Vol. 17, Part III · pages 311–315

282 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES I put the resolution to vote. Those in favour will signify their assent by raising their hands. (All seem to have raised their hands). Those against will now raise their hands to signify their disapproval. I see no opposition. I declare the resolution carried unanimously. The President Mrs. Dongre then requested the Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to address the Conference. Address by Dr. Ambedkar Addressing the Women’s Conference, Dr. Ambedkar said : I am very happy to have this occasion of addressing you. There cannot be an occasion of greater happiness to any one interested in the advancement of the Depressed Classes than to witness this gathering of women. That you would assemble in such vast number—almost 20,000 to 25,000 strong—would have been unthinkable 10 years ago. I am a great believer in Women’s organization. I know what they can do to improve the condition of society if they are convinced. In the eradication of social evils they have rendered great services. I will testify to that from my own experience. Ever since I began to work among the Depressed Classes, I made it a point to carry women along with men. That is why you will see that our Conferences are always mixed Conferences. I measure the progress of a community by the degree of progress which women have achieved, and when I see this assembly, I feel both convinced and happy that we have progressed. I shall tell you a few things which I think you should bear in mind. Learn to be clean; keep free from all vices. Give education to your children. Instil ambition in them. Inculcate on their minds that they are destined to be great. Remove from them all inferiority complex. Don’t be in a hurry to marry : marriage is a liability. You should not impose it upon your children unless financially they are able to meet the liabilities arising from

283PROGRESS OF..................WOMEN marriage. Those who will marry will bear in mind that to have too many children is a crime. That Parental duty lies in giving each child a better start than its parents had. Above all, let each girl who marries stand up to her husband, claim to be her husband’s friend and equal, and refuse to be his slave. I am sure if you follow this advice you will bring honour and glory to yourselves and to Depressed Classes. Mrs. Kirtibai Patil, Chairperson of Reception Committee, expressed the thanks. Thereafter the President declared the Session as dissolved. 1 zz 1. : Report of Depressed Classes Conference, Nagpur Session - July 1942.

77 I MAKE DISTINCTION BETWEEN AHIMSA AND MEEKNESS Samata Sainik Dal Conference (Conference of the Depressed Classes Volunteer Core) FIRST SESSION -1942 Held At Nagpur on July 20, 1942 The Samata Sainik Dal Conference commenced its session at 12-30 p. m. on July 20, 1942, in the specially erected pandal in the Mohan Park, Nagpur, in the presence of over 70,000 audience. On the dias, distinguished leaders including the Hon’ble Dr. B. R. Ambedkar were seated. The President-elect was conducted to his seat by the Chairman of the Reception Committee. After the Presidentelect and other delegates took their seats, the proceedings commenced with the singing of welcome songs. Mr. A. L. Kosare, B.A., Chairman of the Reception Committee, delivered his address. Thereafter, Mr. R. R. Patil, General Secretary, read his report. Mr. A. L. Kosare called upon Mr. M. M. Sasalekar, General Secretary, Samata Sainik Dal, Bombay to move that the President elect, Mr. Gopal Singh, M. L. A. (Punjab) do occupy the Chair. Accordingly Mr. M. M. Sasalekar moved the resolution. Mr. R. R. Patil, General Secretary of the Samata Sainik Dal Conference seconded the resolution. Mr. A. L. Kosare, Chairman of the Reception Committee declared that as there is no opposition, motion is carried unanimously. I now request Mr. Gopal Singh to occupy the Chair.

285I MAKE........................MEEKNESS Sardar Gopal Singh occupied the chair and delivered his Presidential Address. Mr. Gopal Singh (President) called upon Mr. U. L. Karandikar (Bombay) to move the first resolution. Mr. U. L. Karandikar said, Mr. President, the resolution which stands in my name runs thus :Resolution No. 1 .—Support to All - India Depressed Classes Conference : 1. (A) That the Conference of the All-India Samata Sainik Dal heartily supports the resolutions passed at the All-India Depressed Classes Conference, and declares its resolute determination to curry out the provisions of the said resolutions in all possible ways, namely physically, financially and morally. Branches of the Dal: (B) That .the Conference requests and appeals to the admirers and supporters of the Samata Sainik Dal to establish in every Province and prominent towns of the Provinces, the branches of the Samata Sainik Dal. Constitution : (C) That this Conference resolves that a Constitution for the All-India Samata Sainik Dal be framed and that for this purpose a Committee of the following gentlemen be formed. The Constitution framed by this Committee shall be submitted to the joint Sub-Committee of the Office Bearers of the Samata Sainik Dal of the C. P. and Berar and the Bombay Provinces, on whose approval, it shall become operative. (1) Mr. M. M. Sasalekar, Bombay. (2) ” S.B. Jadhav. (3) ” R. R. Patil, Nagpur. (4) ” A. L. Kosare, B. A., Nagpur. (5) ” P. L. K. Talib, Ph. D., Lucknow.

286 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The resolution is very clear and needs no speech. I commend it for your unanimous acceptance. Mr. M. M. Sasalekar seconded it. The resolution was further supported by the following gentlemen.— (1) Mr. P. J. Roham, M. L. A. (Bombay). (2) ” Parmar (Sindh) (3) ” P. L. K. Talib, M. A., LL. B., Ph.D. (Lucknow). (4) ” D. G. Jadhav, B. A., LL.B., M.L.A., Jalgaon. (5) ” B. K. Gaikwad, M. L. A., Nasik. Mr. Gopal Singh, the President said, as there is no opposition, I declare the resolution earned unanimously.* The President called upon Mr. S. B. Jadhav to move the second resolution. Accordingly Mr. S. B. Jadhav moved the resolution for unanimous acceptance. Resolution No. 2 United Front against Fascist aggression : 2. That India is immediately threatened by the fascist aggression and the invasion of our motherland by the German and Japanese military hoards is imminent. At this critical hour the main task that faces the nation is to immediately build up a mighty antifascist aggression. This Conference therefore calls upon the Indian people to immediately build up such a united front of the people. Mr. S. V. Gaikwad seconded the resolution. Mr. Gopal Singh, the President declared the resolution carried unanimously. * See Constitution of the Samata Sainik Dal at Appendix. II