4
SEND RIGHT TYPE OF MEN TO LEGISLATURES
On 14th April 1929, Ratnagiri District Agriculturists Conference was held at Chiplun. Among the guests from Bombay included Deorao Naik, D. V. Pradhan, B. R. Kadrekar, Shankarrao Gupte, Shankar Wadwalkar, Shivatarkar, Baba Adarekar, Gaikwad, More, etc. prominent from Chiplun were : Shri Vinayakrao Barve, Sathe, Rajadhaksha, Khansaheb Desai, Bendake, Shivaram Jadhao. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar presided over the conference. [1]
Delivering his address, Dr. Ambedkar told the people that,
“ He had now come to believe that the purpose of his life was to struggle for the welfare of the downtrodden. He said that he came of a poor family and had lived among the poor in an Improvement Trust Chawl in Bombay. I know your grievances,” Dr. Ambedkar continued, “ the Khoti system is sucking your blood. This system of land tenure must be abolished. Its abolition will bring you peace and progress. In order to achieve your goal you must keep the agitation going on. India is likely to attain full control of its destinies in the coming four or five years. At that time you must take particular care to send to the Legislatures the right type of men as your representatives who would devoutly struggle for the abolition of this Khoti system. ” [2]
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1 : Bahishkrit Bharat, dated 3rd May 1929.
2 : Keer, Pp. 128-129.