Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's concept of social justice is deeply rooted in 'egalitarian justice,' aiming to dismantle historical inequalities and achieve substantive equality for marginalized communities, particularly the Dalits. His approach is interventionist, advocating for affirmative action and state intervention to correct past injustices and ensure equal opportunities and outcomes. Ambedkar sought to transform the social structure itself, emphasizing the annihilation of caste and the empowerment of the oppressed, which goes beyond mere formal equality to achieve a more equitable distribution of resources and power.

In contrast, John Rawls' 'justice as fairness' primarily aims at 'pure procedural justice.' Rawls posits a hypothetical 'original position' behind a 'veil of ignorance,' where rational individuals would choose two principles of justice: equal basic liberties for all, and social and economic inequalities arranged to benefit the least advantaged (difference principle) and attached to offices open to all (fair equality of opportunity). For Rawls, if the procedures for establishing the basic structure of society are fair, then whatever distribution of wealth and income results from these procedures is considered just, regardless of the specific pattern. His focus is on establishing fair rules and institutions rather than directly engineering specific outcomes. While both thinkers are concerned with justice, Ambedkar's vision is more outcome-oriented and corrective of historical wrongs, leading to egalitarian justice, whereas Rawls' is more process-oriented, focusing on fair procedures to ensure a just basic structure.