A hundred years ago, on June 2nd, 1915, Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar got his MA. from Columbia University. Born an ‘untouchable’, the young Ambedkar had to sit outside the classroom in school and listen to the teacher through an open window. Humiliated and hounded by Hindu students and teachers, not even allowed to drink water from a common tap, Babasaheb Ambedkar nevertheless went on to study at one of the finest universities in the world – Columbia at New York. There he studied with people of the caliber of John Dewey. It was also at Columbia that he experienced equality for the first time.

The young graduate student passed his M.A. exam in June, majoring in Economics, with Sociology, History, Philosophy, and Anthropology as other subjects of study; he presented a thesis, *”Ancient Indian Commerce”*. For his outstanding achievement, he was honored by students and professors of the Faculty of Arts at a special dinner.

All this seems almost out of mythology! Yet here in Hindustan, an institute by the name of IIT Madras, has ‘de-recognized’ a student study circle named after Ambedkar devoted to studying his philosophy. Clearly the Ambedkarite revolution has many hurdles to cross before ‘equality, liberty, fraternity’ becomes a part of the culture here.

Tumhi kara re kitihi halla /
Mazbut Bhimacha quilla

Watch Video –  Tribute to Dr Ambedkar at Columbia University, New York City: Prof.Nicolas Dirks