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Dr. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR’S MESSAGE TO ‘MARATHA MANDIR’
I could never have persuaded myself to believe that I was in any way qualified to give a message to the Maratha community as to what ideals and objectives it should pursue. Since I have been pressed by the organizers of the Maratha Mandir to say a few words stating my view as to what the Marathas seeking the advancement of their community may usefully do, I have agreed to respond to their wishes.
I am convinced that the Marathas-and this applies to every Backward Community-must attend to two things-to Politics and Education if they wish to avoid suppression. A community can keep afloat only if it is able to maintain a controlling influence on the State. However a minority community can maintain its supremacy in Society by having a controlling influence on the State, is well illustrated by the position of the Brahmins in India. Controlling influence on the State is essential because without it, it is not possible to give a direction to the policy of the State and progress depends upon the policy of the State.
It is equally essential to attend to education. It must, however, be borne in mind that what counts in the struggle for position between different communities, is not mere education but higher education. By higher education I mean education which will qualify a Maratha to hold what is a strategic post– a post from which he can survey, control and protect persons of his community from injustice. Here again the case of the Brahmin community is in point. The Brahmin Community is able to maintain itself against all odds, against all oppositions, it is due to the fact that strategic posts are held by Brahmins.
That being my view, I must say that Maratha Mandir would not be serving the community if it spent its energy on the easier tasks of spreading primary education or secondary education. The Governments of many Provinces in India have been planning for the spread of Primary education and many people in India are feeling a sense of satisfaction and even gratitude. I confess that this move for the spread of Primary education leaves me cold. Far from creating any enthusiasm in me, I look upon it as a snare. I cannot forget–I regret that most people are not even aware that the caste