MAHAD SATYAGRAHA 27
“I am speaking to you as the Collector of the district and I wish to assure you on behalf of the Government that the Government are on the side of “Untouchables” and to tell you that the Government and I, are your friends. I regret very much to see that some of you intend to offer Satyagraha by disobeying the order of the court. This action, I consider, will be very harmful, I advise you to prepare your case and fight it constitutionally and legally. I sincerely hope that the decision may be in your favour.”
Mr. Jawalkar who had come in the morning said he had come to the Conference to deliver the message of the NonBrahmin party namely that the “Untouchables” should obey the injunction of the court and offer Satyagraha after the decision of the court.
Subhedar Ghatge and other speakers said they had come there to offer Satyagraha against the touchables and not against the Government.” [1]
“The Collector was then led by Dr. Ambedkar out of the pandal. Till seven in the evening, speaker after speaker supported the launching of Satyagraha, and those who uttered discordant notes were booed and heckled. Dr. Ambedkar again adjourned the discussion till the next morning.
At night the chief men gathered together, held discussions and decided to postpone the struggle in view of the case pending before the court, but it was also decided to march in procession winding its course around the tank. Accordingly, this decision was notified to the District Magistrate.
On the morning of December 27, Dr. Ambedkar rose to withdraw the first resolution on the struggle and to move another resolution amidst breathless silence, asking the Conference to postpone the struggle. He was on the horns of a dilemma. It was now the psychological moment to curb the enthusiasm of the delegates and pin it down. He tactfully began to deal with the critical situation. He said in an appealing tone to the delegates, who had by now grown restless and frantic : “You are a brave people. The people who are prepared to lay down their lives for the vindication of their just rights are sure to prosper. But the
1 : The Indian National Herald, dated 31st December 1927.