Contents: Introduction. I. Dr. Ambedkar, Social Justice, Judicial Response and Contemporary Relevance: 1. Toward explaining the concept of social justice/S.P. Srivastava. 2. Social justice: constitutional scheme and spirit/K.I. Vibhute. 3. Dr. Ambedkar's quest for social justice: an analysis of contemporary scenario/Mohammad Shabbir. 4. Dr. Ambedkar's contribution to social justice/Surendra Singh. 5. Social justice through constitutionalism and contemporary relevance of Ambedkarism/D.S. Prakasa Rao. 6. Dr. Ambedkar's concept of social justice: contemporary relevance-oriented analysis/P.S. Lathwal. 7. Judicial behaviour and social justice in India: myth and reality/N.K. Chakrabarti. 8. The affirmative actions, the recommendations of Mandal Commission and judicial response/Khan Noor Ephroz and Shoeb Khan. II. Dr. Ambedkar and Constitution Making: 9. Fighting for rights: Dr. Ambedkar story/Rajeev Dhavan. 10. Dr. Ambedkar on federalism and national unity/Munshilal Gautam. 11. Dr. Ambedkar's role in constitution making: some reflections/Srikanta Mishra. 12. Dr. Ambedkar and the oddities of article 356 of the constitution/Syed Iqbal Hadi Rizvi. 13. Historic deliberations of Dr. Ambedkar in shaping the constitution/Raghunath Patnaik. 14. Ambedkar and constitutional vicissitudes/Mohammad Momin. III. Dr. Ambedkar and The Weaker Sections: 15. Dr. Ambedkar and the weaker sections of society: a legal study/K.C. Srivastava. 16. Hindu social order and women: understanding Ambedkar's viewpoint/Rekha Chowdhary. 17. Dr. Ambedkar, women and the weaker sections of society/Lalitha Sreenath and M.R. Sreenath. 18. Bride burning: a challenging problem of gender justice/Farooq Ahmad. 19. Emancipation of women with special reference to medical termination of pregnancy act: an overview/Ajeet Lal. IV. Dr. Ambedkar and Hindu Social Order: 20. Caste system in Hindu society, principle of social justice and the constitution of India: Dr. Ambedkar's perspective/Khan Noor Ephroz and Taj Mohammad. 21. Hindu caste system and social justice: Dr. Ambedkar's perspective or views/Mohammad Ashraf. V. Dr. Ambedkar--A Messiah of Suppressed Humanity: 22. Uplift of backward classes and social change: Dr. Ambedkar's perspective/Surendra Pratap Singh. 23. Dr. Ambedkar and untouchability/Hari Shankar Panda. 24. Dr. Ambedkar: his life and struggle for the oppressed classes/Shakeel A. Samdani.

"This anthology addresses to five key themes: (i) social justice, (ii) Ambedkar's role as law and constitution maker, (iii) Ambedkar's perception about weaker sections of our society and his reformative strategy, especially in favour of women, (iv) Hindu caste system, social order and evil effect of rigid caste system, and (v) Ambedkar as a messiah of suppressed humanity.

"The volume reveals effective ventures of contributors of bridging up the gulf between 'the law in book' and 'the law in action'.

"intimate relationship between law and society constitutes the pivot of thesis revolving round the Ambedkar's deep concern to social, economic and political reforms, for ensuring justice to countless number of population who are termed as 'oppressed class', 'downtrodden', 'depressed class', 'suppressed humanity' and 'backward classes'. It also traces the relevance of Ambedkar's philosophy, mission and his action-oriented policy and programme to improve the lots of the scheduled castes, scheduled tribes, backward classes and dalit groups of the minorities in our contemporary era." (jacket)

{Mohammad Shabbir is Professor of Law at the Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh.] 

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