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being provided in the Census Code requiring that persons returning their religion as Ad Dharm would be recorded as such. Ad Dharm literally means original or ancient religion.”
A Negative Attitude
According to Dr. Ambedkar, the dispute over the Ad Dharmi agitation became so serious that several murders were committed. However that may be, the Ad Dharmis have been classified as “Scheduled Castes” in the general constituency, notwithstanding their unequivocal declaration that they are not Hindus.
In the case of himself and his followers, Dr. Ambedkar points out, the attitude is negative in respect of Hinduism and not yet positive adherence to any other faith.
Similarly, the Ramdasis are Sikhs by religion, but they have been classified under “Scheduled Castes” in the general constituency. All of which, according to Dr. Ambedkar, goes to show that religion has nothing to do with electoral classifications have gone exactly contrary to the religious grouping.
Thus, while Dr. Ambedkar does not recognise the Hindus’ right to complain or challenge the Depressed Classes’ privileges by virtue of the Poona Pact, he affirms that his community’s political rights are unaffected by intended or even impending renunciation of Hinduism.” [1]
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1 : Times of India : dated 24th July 1936.