(In pics) BR Ambedkar's 123rd birth anniversary observed across India

Updated: Monday, April 14, 2014, 16:41 [IST]

New Delhi, April 14: India on Monday celebrated the 123rd birth anniversary of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who drafted the Indian Constitution. Ambedkar, a Dalit, was also the country's first law minister after independence.

Ambedkar, who died in 1956, si remembered for his non-stop struggle for the uplift of the Dalits, a class with social disadvantages. He had converted to Buddhism a few months before his death and many of his admirers had also followed his footsteps.

Tributes were paid to Ambedkar across the nation on the occasion of his birth anniversary.

The Indian stock market also remained shut on Monday, 14th April on account of public holiday. The BSE and NSE will remain closed for "Dr. Baba Saheb Ambedkar Jayanti".

The day also saw some political controversies erupting. While BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi attacked Congress vice-president, accusing him of insulting the Dalit icon, Bahujan Samaj Party chief Mayawati slammed the Congress and BJP, alleging that both of them had betrayed the Dalits' interests.

In New Delhi

AAP convener Arvind Kejriwal pays tribute to Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Delhi Secretariat in New Delhi on Monday.

In New Delhi

Indian diplomat Devyani at a function to pay tributes to Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday.

Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Parliament

President Pranab Mukherjee and Prime Minister Manmohan Singh at a function to pay tributes to Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday.

In New Delhi

People paying tribute to Bhimrao Ambedkar on his 123rd birth anniversary in Gurgaon on Monday.

In Gandhinagar

Gujarat chief minister and BJP Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi offers flower tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar at Gujarat assembly house in Gandhinagar Monday.

In Gandhinagar

Gujarat chief minister and BJP Prime Minister candidate Narendra Modi offers flower tributes to Babasaheb Ambedkar at Gujarat assembly house in Gandhinagar Monday.

In New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee presenting shawls to Buddhist monks during a function to pay tributes to Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday.

In New Delhi

President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President Hamid Ansari,Prime Minister Manmohan Singh , Lok Sabha Speakar Meira Kumar and other dignitaries at a function to pay tributes to Bhimrao Ambedkar on his birth anniversary at Parliament House in New Delhi on Monday.