An in-depth study of the thoughts of Babasaheb Ambedkar on the social, economic and legal system of India, this book examines the relevance of Ambedkar’s thoughts today when societies have disparities and are going through conflicts. It deals with aspects of Ambedkar’s life, his social and economic philosophy, contribution to social justice, and his struggle for rights of weaker sections in society.
The volume deals with the social condition and political rule in the pre-Buddhist era and later till the sixth century ce, the origin and flourishing of the caste system in ancient times, and untouchability. It explores the meaning of some basic terms like “justice”. It views the Constitutional provisions regarding ensuring equality of all peoples and abolition of untouchability and explains how Ambedkar helped to establish the Constitutional rights of the SCs and the STs and the backward classes. A special focus is on the reservation issues and the judicial stand on them. It showcases the Supreme Court of India’s reinterpretation of Ambedkar’s vision and philosophy of social justice in its decisions concerning reservation. It throws light on the new concept of social justice that the judiciary has emphasized over the decades with stress on positive human rights.