Thousands of people gathered at Deekshabhoomi in Chaityabhoomi to mark Ambedkar’s birth anniversary

Thousands of followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were packed with Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur and Mumbai on Monday (14 April 2025) to commemorate the 134th anniversary of the main architect of the Indian Constitution. |Photo source: Vivek Bendre

Thousands of followers of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar were packed with Deekshabhoomi in Nagpur and Mumbai on Monday (14 April 2025) to commemorate the 134th anniversary of the main architect of the Indian Constitution. The day observed with profound reverence, cultural plans and tributes.

In Nagpur, people began to arrive from various parts of India on Sunday evening, and Deekshabhoomi witnessed a large crowd from the early morning. Ambedkar embraced Buddhism on this historic site in 1956 and launched a huge social and religious movement. Followers line up to provide floral tributes among the stupa and the preserved ash of Ambedkar.

Members of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Smarak Samiti gave etiquette tribute at 10 a.m.

At the same time, Chaityabhoomi of Mumbai was cremated in 1956 and also witnessed huge steps. Located in Dadar, the memorial has become a central pilgrimage site for the Ambedkarites, which arrive in large numbers every year to pay tribute. The Maharashtra government and the Mumbai citizen authorities have made special arrangements, including medical battalions, water facilities and traffic management, to handle the influx of tourists.

The followers waited patiently for hours to pay tribute and shouted “Jai BhimBrihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Police deployed more than 1,000 personnel and set up temporary facilities on site. ”

“Babasaheb is committed to fighting for our rights,” security guards originally from Varanasi, now reside in Santacruz. “Even today’s air we breathe freely is because of his struggles. However, his dreams are still not fulfilled, especially as we see the current government’s priorities, such as Ram Mandir’s spending, increasingly obscures basic sectors like education.”

Another security guard from Uttar Pradesh, Ayodhya Prasad Sharma, had a similar view. “Ambedkar is a light of guidance. He taught us the importance of education and showed us the way forward. His teachings are the reason many of us are here today.”

For civil sector workers from Rajasthan now reside in Andheri, Ambedkar’s influence is closely linked to the legacy of Kanshi Ram, founder of Bahujan Samaj party. “Babasaheb played a role in reducing caste discrimination, but Kanshi Ram brought that legacy,” he said. “If it weren’t for Kanshi Ram, most of Ambedkar’s work might not have reached the grassroots level.”

Khar resident Ankit Ambedkar, originally from Uttar Pradesh, responded to the emotional resonance of the day. “To me, Babasaheb is similar to God.” The efforts of BSP are crucial in promoting equality. Our houses are adorned with pictures of social reformers such as Savitribai Phule and Babasaheb Ambedkar, reminding us of their sacrifices. ”

On March 30, Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Deekshabhoomi before Ambedkar Jayanti, where he paid tribute to Stupa and said that the establishment of a “developed and inclusive Bharat” would be a true tribute to Ambedkar’s legacy. Several politicians from all sides paid tribute to Ambedka on his birth anniversary.

(with input from intern Niranjan Krishna)