IIT Delhi Marks Dr Ambedkar’s 136th Birth Anniversary with ‘Jai Bhim Saptaha 2026’

The Indian Institute of Technology Delhi (IIT Delhi) celebrated the 136th birth anniversary of Dr B.R. Ambedkar with a week-long programme titled ‘Jai Bhim Saptaha 2026’, transforming the campus into a vibrant platform for reflection, dialogue, creativity and community participation. Held from April 10 to April 16, the event focused on the themes of equity, dignity, constitutional values and social inclusion.

The celebrations brought together students, faculty members, staff, experts, artists and visitors through a series of lectures, workshops, exhibitions, film screenings and outreach activities, highlighting Dr Ambedkar’s enduring legacy in modern India.

Blood Donation Drive and School Outreach

The week began with a blood donation camp organised in collaboration with Blood Connect and the National Service Scheme (NSS), which saw enthusiastic participation from more than 200 donors.

A major attraction was a book exhibition at the IIT Delhi Central Library, where over 300 school children visited to learn about the life, contributions and vision of Dr Ambedkar. The exhibition introduced young students to his role as the architect of the Indian Constitution and a champion of social justice.

Film Festival Focuses on Social Inclusion

One of the defining highlights of the celebrations was the Jai Bhim Saptaha Film Festival, held from April 10 to 12. The festival used cinema as a medium to explore themes of equality, caste, dignity and democratic rights.

The event was inaugurated by Prof. Arvind Nema, Deputy Director of IIT Delhi, while noted academic Prof. Harish Wankhede from Jawaharlal Nehru University served as curator and guest of honour.

An accompanying exhibition on Dalit-Bahujan-Adivasi cinema set the tone for the festival. Several acclaimed films and documentaries were screened during the three-day event, including:

• Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar directed by Jabbar Patel
• The Great Debaters directed by Denzel Washington
• Ambedkar: Then & Now directed by Jyoti Nisha
• What is My Caste? directed by Neha Thombre

The screenings connected Indian social struggles with global movements for justice and equality.

Roundtable on Cinema and Society

The film festival also hosted a roundtable discussion on “Dr Ambedkar’s Vision for Cinema and Society”, along with a special lecture on “Cinema, Technology, and Market.”

The discussions featured leading voices including movie trade analyst Girish Wankhede, Prof. Dickens Leonard (IIT Delhi), Prof. Amit Thorat (JNU), Prof. Ravikant (CSDS), Prof. Amitabha Bagchi (IIT Delhi), Prof. Charu Monga (IIT Delhi), and filmmakers Jyoti Nisha and Neha Thombre.

Speakers emphasised the power of cinema as a tool of education, social commentary and collective expression.

Workshops and Creative Participation

On April 12, the SC/ST Employee Welfare Association organised a colourful drawing competition for the IIT Delhi community, encouraging artistic participation across age groups.

On April 13, participants attended an English language workshop led by Prof. Dickens Leonard, followed by a confidence-building session by Dr. Rakshi Rath of Krea University. Both sessions focused on voice, self-expression and confidence in academic spaces.

On April 14, members of the IIT Delhi community also visited Sansad Bhawan as part of Ambedkar Jayanti observances in the national capital.

Caste Sensitisation and Constitutional Morality Lecture

A caste sensitisation workshop was organised on April 15 at the Central Library in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Dalit Studies (IIDS). The session explored ways to build harmony, empathy and inclusive academic environments.

The key memorial lecture of the week was delivered by Disha Wadekar, legal scholar and independent advocate at the Supreme Court of India. Speaking on “Constitutional Morality as a Transformative Ideal: Dr Ambedkar’s Vision,” she said that constitutional morality must be cultivated through education and ethical commitment, rather than remaining limited to legal text alone.

She underlined Dr Ambedkar’s belief that democracy can thrive only when constitutional values are actively practiced by citizens and institutions.

IIT Delhi Reaffirms Commitment to Inclusion

In his presidential address, IIT Delhi Director Prof. Rangan Banerjee said academic institutions must lead society by example.

“We at IIT Delhi believe that academic institutions must show the direction so that we become a torchbearer of what society should become. In this endeavour, Dr Ambedkar’s ideas and vision continue to guide us,” he said.

Grand Finale on April 16

The celebrations concluded with several participatory events, including:

• Print Your Preamble screen-printing activity, where 250 copies were self-printed
• “Ambedkar-in-a-Word” reflection wall
• Book fair featuring literature on Dr Ambedkar
• Madhubani art exhibition by Malvika Raj
• Santhali Tribal Cultural Exhibition
• Dignity march across campus

Faculty Advisor for the Initiative for Caste Equity, Prof. Yashpal Jogdand, stressed the need for thoughtful engagement with Ambedkar’s ideas for both personal growth and social well-being.

SC/ST Cell Chairperson Prof. Manojkumar Ramteke appreciated the warm participation of the campus community throughout the week.

With large-scale involvement and meaningful discussions, Jai Bhim Saptaha 2026 reflected IIT Delhi’s continued commitment to diversity, equality and inclusive nation-building inspired by Dr B.R. Ambedkar’s timeless legacy.