Proclamation signed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams / Mayor Eric Adams

New York City has formally recognized Apr.14 as “Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day” in honor of the 134th birth anniversary of the Indian political leader. The announcement was made official through a proclamation signed by New York City Mayor Eric Adams, marking a historic tribute to the Indian jurist, economist, and social reformer whose intellectual journey began in this very city.

The proclamation honors his lifelong fight against social injustice and discrimination Mayor Adams noted Ambedkar’s relevance to global civil rights, stating, “Dr. Ambedkar—whose message to his followers was ‘educate, agitate, organize!’—advocated against the exploitation of farmers and tenants in India, as well as the social institution of untouchability. He spent the rest of his life fighting for the diversity, equity, and inclusion which, collectively, have long defined the five boroughs.”

Dr. Ambedkar, who earned his doctorate from Columbia University in New York, credited the city for shaping his early ideas on liberty, justice, and democracy — principles that later informed his authorship of the Indian Constitution, often celebrated as one of the world’s most inclusive founding charters. His life’s mission, as he once declared, was straightforward but profound: “Ours is a battle not for wealth or power. It is a battle for freedom. It is a battle for the reclamation of human personality.”

Ambedkar’s influence has stretched far beyond India. His birth anniversary is marked globally in more than 100 countries through parliaments, United Nations missions, and academic circles. Back in 2016, on his 125th birth anniversary, Helen Clark, then UNDP Administrator and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, told the United Nations, “Dr. Ambedkar understood that inequalities pose a fundamental challenge to well-being. His vision continues to inspire our work at UNDP, especially in advancing inclusion, equality, and dignity for all. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development echoes his commitment to leaving no one behind.”

The following year, Amina J. Mohammed, UN Deputy Secretary-General, shared the sentiment, saying, “Dr. Ambedkar was a tireless advocate for equality, especially for women and marginalized communities. His vision of social justice and inclusion aligns deeply with the values and mission of the United Nations.”

Behind the scenes, the drive to secure Apr.14 as “Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar Day” in New York City was led by Deelip Mhaske, a longtime Ambedkarite leader and president of the Foundation for Human Horizon. For years, Mhaske has championed Ambedkar’s teachings at an international level, combining grassroots activism with diplomatic engagement. In 2016, with the help of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Mhaske initiated the first-ever Ambedkar Jayanti celebration at the United Nations Headquarters, a gathering that has since become an annual tradition.

Mhaske’s advocacy has helped bridge conversations between Indian and American policymakers, civil rights organizations, and global academic institutions. His work has drawn attention from U.S. administrations on both sides of the political aisle, from Republican to Democrat circles, including being invited as a VIP guest of the Trump Administration. He was also instrumental in the successful 2023 campaign to co-name East 63rd Street in Manhattan as “Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Way,” making New York the first American city to dedicate a street in Ambedkar’s honor.

Reflecting on the proclamation, Mhaske said, “Thank you, Mayor Adams. This proclamation is more than symbolic—it is a moral declaration that positions New York as a global capital for human rights and justice. And thank you to Deputy Commissioner Dilip Chauhan—your tireless efforts have made this a beacon of hope for the 1.5 billion people who remain oppressed worldwide.”

The announcement has drawn praise from around the world. Hon. Ramdas Athawale, Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment in the Government of India, highlighted Mhaske’s role in globalizing Ambedkar’s message, stating,“I thank my friend Deelip Mhaske for taking Dr. Ambedkar’s name to the global stage. His journey from Columbia to creating the future of India shows how New York has nurtured the world’s greatest minds.”

Business leader and founder of Nimit Palace Hotels, Ashu Singh, underscored Ambedkar’s universal appeal: “Dr. Ambedkar is no longer bound by nation or caste. He is celebrated globally as the greatest Indian thinker of the modern era.”

South Asian scholar and former Columbia University professor Akansha Anand pointed to Ambedkar’s lasting relevance for future generations, saying, “Dr. Ambedkar’s vision for a just society—not built on birthright but merit—will empower generations of students in New York and across the world.”

For Nagpur-born psychotherapist Snehal Ukey, the day carried personal and spiritual resonance. “His revival of Buddhism in Nagpur launched a movement of liberation for millions. Today, as New York—his intellectual home—embraces his message, we are reminded that Dalit rights in the U.S. must also confront the caste mindsets carried within the diaspora.”