47
LEAD DECENT LIFE
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed the Konkan Panchmahal Mahar Conference at Kankavli, district Ratnagiri, on May
14th 1938. About 1,500 persons attended. He deplored the miserable condition of the Mahars and advised them to lead a decent life and do take full advantage of their legal rights such as the use of public wells and Dharmashalas, education etc. He asked them to join the Independent Labour Party as the Congress had not done any good for the Depressed Classes consisting as it did mainly of Brahmins and merchants who were responsible for their poverty. He said that he was not so desirous of driving away British Imperialism from India as he was of driving away the rich element from the Congress. Lastly he exhorted them to support the Khoti system Abolition Bill.
Among others, a resolution was passed supporting the Mahar Watan Bill and Khoti system Abolition Bill which had been sponsored in the Legislative Assembly by Dr. Ambedkar.
(Sd.) Superintendent S.B., C.I. D.
30th May 1938.” [1]
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1 : The Bombay Secret Abstract, dated 21st May 1938.