Vol. 17, Part III · pages 111–115

14 POLITICAL REFORM MUST PRECEDE SOCIAL REFORM “Depressed Classes from various parts of Southern Division presented a joint address to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at Belgaum on May 24, 1932.* Dewan Bahadur Latthe, who presided introduced the guest as a strong nationalist at heart. The address eulogised the services of Dr. Ambedkar to the cause of the Depressed Classes. The address and a purse of Rs. 500 were then presented to Dr. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar, in his reply, said political reform must precede social reform and without political power to the Depressed Classes their status would not improve. Though his striving for the good of Depressed Classes alone might be considered selfish, it could be justified in view of the great injustice done to them by the nation hitherto. Dr. Ambedkar left for Sholapur last night.” 1 zz * : The programme was held at Nipani, District Belgaum on 23rd May 1932 as per Janata 25th June 1932. 1 : The Times of India dated 26th May 1932.

15 CARE MORE FOR MATERIAL GOOD THAN FOR SPIRITUAL FOOD After Poona Pact all the Untouchables were eagerly waiting for an opportunity to listen to Dr. Ambedkar. In such a situation the youths of Worli, Bombay had organised a public meeting. The meeting was held on Wednesday, 28th September, 1932 at the open ground of B. D. D. Chawls, Worli. Mr. Deorao Naik presided over the meeting. 1 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who had vigorously launched a movement in his own way at Nasik for temple entry, now swiftly changed the rudder of the ship of his movement. He urged his people to devote their energies to gaining political power. Addressing this meeting Dr. Ambedkar said : “The object of the temple entry movement is good. But you should care more for your material good than for spiritual food. You do not get food to eat, clothes to wear, opportunities of educating your children, and medical help for want of money. You should, therefore, be watchful of the political gains, and you must develop your strength and struggle for gaining material advancement in life.” It was at this meeting that he made a fervent appeal for a building fund to erect a central building to house the headquarters of the movement.” 2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 8th October 1932. 2 : Keer, Pp. 217-218.

16 ACT AND UTILISE THE POWER COMING INTO YOUR HANDS Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed a meeting on Sunday, 9th October 1932 at 10-30 p.m. on the ground of Improvement Trust Chawl on Belasis Road, Bombay. Mr. Bapusaheb Sahastrabuddhe, one of the main worker of Social Service League presided over the meeting. Shri S. N. Shivatarkar was also present. 1 Dr. Ambedkar in his speech vividly described to his people how hard they had made their struggle for existence by hankering after ideas about the unseen happiness in the other world rather than concentrating their minds on the material forces in this world. In a heart-rending appeal he said “because people neglected the material needs of life and grew indifferent to the knowledge that enabled them to secure them, the country remained backward and her progress came to a standstill. “The appearance of Tulsi leaves around your neck,” he continued, “will not relieve you from the clutches of the money lenders. Because you sing songs of Rama, you will not get a concession in rent from the landlords. You will not get salaries at the end of the month because you make pilgrimages every year to Pandharpur. Because the major part of the society is absorbed in these worthless mysteries of life, superstitions and mysticism, the intelligent and self-centred people get ample scope and opportunities to carry out their anti-social designs. “I, therefore, appeal to you,” he concluded, “to act and utilise what little political power is coming into your hands. If you are indifferent and do not try to use it properly, your worries will have no end. Fear lurks in my mind that the slavery which we are fighting out may overtake us again. Will this awakening of ours be short-lived? ”2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 15th October 1932. 2 : Keer, P. 213.

17 ABANDON THE THOUGHT OF SLAVERY Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was presented with an address, on October 28, 1932, by the Rushi Samaj at the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall. Dr. P. G. Solanki an Untouchable leader presided over the meeting. The Volunteers of Samta Sainik Dal were present at the meeting place to look after the arrangements.1 Dr. Ambedkar warned his people not to get themselves lost in the temple entry movement and inter-dining. He told them that the problem of bread and butter would not be solved by it. “The sooner you remove the foolish belief that your miseries were pre-ordained, the better. The thought that your poverty is an inevitability, and is inborn and inseparable is entirely erroneous. Abandon this line of thought of considering yourselves to be slaves” he added. 2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 5th November 1932. 2 : Keer, P. 219.

18 DO NOT BELIEVE IN FATE BELIEVE IN YOUR STRENGTH Thane District Conference was held at Kasara on Saturday, 18th February 1933. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar presided over the Conference. Dr. Ambedkar reached Kasara at 8 p.m. by car from Bombay. Mr. Shivtarkar, Divakar Pagare and Ganpatbuwa Jadhav alias Madkebuwa accompanied him, while Mr. B. K. Gaikwad, K. B. Jadhav, Limbaji Bhalerao and Rokde came from Nasik. Mr. Shankarnath Barve was the Chairman of Reception Committee. 1 After issuing his statement on the Temple Entry Bill, Dr. Ambedkar carried on propaganda against the spiritualistic fads and superstitions of his people which had emasculated and devitalised them for ages. He impressed upon their minds that to them bread was better than the worship of God. At this Conference, he told the Untouchables : “we want equality in Hindu religion. The Chaturvarnya must be rooted out. The principle that privileges for the higher classes and poverty for the lower classes must end now. The British Government is foreign Government; and so there could not be much advancement in our conditions. Do not allow disunion to grip you. It leads to ruin. Study the situation and surroundings with your own eyes. Do not forget that your fight at Mahad and Nasik won you what political status you are going to get. The news about Nasik Satyagraha which appeared in The Times, London, every day had interested and instructed the Britishers.” “What you have lost,” proceeded he, “others have gained. Your humiliations are a matter of pride with others. You are made to suffer wants, privations and humiliations not because it was pre-ordained by the sins committed in your previous birth, but because of the overpowering tyranny and treachery of those who are above you. You have no lands because others have usurped them : you have no posts because others have monopolised them. Do not believe in fate. Believe in your strength.” 2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 25th February 1933. 2 : Keer, P. 233.