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STRUGGLE OF LOWEST STRATA OF SOCIETY IS BOUND TO HELP ALL SECTIONS OF WORKING CLASS
“On 12th July 1942, the Independent Labour Party and the Bombay Municipal Labour Union held a meeting to congratulate their leader, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.
He told the labourers that although the main task before the Executive was the defence of the country, much of what he would accomplish would depend upon the colleagues in the Council.
At another meeting held at R. M. Bhatt High School, Bombay, by the peasants of Konkan Districts and States. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar declared that, he would never surrender in the battle, he would have to wage for protecting and advancing the interests of the working classes in India ; but added that he would not at the same time threaten his colleagues in the Cabinet with his resignation at every point of minor difference.
Replying to a charge that a separate organisation for the Depressed Classes was prejudicial to the interests and solidarity of the Labour Classes in general, he observed that the struggle which comprised the lowest strata of society was bound to help in the amelioration of all other sections of the working class because when the bottom-most stone in a structure was shifted from its place, those above it were bound to be shaken out of their positions. He pointed out that the Caste Hindu labourers had not outgrown their prejudice against the Depressed Class labourers.
Anantrao Chitre, who presided over the function, urged Dr. Ambedkar to extend the field of his influence and activity of labour movement so as to include the non-Depressed Class labouring classes and assume the leadership of the entire toiling masses of India.” [1]
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1 : Keer, P. 349.