Vol. 17, Part III · pages 41–45

4 SEND RIGHT TYPE OF MEN TO LEGISLATURES On 14th April 1929, Ratnagiri District Agriculturists Conference was held at Chiplun. Among the guests from Bombay included Deorao Naik, D. V. Pradhan, B. R. Kadrekar, Shankarrao Gupte, Shankar Wadwalkar, Shivatarkar, Baba Adarekar, Gaikwad, More, etc. prominent from Chiplun were : Shri Vinayakrao Barve, Sathe, Rajadhaksha, Khansaheb Desai, Bendake, Shivaram Jadhao. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar presided over the conference. 1 Delivering his address, Dr. Ambedkar told the people that, “ He had now come to believe that the purpose of his life was to struggle for the welfare of the downtrodden. He said that he came of a poor family and had lived among the poor in an Improvement Trust Chawl in Bombay. I know your grievances,” Dr. Ambedkar continued, “ the Khoti system is sucking your blood. This system of land tenure must be abolished. Its abolition will bring you peace and progress. In order to achieve your goal you must keep the agitation going on. India is likely to attain full control of its destinies in the coming four or five years. At that time you must take particular care to send to the Legislatures the right type of men as your representatives who would devoutly struggle for the abolition of this Khoti system. ” 2 zz 1: Bahishkrit Bharat, dated 3rd May 1929. 2: Keer, Pp. 128-129.

5 PEOPLE CEMENTED BY FEELING OF ONE COUNTRY, ONE CONSTITUTION AND ONE DESTINY, TAKE THE RISK OF BEING INDEPENDENT As a reaction to the report of Simon Commission there was a need to ascertain and decide the political rights of the Untouchables as a future plan of action. Moreover there was a need to nominate the representatives of the Untouchables for the Round Table Conference to be held at London, in which the general outline of the future Constitution of India was to be framed. The representation of the Untouchables for safeguarding the political rights of seven crore Untouchables was absolutely necessary while deciding the future of India. For this reason, a national level conference was to be held and it was held at Nagpur. Thus the credit goes to Nagpurians for this historical event. The local Untouchable leaders especially Dashrath Laxman Patil and Laxmanrao Ogale, M. L. C. went to Mumbai to discuss the issue with Dr. B. R. Ambedkar. They expressed their desire to hold the all India Depressed Classes Conference at Nagpur under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar who consented, told to hold this conference on 8th & 9th August 1930. A reception committee included Mr. T. C. Sakhare as Chairman, Mr. Dashrath Laxman Patil, Bela as Vice Chairman, Mr. Vishramji Sawaithool as Treasurer, Mr. L. K. Ogale, MLC, Amravati, Mr. Hardas L. N., Kamptee, Mr. P. K. Bhatkar, Amravati, Mr. Shamrao G. Rahate, Wadgaon, Mr. H. D. Behade, leader of Matang communtiy, Nagpur, as Secretaries. Mr. Hardas L. N., Secretary of the Conference, requested Shivram Janba Kamble from Poona to inform the names of invitees and Chairman for the proposed All India Conference to be held at Nagpur.

14 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The letter is as follows : THE ALL INDIA DEPRESSED CLASSES CONGRESS Office-Vishram Hall, Lakadganj Cir. 15/10 Nagpur city Dated the 1st February, 1930. Reception Committee Chairman—K. G. Nandagawali, Vice-Chairman—D. L. Patil, Treasurer—V. S. Sawaithool, Secretaries—L. K. Ogale, MLC, Hardas L. N., P. K. Bhatkar, H. D. Behade. To, Mr. S. J. Kamble,* Poona, Dear Sir, You are aware of the proposed Round Table Conference is to be held in London next autumn to discuss the future political Constitution of India. I am sure, you will agree that the Depressed Classess must at this critical juncture assert themselves and make it clear to the power that be as to what safeguards and guarantees the future Constitution of India must contain for the protection of their civic right. The discussion of this momentous issue requires the immediate attention of our people. To bring out people from the different Provinces of India together for the purpose of this discussion we have in consultation with Dr. Ambedkar, M. A., Ph. D., D. Sc, Bar-at-Law, MLC, Bombay, thought convening an All India Depressed Classess Congress at Nagpur some time immediately after the publication of the Report of the Simon Commission and have in anticipation of your consent formed a Reception Committee. * Shivram Janaba Kamble—An Untouchable leader from Poona who had a unique distinction of convening the first Conference of Untouchables in India. Prominent leader of pre-Ambedkar era, the editor of a ‘Somavanshiya Mitra’ Poona, he sent a memorandum to the British Govt. in 1910, appealing to them to enlighten and elevate the Untouchables.

15PEOPLE CEMENTED............INDEPENDENT We shall feel obliged, if you kindly favour us before the 15th February next with your views about the advisibility of holding such a Congress and name of the person, whom you would like to preside over it. Thanking you in anticipation, Remain, Yours sincerely, Hardas L. N.* Secretary, A. I. D. C. C.C., Nagpur.”1 Reply of Shivram Janba Kamble : Kamatipura, 5th Street, Camp Poona. February, 1930. “To, The Secretary, All India Depressed Classes Congress, Nagpur. Dear Sir, I am in receipt of your printed letter of 1st Feb. 1930 and I am glad to read that you are holding shortly an “All India Depressed Classes Congress” at Nagpur. With regards to the Presidentship of the proposed Congress, I suggest the name of Dr. Ambedkar and also that he should be sent to London as the representative of the Depressed Classes for the Round Table Conference. * Hardas L. N.—Secretary, All India Depressed Classes Congress, Nagpur. Admirer and devoted follower of Dr. Ambedkar from Kamptee (Vidarbha), popularly known as Babu Hardas. 1 : Surwade. Vol. 1, Pp. 83-84.

16 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Wishing every success in your endeavours, to uplift the cause of our six crore of fellow brothers, who have been downtrodden by the Caste Hindus for years together. I remain, Yours Sincerly, Shivram J. Kamble.” 1 Mr. Hardas L. N. Secretary of the Conference issued a Circular about holding the Conference. The Circular is as follows : “THE ALL INDIA DEPRESSED CLASSES CONGRESS OFFICE VISHRAM HALL, NAGPUR CITY Dated 20th June, 1930. Circular No. 5 Ref. No. Dear Sir, As it was noticed from reports in the papers that the Report of the Simon Commission will be published on the 24th June, we were in a position to fix the date of our Congress and the Provincial Reception Committee in its meeting dated 24-5-1930 had appointed the 12th and 13th of July 1930, giving sufficient time for our leaders to study the Report and come to some definite understanding. But we are asked by Dr. Ambedkar to reconsider the dates fixed. He says that the first volume of the Simon Report was out on 10th instant, but there is no copy available as yet and he is told that it will not be available till the 22nd, The Second Volume is due on 24th and if similar delay taken place in getting the copies thereof, we are afraid we shall be holding the Congress, if we keep 1: Surwade, P. 84