Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar- Arbiter of Delhi's Destiny

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Back of the Book To commemorate the 75 years of India's independence, National Book Trust, India under the Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav, Government of India, programme, has launched a new publishing series 'India@75' for young and general readers. The books under this series will reflect the momentous, yet wonderful journey of India. As a part of the series, books on freedom fighters are being developed. The aim behind publishing such books is to make young readers learn about the sacrifice and struggle of our renowned freedom fighters as well as unsung heroes of pre-independence era.

About the Book It was a watershed moment in Delhi's Constitutional history when on 25th July 1949 at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, India's big three Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Sardar Patel-assembled together at the official residence of Sardar Patel in New Delhi's 1, Aurangzeb Road and held an important confidential meeting to decide the future status of Delhi under the new Constitution of Independent India.

It was a formal meeting of the Constitution Drafting Committee presided over by Dr Ambedkar which was attended, as special invitees, by Pandit Nehru and Sardar Patel. The unanimous decision arrived at was that Delhi could not be granted statehood "because as the Capital of India it cannot be placed under a local administration".

What subsequently followed in the Constituent Assembly was ratification of the decision taken already by India's trinity.

About the Author Sudershan Kumar Sharma studied Political Science and Law at Delhi University, did advance course in Legislative Drafting from RIPA, London and retired as Secretary, Lok Sabha. Shri Sharma has also served as Secretary of Delhi's newly created Assembly; drafted its rules, anti-defection laws, laid down legislative procedures, framed guidelines for House, Presiding Officers, Members and Committees; imparted training and orientation to newly-elected MLAs of 1st, 2nd and 3rd Assemblies thereby grooming a new generation of leadership in Delhi. He has written a dozen books and hundreds of articles.

Preface As a student of India's political system and constitutional law, I have known Dr. B. R. Ambedkar primarily through his writings and speeches. What attracted me in particular were his speeches he delivered on the floor of the Constituent Assembly. I was born in a backward village Kilokri in post independence era and had my early education in a local taat patti school during early fifties. By then, the shackles of untouchability had, though somewhat loosened but caste prejudices still prevailed. So, I can feel and fathom the kind of humiliation and insults Ambedkar might have undergone as a child during his schooling, early life and upbringing.

Foreword I am extremely delighted to write Foreword for this book which is the first of its kind on Dr. Ambedkar and explains the backdrop in which the Chief Architect of the Constitution accorded to the national capital the constitutional status of a Union Territory and not a State. The book also unravels many startling but true facts and real instances hitherto unknown to Delhiites.

Book's Contents and Sample Pages