516 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
Is the lesson now clear to, us that for everything in the future we must depend on our own strength, resources and courage ? We have to fight our battles single handed; often times it may be a case of the Scheduled Castes versus the Rest. We have asked and asked and it was not given. We have knocked and knocked and was not opened. May be we have to break the doors open and take what we want and what is our due. Thus I foresee very difficult times ahead for our people.
To cope with this we must be united and strong of one mind and of one voice. I appeal to all our brethren, even those who stay away from us, to come together under one roof and to demand with one voice, and to fight together under one banner . . . . . . .
But we must organise and unite. Fight on we must, and fight we will, fight every inch of the ground, fight along the line and every one that stands in our way. The present struggle in U. P. is to have the equal human rights in political, social and economic India. I had no idea of participating in the Satyagraha of the Scheduled Castes Federation of U. P. The inhuman treatment and insult to our women Satyagrahis before the Hindu-Congress Ministry compelled me to participate in this Holy Struggle. Until and unless the revenge of this insult is taken no Scheduled Castes people will sit silently. Now the time has come that under the leadership of the Reverred Dr. Ambedkar either we should die in achieving our final goal or do whatever we can. I appeal to the Satyagrahis to remain non-violent in their actions.
In the end I appeal to all the Scheduled Castes Federation branches except the U. P. S. C. F. not to send any batches to Lucknow as this Satyagraha will remain only until the present session U. P. Assembly. U. P. S. C. F. is alone strong enough to conduct the Satyagraha to the end.”
April 19th, 1947
The 16th day of the Satyagraha.
Four batches from different parts courted arrest. First and second batches were arrested near Zanda Park and Ameenabad. Third and fourth batches which include four ladies were arrested near Kaisor Baugh. The batches were led by