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... THERE WILL BE NO DISTINCTION BETWEEN THE MAHARS AND THE MANGS
Promises their Quota If they Join his Party for Elections
The Bombay Presidency Mang Conference was held on Tuesday the 2nd June 1936 at Naigaum, Dadar, about 5,000 members of the Mang community and delegates from the different districts of the Presidency attended the session.
The main resolution which was adopted unanimously stated that the Mang community had no other remedy but change of religion for obtaining freedom and equality. The resolution also declared that the Mang community had full trust in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and that it was prepared to follow him ‘ enmasse’ in his move for a change of faith. Other resolutions relating to the amelioration of the condition of the community were also unanimously adopted.
Dr. Ambedkar, who was present by special invitation, addressed the Conference for about an hour. At the outset he pointed out that he had chosen the moment for delivering the speech after the Mang community had declared its decision on the subject of change of faith especially because he did not want to influence their decision in the slightest degree. He demanded the existence of the evil of castes amongst the Depressed Classes themselves.
Hinduism to Blame
He said, however, that it was not an evil for which the Depressed Classes were responsible. It was Hinduism which was responsible for it. If the Mang community wanted to get out of the evil effects of the caste system, they had perforce to get out of that fold. He assured the Mang community as a member of the Mahar community, a majority community of the Depressed Classes in the Bombay Presidency, that if they chose to come with them there would be no distinction whatsoever between the Mahars and the Mangs. He further assured the Mang community that the Mahars were prepared to guarantee them their quota out of the
15 seats allotted to the Depressed Classes in the Bombay