MAHAD SATYAGRAHA 41
Mahad Satyagraha changed the social attitudes of some Caste Hindus. Following is one of the examples—
“ Do away with Castes All Caste Dinner in Bombay
An all caste dinner was held under the auspices of the Samaj-Samata-Sangh (Social-Equality-League) on the 5th instant in the Damodar Thakersey Hall, Parel.
About 150 persons of different castes including 50 so-called Untouchables attended the dinner. Mr. D. V. Naik, Editor of the Brahman-Brahmanetar, and vice-president of the League, welcomed the guests saying that such dinners were organised by the League to be away with caste barriers that separated and disintegrated the Indian nation in general and Hindu society in particular. It was only through free intercourse and inter dining, he added, that the evils of the caste system would be destroyed, and that a new society based on equal status would be developed. They had all gathered there, he proceeded, not on account of inevitable necessity ( Apad- Dharma ) , but with a definite purpose and full knowledge and determination to break the intolerable shackles of the rigid system which disapproved and prohibited such sanctions of love and brotherhood.
The League under the able guidance of its learned President Dr. Ambedkar, he assured, the guests, would always welcome and help those who would, with unique courage in both hands, come forward to free themselves and the nation from the present inhuman caste-ridden society.
Mr. A. B. Kolhatkar, the Editor of the Sandesh eulogised the work of the League, pointing out the significance of such functions. He said the Hindu society was like a clock of sand where the Brahmins till then had the upper hand but now the time had come when they should ungrudgingly make room for the other castes and especially for the so-called Untouchables. He further believed that if the present abuses of all sortspolitical, social and religious were to be eradicated, that could only be done through the instrumentality of a new Shivaji, to be born among the so-called Untouchables.