Dr. Birbal Jha Pays Tribute to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Emphasizes Constitutional Values at Seminar
Patna, April 15, 2025: On the occasion of Ambedkar Jayanti, a seminar titled “Indian Constitution: Ideals and Contributions of Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar” was held , where Dr. Birbal Jha, Founder of British Lingua, English Litterateur, noted author, and celebrated Social Entrepreneur who is credited with creating a revolution in English-skilling in India, delivered a thought-provoking speech on Dr. B.R. Ambedkar’s legacy and the significance of the Indian Constitution.
Dr. Jha addressed an esteemed audience, describing Dr. Ambedkar as a visionary leader and the primary architect of contemporary India’s Constitution. He emphasised that Babasaheb was more than just a legal scholar; he was also a social justice campaigner who advocated for marginalised people.
Dr. Ambedkar turned adversity into strength by rising above systemic discrimination to become the voice of the voiceless, and his contributions laid the groundwork for a just and inclusive India, said Dr. Jha, emphasising the Constitution’s transformative role in shaping democracy and ensuring equal rights for all citizens.
Dr. Jha elaborated on the essence of the Indian Constitution, which enshrines the principles of justice, liberty, equality, and fraternity in its Preamble, guarantees individual freedoms and protects against discrimination through Fundamental Rights, promotes social and economic welfare through Directive Principles of State Policy, and reminds citizens of their responsibilities through Fundamental Duties.
Dr. Jha noted that Dr. Ambedkar viewed the Constitution as a powerful instrument of social transformation, ensuring that democracy extended beyond elections into social, economic, and cultural spheres, and reiterated Dr. Ambedkar’s famous words: “Political democracy cannot last unless there lies at the base of it social democracy.”
Dr. Jha also brought attention to Dr. Ambedkar’s strong advocacy for English education, particularly among the oppressed and marginalized. He reminded the audience that Dr. Ambedkar considered English a tool of empowerment and liberation. For Babasaheb, access to English education was not merely a matter of academic advancement, but a gateway to dignity, self-expression, and equal opportunity. Dr. Ambedkar believed that English could help break the shackles of caste oppression by connecting individuals to a wider world of knowledge, reason, and justice. “Without education, liberty is meaningless,” he had asserted, emphasizing the urgent need for educational reform that included English as a vital medium for social mobility.
Expressing concerns about contemporary challenges, Dr. Jha urged citizens to remain committed to constitutional values, stating that in times when democracy and social harmony face challenges, the Constitution serves as our moral and legal compass. He further called for increased constitutional literacy and social unity, stressing the need to uphold dignity, promote fraternity, and ensure justice for all.
Dr. Jha, through his social enterprise British Lingua, has been actively working towards educational empowerment and cultural awareness. He reiterated the need to follow Babasaheb’s call to ‘Educate, Agitate, Organize’ in the pursuit of a developed and inclusive India.
Concluding his speech, Dr. Jha called upon the audience to take inspiration from Dr. Ambedkar’s legacy and work towards a ‘Viksit Bharat’—a developed India where constitutional principles are not just read but lived. The seminar concluded with an engaging discussion on the enduring relevance of the Indian Constitution and how it continues to guide the nation’s progress.
