The Centre on Wednesday announced that April 14, the birth anniversary of Dr BR Ambedkar, will be a national holiday.

On the day, all central government offices including industrial establishment throughout India will remain closed, a statement released by the Department of Personnel and Training (DoPT) informed.

"It has been decided to declare Tuesday, April 14, as a closed holiday on account of the birthday of Dr BR Ambedkar, for all Central Government offices including industrial establishment throughout India," the statement read.

It will be Ambedkar's 129th birth anniversary on April 14, 2020.

Babasaheb Ambedkar was born on April 14, 1891. He was a social reformer and a Dalit icon who spoke out against the inequality, discrimination faced by the members of his community.

He also became the first law and justice minister of independent India, and the key architect of the constitution of India.

He died on December 6, 1956. In 1990 he was awarded the Bharat Ratna, the highest civilian award.