28 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
moment now has come when you should think twice before you strike the blow. You know well that the Satyagraha movement started by Gandhi,” he proceeded, “ was backed up by the people as it was against a foreign domination. Our struggle is against the mass of Caste Hindus and naturally we have little support from outside. Taking these facts into consideration. I feel, we should not antagonise the Government and put it on the side of our opposition. It is not beneficial either.”
“Do not suppose,” asserted the leader, “that if you postpone the issue humiliation will be its concomitant. As regards my position, I assure you I am prepared to face the three-fold danger-breaking of an order, being charged with a breach of rules governing the conduct of a lawyer and the possibility of imprisonment. My brothers,” he sofetly concluded, “you rest assured that a postponement of this struggle will not mean that we have given up the struggle. The fight will go on till we establish our claims to this Tank.” [l]
Satyagraha postponed
As a result of deliberations, the following resolution was adopted :—
‘Taking into consideration the fact that the touchable classes of Mahad by obtaining a temporary injunction from the Civil Court at the last hour against the “Depressed” Classes bring them into conflict with the Government which had yesterday morning resolved to offer Satyagraha have after listening to the Collector and after taking into consideration the assurance given by him in the open Conference that the Government have every sympathy for the Depressed Classes in the struggle for equal rights resolved that Satyagraha be postponed till the decision of the Civil Court.” [2]
1 : Keer, Pp. 102-103.
2 : The Indian National Herald, dated 31st December 1927.