34 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
general assault on the Untouchables. The news appeared in the ‘ Bharat Jyoti ’ of 22nd September 1946 which is reproduced below:
“Five Harijans, including one woman, were injured seriously when a crowd of villagers attacked them with dhahas and lathis in a village in Borsad Taluka in Kaira District according to a report received by the Secretary of the Borsad Taluka Harijan Sevak Sangh. The attack was a sequel to the death of about seven buffaloes which the villagers attributed to black-magic practised by the Harijans.
The injured have been sent to hospital. Police rushed to the spot, and some persons have been arrested.
The villagers, it is learnt, are threatening the Harijans that if they make any complaints to the authorities they would be burnt alive.
Such incidents often occur in Kaira villages, and the District Magistrate of Kaira has instructed all police and other executive officers to take strong measures against such harassment of Harijans.”
The tale told by these cases is clear and simple. No comment is necessary. To the average Hindu, the Untouchable is not fit even for human association. He is the carrier of evil. He is not a human being. He must be shunned.
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