Orientation Programme of the First Batch of Ph. D. Scholars of Dr B. R. Ambedkar Centre, Panjab University

Chandigarh, October 12, 2026: Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Centre, Panjab University organised an orientation programme on 12 October 2026 to welcome its first batch of Ph.D. scholars titled 'Reading with Ambedkar: Caste, Graded Inequality and Human Dignity'.   The programme aimed to familiarize the scholars with Dr. Ambedkar's ideas, writings and enduring legacy.
Prof. Navjot, Coordinator of the Centre and Chairperson, Department of Political Science, coordinated the programme. In her welcome address, she traced the Centre's history, noting that it had conducted national seminars, special lectures and various academic programmes to carry forward Dr. Ambedkar's legacy.
Prof. Savita Gupta, Director, Research Cell, PU, was the Chief Guest, while Prof. Ronki Ram, Emeritus Professor, IDC, delivered the keynote address. Former coordinators of the Centre — Prof. Emanuel Nahar, Prof. Devinder Singh conveyed their best wishes and Prof. Sheena Pall joined the event.
Addressing the gathering, Prof. Savita Gupta underscored the significance of a centre named after Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, a pioneer of social justice and equality. Urging the newly admitted scholars to question critically and stay rooted in their communities, she called on them to contribute to an inclusive and democratic society.
In his keynote address, Prof. Ronki Ram reflected on Ambedkar's writings and their significance for historically oppressed communities, who have long looked to him as a powerful voice against social discrimination and injustice. He discussed Ambedkar's critique of caste, describing it as an unnatural, hierarchical and oppressive arrangement that denies dignity and equal opportunity to sections of society. He elaborated on graded inequality, a central feature of Ambedkar's analysis, and on the relationship between caste hierarchy and patriarchy.
Turning to human dignity, Prof. Ronki Ram highlighted Ambedkar's pivotal role in framing the Indian Constitution and drew attention to the ideals of liberty, equality and fraternity enshrined in the Preamble.
The programme provided an intellectually stimulating beginning for the Centre's first batch of Ph.D. scholars, encouraging them to engage critically with Ambedkar's writings. It concluded with a vote of thanks to the participants.