28. 17-5-1936 Conversion is Necessary for your Emancipation and Advancement - Page 136

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CONVERSION IS NECESSARY FOR YOUR EMANCIPATION AND ADVANCEMENT

On Sunday 17th May 1936, the Untouchables of East & South of Thane District arranged a large Conference at Kalyan. It was arranged under the Chairmanship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar to support the declaration of conversion openly. The Untouchables from hundred to hundred fifty villages thronged at the Railway Station to welcome Dr. Ambedkar. When he reached Kalyan Railway Station at 3 p.m. he was greeted by various leaders.

Outside the Railway Station people shouted the slogans “Ambedkar Jindabad, thode din me Bhimraj”. There were about four thousand Untouchables in the procession. The bands and physical shows were arranged in the procession. The whole atmosphere amongst the so called — Dumb — Untouchables was full of love and self-respect.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar explained as to why there was no alternative for the conversion of the Untouchables.— Editors.

“You have assembled here to hear my views about conversion. I, therefore, feel it is necessary to talk to you in detail about the subject.

Some people often raise the question, “Why should we change our religion?” Then I feel an impulse to ask a counter-question, “Why should we not change our religion?”

I would like to relate some instances in my life to explain why conversion is necessary and then it would be easy for you to understand why I chose conversion. You, too, must have had similar experiences in your life.

There are some four or five incidents in my life which have left deep impressions on my mind, and led me to decide in favour of the renunciation of Hinduism and conversion to some other religion. I would like to relate, today, only two or three of these incidents.