The CJI also promised to look into the demand to install a statue of Dr.Ambedkar within the Supreme Court's premises.
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THE Chief Justice of India, Dr. D.Y. Chandrachud this morning paid homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the draftsman of the Indian Constitution, on the occasion of his Mahaparinirwan Diwas. CJI Dr. Chandrachud accompanied by Justice B.R. Gavai arrived at the library-I in the Supreme Court premises to light a candle and pay floral tribute to Dr. Ambedkar.
Senior advocates Indira Jaising and Dr. K.S. Chauhan with advocates Pratik Bombarde, and Reepak Kasal, who is also a Joint Treasurer of the Supreme Court Bar Association(SCBA) among others, were present during the program.
Interacting with advocates, Dr. Chandrachud said "I am so glad to be here. Personally, I have the highest regard for Dr. Ambedkar who is the architect of our Constitution. Whatever we are today is because of his vision."
Responding to the request of advocates Bombarde, Jitendra Kumar, and Abhishek Kumar seeking to install a statue of Ambedkar inside the Supreme Court premises, the CJI Dr. Chandrachud said he would certainly look into the matter.
"Inside the Supreme Court, there are two statues, one is of Lokmanya Bal Gangadhar Tilak and another is of Mahatma Gandhiji (which was donated by Late Dr. L.M.Singhvi), but there is no statue of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar who is not only revered as the emancipator of crores of downtrodden/marginalised people of India but Father of Indian Constitution and First Law Minister of India", the representation to CJI in this regard reads.
A group of Ambedkarite lawyers organised the programme. It is done by them every year on the death anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar. A similar program is also organised every year on the birth anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, that is, on April 14.
Ambedkar was an Indian jurist, social reformer and political leader, who headed the drafting committee for the Constitution. He also served as Union Law and Justice Minister in the first Cabinet of Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and inspired the Dalit Buddhist movement after renouncing Hinduism. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian honour of India, posthumously in 1990.
In Buddhism, parinirwan is a concept of deep significance, literally meaning 'nirvana after death'. Lord Buddha is the first and original mahaparinirwan. Due to his immense contributions to Buddhism, and to the advancement of society in general, Dr. Ambedkar's death anniversary is celebrated as maparinirwan diwas by millions of his followers every year.