Ambedkar's Philosophical Foundations of Human Rights: The Concept of Equality, Liberty, and Fraternity

Abstract

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar's philosophical approach to human rights is grounded in the interrelated principles of equality, liberty, and fraternity, which he regarded as essential pillars of a just and democratic society. Drawing inspiration from Enlightenment thought, constitutionalism, and Buddhist ethics, Ambedkar redefined these concepts within the Indian socio-cultural context marked by caste-based discrimination and social hierarchy. He viewed equality as the eradication of all forms of social and economic oppression; liberty as the freedom of thought, expression, and choice necessary for individual self-realization; and fraternity as the moral and emotional bond that ensures social harmony and collective responsibility. Ambedkar emphasized that the sustainability of democracy depends on the balanced coexistence of these values, as none can function effectively in isolation. His vision forms a comprehensive philosophical foundation for modern human rights discourse and continues to offer a transformative framework for addressing contemporary issues of inequality, injustice, and exclusion. This abstract highlightsAmbedkar's enduring relevance as a global thinker whose ideas contribute significantly to the on-going pursuit of human dignity and social justice.