MAHAD SATYAGRAHA 21
“Dr. Ambedkar’s Plea for Abolition of Social Disabilities
Following is a summary of the Presidential address of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, M.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Bar-at-Law, M.L.C.. delivered at the Satyagraha Conference at Mahad (District Kolaba) held on the 25th December 1927.
Welcoming the Satyagrahis on behalf of the Satyagraha Committee, of which he is the president, Dr. Ambedkar reminded them of the unfortunate ending of the Conference held at the same place in March last when a number of their fellow delegates had been ill-treated and assaulted by the so-called Caste-Hindus for committing the offence of drawing the water from a Public Tank named “ Chawdar ” . Nobody prevented the members of the Depressed Classes from using the water of the tank, but some ringleaders took it into their heads to punish the delegates of the Conference after the event and incited the mob to commit assaults on them. Some of the offenders were prosecuted, convicted and sentenced to four months’ imprisonment.
Continuing Dr. Ambedkar said : “Had the caste-Hindus admitted the right of the Depressed Classes to use the tank, this Satyagraha would not have been necessary. Unfortunately, however, the Caste-Hindus at this place are obstinate in their attitude and refuse to admit the right of the Depressed Classes to use the Public Tank which is open to persons of all castes including Mahomedans and other non-Hindus. The irony of the situation is that although the cattle owned by the so-called Untouchables are allowed to go, their owners, who are as good human beings as the other people, are prohibited from going to the tank.
The Hindus are known for their humanitarian sentiments and their regard for animal life is proverbial. Some section do not kill even poisonous reptiles. The Hindus maintain a large army of Sadhus and able-bodied beggars, and believe that they acquire merit by feeding and clothing them and giving them cash for indulging in luxuries. The Hindu philosophy teaches the doctrine of an all-pervading soul, and the Geeta exhorts them to make no distinction between a Brahmin and a Chandal.