In Mahad, a town in Maharashtra, B. R. Ambedkar, an eminent social reformer and architect of the Indian Constitution, led a significant protest against caste discrimination by publicly burning copies of the Manusmriti. The Manusmriti, an ancient Hindu text, is often criticized for its prescriptions regarding the social hierarchy, particularly its oppressive views towards Dalits, who were then referred to as 'Untouchables.' The gathering took place at the banks of the river, symbolizing a ritualistic cleansing and the desire for social reformation.

Ambedkar's followers, comprising numerous Dalits and sympathetic allies, engaged in this act as a means to challenge the existing caste norms and rally for the rights of marginalized communities. The protest was not just an individual act of defiance but a collective push towards recognizing and abolishing the unjust social fabric that had relegated many to the most inferior status in society. This act of burning the Manusmriti was seen as an assertion of identity and a rejection of the discriminatory practices that had persisted for centuries.

The significance of this protest was amplified by the public attention it received and the subsequent discussions it sparked about caste and social justice in India. It highlighted the need for legal and constitutional reforms to protect the rights of opprobriated communities, setting a precedent for future movements advocating for social equality and justice, aiding Ambedkar’s larger campaign for the rights of Dalits in India.