Mon Apr 14 02:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Ambedkar’s Legacy Celebrated on Birth Anniversary; Uttarakhand Seals Unregistered Madrassas
**Dehradun, India** – Today marks the birth anniversary of Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, the first Dalit to earn a PhD, a milestone achieved with degrees from Columbia University (1927) and the London School of Economics (1932). He was also the first Indian to receive a doctorate from abroad. His life and ideology continue to be widely studied, prompting the release of numerous biographies and analyses. Five notable books exploring his life and contributions include: “Dr. Ambedkar and Untouchability” by Christophe Jaffrelot, offering insights into the political, symbolic, and emotional strategies Ambedkar developed to fight for Dalit rights; “Looking for B.R. Ambedkar” by Salim Yusufji, which provides personal anecdotes and perspectives from those who knew him; “The Doctor and the Saint: The Ambedkar-Gandhi Debate” by Arundhati Roy, a hypothetical debate exploring key disagreements between the two leaders; “Ambedkar: A Life” by Shashi Tharoor, a biographical account of Ambedkar’s challenges and triumphs; and “Ambedkar’s Thought” by Saumya Ranjan Choudhury, an exploration of Ambedkar’s philosophy and its impact.
Separately, the Uttarakhand government continues its crackdown on unregistered madrassas. On Sunday, authorities sealed six madrassas in Haldwani’s Balbhunpura area following similar actions in Uttar Pradesh. These actions follow a Supreme Court ruling.
First Piper 