Today when we discuss gender equality or women related issues, we are either considered “modern” , “liberalist”  or feminist, on a remarriage of divorced or widowed woman, some people still have raised eyebrows. However, few of us know that these issues were legally and  socially acknowledged way back in 1948 by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar through Hindu Code Bill.

On birth anniversary of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, lets reminisce lesser known role of Dr. Ambedkar in his crusade for  women’s rights and their development in the society. Hindu Code Bill was about widow remarriage, women’s right to seek divorce and remarry if she wishes to, woman’s right to property. When Hindu Code Bill was not accepted, in his resignation speech Dr. Ambedkar said, “To leave inequality between class and class, between sex and sex, which is the soul of Hindu Society, untouched and to go on passing legislation relating to economic problems is to make a farce of our Constitution and to build a palace on a dung heap. This is the significance I am trying to attach to the Hindu Code.”

Dr. Ambedkar raised his voice for the liberation of women through his newspapers ‘Mook Nayak’ and ‘Bahishkrit Bharat’. Through his writing he discussed issues like gender inequality prevalent in Hindu society and the need of women’s education to raise their social status. He involved women in his social reform movements against wrong social practices and demanded socio-economic and political rights for the depressed classes and women. As he said, “with political democracy we need social democracy too.”

Dr. Ambedkar argued in favour of the Maternity Benefit Bill and said, “It is in the interest of the nation that the mother ought to get a certain amount of rest during the prenatal period and also subsequently the principle of the bill is based entirely on the principle that being so Sir, I am bound to admit that the burden of this ought to be largely borne by the government. I am prepared to admit this fact because the conservation of the people’s welfare is primarily the concern of the government. And in every country, you will find that the government has been subjected to a certain amount of charge with regard to maternity benefit.” Not only maternity benefit but he also talked about how birth control is important to recognize the dignity of women.

Dr. Ambedkar advised women to get married only when they are financially able or independent. As in one of his speeches he said,”A woman should stand by her husband as a friend and equal and refuse to be his slave. He reminded women that having too many children might not be a good idea. The paternal duty lies in giving each child a better start than its parents had.”

The Hindu Code Bill issue helped the reawakening of feminist movement in India. It inspired the women leaders in parliament to keep the issue alive until its enactment as it was the starting point for women to recognize and pursue their rights by acquiring strength from second wave of feminism that started in the early 1960s.During this time, NGOs and organizations started emerging to help woman against prevalence of these issues; stating the need and importance of such organizations Dr. Ambedkar said, “I am a great believer in women’s organizations. I know what they can do to improve the condition of society if they are convinced in the eradication of social evils they have rendered great services”.

References:

1. http://www.legalservicesindia.com/article/article/dr-b-r-ambedkar%C3%A2%E2%82%AC%E2%84%A2s-role-in-women-empowerment-1611-1.html

2. http://samyukta.info/site/node/225