Vol. 17, Part III · pages 131–135

102 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES struggle was now beyond doubt; otherwise there could not have come forward proposals offering them money—it is said from the Nizam*—to the tune of rupees seven crores from conflicting quarters ! But for God this would not have been possible, he added. Referring to the Harijan Fund started by Gandhi, he said that its object was to enslave the Untouchables to the camp of Caste Hindus. He declared that he was now bent on conversion whether the Caste Hindus meant help or hindrance. Even if God were produced before him to dissuade him from leaving the Hindu fold, he would not go back on his resolve.”1 zz * Donde, M. V., The Janata, 14th April 1951. 1 : Keer, Pp. 261—263.

26 DECIDED TO RENOUNCE HINDUISM At the end of March 1936, the Jat-Pat-Todak Mandal Lahore, informed Dr. B. R. Ambedkar that they had postponed their Conference to the middle of May. There was a stir in the Punjab press and the orthodox public had subjected the Mandal to a very bitter criticism for having elected its President a leader like Dr. Ambedkar ‘who was a declared hater of Hindu religion’. The result was that even the staunch leaders like Bhai Parmanand, Dr. Narang, Mahatma Hans Raj and Raja Narendra Nath, had to disassociate themselves from the Mandal. To give a correct idea to Dr. Ambedkar of the situation, the Mandal, whose leading light was Sant Ram, sent Har Bhagwan to Bombay. He saw Dr. Ambedkar in Bombay on April 9 and took away the portion of the presidential address which was ready. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar also left for Amritsar on 10th April 1936 to attend the Sikh Mission’s Conference, which was to meet on April 13 and 14. The Sikh Conference was attended by huge crowds of Sikhs and the Depressed Classes from the Punjab, Kerala, U. P. and C. P. The Conference was presided over by Sardar Bahadur Hukum Singh, a retired District Judge, and the Chairman of the reception committee was Wasakhas Singh. Both the President and the Chairman in their addresses stressed the need for improving the plight of the Depressed Classes by intensive missionary work. Addressing the Conference, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar expressed his approval of the principles of equality among the Sikhs and added that he had not yet made up his mind, though he had decided to renounce Hinduism. Sir Jogendra Singh, another speaker, stressed the need for missionary work and the creation of a trust for the purpose, and

104 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES appealed for funds. The main feature of the Conference was the conversion of five prominent Depressed Class leaders of the Thiyya community of Kerala headed by Dr. Kuttir and fifty others from the U. P. and C. P., to Sikhism.” 1 zz 1 : Keer, P. 267.

27 I CANNOT SACRIFICE MY CONSCIENCE FOR SUCCESS “ When Dr. B. R. Ambedkar arrived at Wardha on 1st May 1936 in the morning, people of Depressed Classes welcomed him with great enthusiasm. During the stay of Dr. Ambedkar at Wardha ‘Nirbhaya Tarun Sangh’ took precaution in all respects. Dr. Ambedkar also visited Nalwadi. At 11.30 a.m. Depressed Classes leaders namely Purushottam Khaparde, Shankarrao Sonawane, Gomaji Tembhare discussed the issue of conversion with Dr. Ambedkar who stated in unequivocal terms that, ‘I do not promote Islam or Christian religions to anybody as yet. If anybody with his own responsibility promotes Islam or any other religion, he will be cheated for which I shall not be responsible. It is a fact that I have declared about conversion. But I have not said to adopt any particular religion as yet. Till that time all should carry out propaganda about conversion but they should not propagate any particular religion. When I declare, then only we all seven crore Untouchables convert at a time.’ Thereafter Dr. Ambedkar discussed with other Untouchable leaders privately.” 1 Keer narrated the visit of Dr. Ambedkar at Wardha as follow : “About this time Gandhi camp was also disturbed by Dr. Ambedkar’s activities. Dr. Ambedkar was therefore persuaded by Seth Walchand Hirachand to see Gandhi. Accompanied by Walchand, Dr. Ambedkar met Gandhi at Wardha and then at Segaon,* but they could not agree on the solution to the problem. Gandhi wrongly thought that there were many influences in India and London acting behind 1 : Daily Maharashtra, Nagpur, dated 6th May 1936. Reprinted : Kosare, P. 296. *Later it was called Sevagram.

106 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Dr. Ambedkar and the problem had been allowed to assume unduly large proportions because of his threats.* On his way back from Segaon, Dr. Ambedkar was received enthusiastically at Wardha station by the Depressed Classes. Walchand Hirachand and Jamnalal Bajaj, the millionaire supporters of Gandhi, asked Dr. Ambedkar why he did not join Gandhi’s camp, so that he might have boundless resources at his disposal for the uplift of the Depressed Classes. Dr. Ambedkar told them frankly that he vitally differed from Gandhi on many points. Upon this they referred to Nehru and asked him to emulate his example by putting aside his own views. He silenced them by saying that he was not a man to whom Nehru’s case would apply and added that he could not sacrifice his conscience for success. The millionaires showed their surprise at the crowds of the Depressed Classes that had gathered to receive Dr. Ambedkar, and they remarked that although they spent money on their cause the Harijans did not respond to them properly. Dr. Ambedkar at once answered that it was the difference between a mother and a nurse.” 1 zz *Gandhi. M. K., Letters to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel P. 115. 1. : Keer, Pp 268-269.