Vol. 17, Part III · pages 246–250

59 HINDUS RESPONSIBLE FOR SIN OF UNTOUCHABILITY “Dr. Ambedkar was presented with an address of welcome by Belgaum Municipality at Belgaum on December 26, 1939. Replying to the address, Dr. Ambedkar said that Caste Hindus and none else were responsible for the sin of Untouchability, which he was trying to remove by working for the uplift of Harijans. The question of tackling the problem of Harijans was more urgent than even that of winning Swaraj.”1 zz 1 : The Times of India, dated 27th December 1939.

60 REGAIN PAST POSITION IN ARMY On January 28th* 1940, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar visited Ratnagiri where he was welcomed by the newly enrolled ‘Mahar Army’ recruits with military status. On this occasion he gave a brief speech to all touchable Kunbis as well as Untouchable soldiers. 1 An appeal to Kunbis and Mahars to come forward and join the Army was made by Dr. Ambedkar, when a number of Mahars recently enrolled as recruits came in a body last evening to pay their respect to him as their leader. Dr. Ambedkar expressed appreciation of their decision to enrol. Military occupation, he said, was closed to them on account of caste prejudices, although they had rendered good service in the past. At one time practically 3/4th of the Bombay army was drawn from the Mahars and they had fought a great many battles on the side of the British, including the famous battle of Koregaon, when the Peshwa was defeated and the British established their supremacy. After the mutiny of 1857, he went on, other classes joined the Army. Their prejudices had to be respected and the recruitment of Mahars was therefore stopped. The new recruits had thus the responsibility to regain their past position in the army. 2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 10th February 1940. 2 : The Times of India, dated 31st January 1940. * As per ‘Janata’ the date is 28th January 1940. Whereas in the Press Report the date was shown as 29th.—Editors.

61 SAFEGUARDS UNDER GOVERNMENT OF INDIA ACT AND POONA PACT ARE INADEQUATE “A rally of over 40,000 men and women was held at Mazagaon on Sunday night the 4th February 1940 under the presidentship of Mr. S. C. Joshi. The rally was the culmination point of the five-mile long procession which started from Dr. Ambedkar’s residence to honour Mr. Surendranath Tipnis, Chairman of the Kolaba District Branch of the Independent Party, who was released from Thana jail on Saturday morning after undergoing imprisonment for three months in connection with a speech, which advocated abolition of the Khoti system. Most of the district leaders of the Party and Party-members of the Assembly as also volunteer corps—about a thousand strong-participated in the procession which wended its way amidst slogans and cheers through crowded working class localities. While addressing the rally Dr. Ambedkar, Leader of the Independent Labour Party, said, The safeguards provided under the Government of India Act and the Poona Pact had proved totally inadequate to protect the interests of the Depressed Classes and that these classes would soon have to direct their attention to formulate concrete proposals and conditions of an elaborate and comprehensive nature on which alone any future co-operation with the administration would be possible.” 1 zz 1 : The Bombay Chronicle, dated 6th February 1940.

62 HINDU SOCIETY MUST ORGANISE ON MODERN LINES BREAKING DOWN ITS AGE-LONG FRAMEWORK Dr. B. R. Ambedkar declared on 19th March as Independence day for Untouchables. This was the day of 1927 when a historical meeting of Untouchables was held at Mahad, where Dr. Ambedkar declared the three principles of democracy i.e. liberty equality and fraternity. To Commemorate that a special function, “Untouchables Independence day”, was organised at Mahad on 19th March 1940 on behalf of Independent Labour Party. A special handbill was published for this occasion. Accordingly the Depressed Classes observed March 19, 1940 as their Independence day— ” 1 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed a rally of 10,000 people at Mahad.” In the course of his speech he observed. “It was entirely wrong for the Indians to concentrate all their attention on political independence of the country and forget the foremost social and economic problems. He said that it was high time that Hindu society were organised on modern lines breaking down its age-long framework.” At night an address of welcome was presented to Dr. Ambedkar by the Mahad Municipality.2 zz 1: Janata, 23rd and 30th March 1940. 2: Keer, P. 331.

63 GANDHI’S EFFORTS ARE INADEQUATE About 3,000 persons attended a Mahar and Mang Vatandars’ Conference which was held at Tadval (Doki), Sholapur distinct, on February 23rd 1941 under the presidentship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. Dr. Ambedkar, who was the chief speaker, explained the inadequacy of Gandhi’s efforts to secure an improvement in the status of Harijans. He praised the administrations of Mysore and Baroda States for their treatment of Harijans but suggested that in Hyderabad State extended facilities for Harijans were necessary. Dr. Ambedkar also appealed for contributions for his building fund. A purse of Rs. 761 was presented.”1 zz 1 : Bombay Secret Abstract, dated 8th March 1941.