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TO TAKE LEGAL STEPS AGAINST HIGH CASTE HINDUS WHO HARASSED UNTOUCHABLES
“ Talk with Dr. Ambedkar
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and members of his group had a lengthy talk with Mahatma Gandhi at Mani Bhuvan on Saturday, the 16th June 1934 morning on the question of the progress of the Harijan Movement has done since Gandhiji launched the campaign against Untouchability.
Gandhiji, it appears, told the deputationists that his tour in more than 200 villages had impressed him with the fact that the movement against Untouchability was making rapid progress and the evil is slowly dying away.
Dr. Ambedkar is stated to have a different view from this view and said that Gandhiji’s presence in a village or place, created an abnormal atmosphere as the presence of a saint or sadhu would do, and people temporarily forget the difference. Gandhi was, therefore, not in a position to judge the exact situation.
He is also stated to have suggested to Gandhiji that the Harijan Board should render financial assistance to Harijans to take legal steps against High Caste Hindus who harassed the former.
Gandhiji is stated to have replied that persuasion was the best method of removing the evil and that the question of giving legal aid would have to be considered by the Board.
One of the members of the deputation is stated to have asked Gandhiji whether the Harijan Board would be in existence after August 7 ? upto which time Gandhiji is under a vow to take part only in non-political activities. The same member asked Gandhiji, if he had received any divine inspiration as to his future action.
Gandhiji replied that he had received none so far and restored, “If you want you can as well receive inspiration from God.”
Ambedkar Deputation
The members of the Deputation led by Dr. Ambedkar who met Mahatma Gandhi on Saturday were :—
Mr. G. V. Naik Dr. P. G. Solanki Mr. Amritrao Khambe, and Mr. Baburao Gaikwad.” [l]
1 : The Bombay Chronicle, dated 17th June 1934.