is more important than ever compared to the international community’s collective efforts to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. “Dr Ambedkar’s life is not merely a chapter in Indian history-it is a beacon for all humanity. Born into adversity, he transcended every barrier imposed by caste, poverty and colonial oppression to become a global advocate for equality, dignity and democracy. His advocacy resonates far beyond the borders of India, making him an icon for the modern human rights movement,” Athawale said.

Athawale delivered a keynote speech at a special event organized by India’s permanent mission to the United Nations headquarters on Monday to commemorate the 134th anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar.

Athawale added: “When we gather here under the banner of the United Nations, we recognize that Dr. Ambedkar’s principles and competition for leadership, representation and human rights – an effort to achieve the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals in our collective efforts is more important than ever.”
United Nations envoys, officials, Indian diaspora and members of civil society participated in the “Eternal Attraction of the United Nations and beyond”.

Athawale highlighted that Dr. Ambedkar’s life continues to inspire transformation at all levels of society, noting that as the custodian of his legacy, the Ministry of Social Justice and Authorization has taken decisive and systematic steps to transform the ideals of the iconic Indian leader into transformative action. He told the audience that the ministry oversees a variety of programs and policies aimed at making historically marginalized communities, especially arranged castes, other backward classes, older people, transgender people and people with disabilities.

Athawale highlights some of the Ministry’s flagship initiatives, including the National Overseas Scholarship Program for the pre-determined caste, landless agricultural workers, who provide adequate financial support to seek higher education in prestigious institutions abroad; Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi (pm-daksh) Yojana Yojana Yojana, through demand-driven vocational training through youth power of marginalized groups, making them participants in the transition of the economy in India; and the Smile Program for marginalized individuals supports livelihoods and businesses – catering to socio-economic advancement and rehabilitation in transgender communities, as well as those engaged in begging behaviors, ensuring dignity and opportunities through livelihood support and counseling. Athawale stressed that each of these initiatives is not a plan, it is “a commitment to bridge hundreds of years of exclusion and to ensure that every citizen, regardless of birth, has access to justice, education, opportunity and dignity.” India represented in his speech, the permanent representative of UN Ambassador P Harish said that Dr Ambedkar saw democracy as a way of life, and that its institutional mechanisms and pillars were not the end of the passage through the fraternity.

“Global, this is a vision to make a multilateral system animation for the United Nations representative – how to ensure that the moral framework of the UN Charter guides the international order and interaction between people and states so that we have no justice and equality and no states stay.”

Dilip Chauhan, deputy commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of International Affairs, said Ambedkar’s ideals transcend borders and time, creating strong connections in the UN Hall and New York City in New York City, built by immigrants and united in opportunity and inclusion by its diversity and unity. He added that Dr. Ambedkar “shows us that inclusion is not a pampering, but a fundamental right. He teaches us not to face injustice silently, but to face injustice in a solidarity. His legacy forces us to force us to build bridges across cultures, expand the voices of oppressed people, and challenge their systems of persistent inequality in any situation,” Chauhan said. ”

Chauhan announced that New York City Mayor Eric Adams was announced on April 14, 2025 as Dr. BR Ambedkar Day of New York City, whose 8.5 million residents celebrate the day.

Deelip Mhaske, president of the Human Horizon Foundation, said it was one of the most transformative equality and civil rights champions in the world, and was announced as ‘Dr.’ Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day’. Mhaske said the announcement recognizes Dr. Ambedkar’s towering legacy in a historic community that promotes democracy, dignity, women’s empowerment and justice.

Mhaske thanked Adams, noting: “This declaration is not just symbolic, it is a moral declaration that positions New York as a global capital for human rights and justice.”

Dr. Santosh Raut, visiting professor at Harvard Theological School, said Ambedkar will have four times more information about the world today – about democracy, deeper harmony, oppression and discrimination and peace.

“Ambedkar will urge us and organizations such as the United Nations to strengthen participatory mechanisms to traditionally exclude voices in decision-making,” Rat said.