Universal Equality Day:
Justice has always evoked ideas of equality, of proportion of compensation.
Equity signifies equality. Rules and regulations, right and righteousness are concerned with equality in value.
If all men are equal, then all men are of the same essence, and the common essence entitles them of the same fundamental rights and equal liberty…
In short justice is another name of liberty, equality and fraternity.
Freedom of mind is the real freedom. A person whose mind is not free though he may not be in chains, is a slave, not a free man.
These are some of the quotes of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar from his writings and speeches. Dr. Ambedkar was the man who believed in Equality for all. The man who’s guiding principles are based on Justice, Equality and Fraternity. He said, Equality may be a fiction but nonetheless one must accept it as a governing principle. Like Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, many in the history have worked for Equality in the World. Many have sacrificed their life because they believed that one day, we will achieve the Universal Equality. They could imagine a Bright Future Where Everyone Is Treated Equally, there will not be any discrimination based on race, gender, caste, color, Sexual Orientation, National origin and so on.
Each country, each territory, has a person who, like Dr. Ambedkar, believed that we all have a right to dignity, and respect. Yet many of these persons are unsung heroes, as they are not necessarily known outside of their own country, certainly not universally. It is time to celebrate their contribution to the society, it is time to acknowledge their vision, efforts and dedication.
Universal Equality Day is one such attempt to acknowledge the unsung heroes in the history who believed in Equality. We are interested in the world know of their achievements.
April 14, 2022, marked a historic day for the people of the world. April 14th was proclaimed Equality Day by the City of Jersey City. The US state of Colorado, Massachusetts Boston, Michigan, the Canadian province of British Columbia, and Canada and more are proclaiming this day as Equality Day to honor Dr. Ambedkar.
Dr. Ambedkar worked to endorse equality, justice, dignity, and fraternity in independent India. He was the first Minister of Law and Justice of Independent India, and was honored with the highest civilian award in India “Bharat Ratna”.
He was the first highly educated member who championed the rights of marginalized sections all his life. He received a master’s degree in 1915, a PhD in economics in 1917 from Columbia University and DSc at the London School of Economics in 1923. Many of his ideas about equality and social justice were formed during his education at Columbia. He was also awarded honoris causa LLD in 1952 as “a great social reformer and a valiant upholder of human rights” by Columbia University.
He advocated for the inclusion of women’s rights in the Constitution of India. He said, “I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved”. He led one of the largest civil rights movements in history, working to establish basic rights for hundreds of millions of marginalized community in India. The constitution of India enshrined fundamental human rights for all, preventing discrimination against any citizen on grounds only of religion, race, caste, sex or place of birth.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s contributions to economics, political science, civil rights, religious harmony and jurisprudence have had a profound impact around the world, promoting democratic values, unfettered equality, and justice for peoples of all castes, races, genders, religions and backgrounds.
Universal Equality Day is an opportunity to remember and honor the legacy of Dr. Ambedkar and remember all the champions of equality worldwide who’s dedication to equality, social justice, human rights, and dignity continues to inspire people in India and across the world.
