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UNLESS CASTELESS AND CLASSLESS SOCIETY IS CREATED, THERE WILL BE NO PROGRESS IN INDIA
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, former Law Minister of the Union Government, said in Bombay on Wednesday, May 27th 1953 that he would devote the rest of his life to propagate Buddhism.
Dr. Ambedkar, who was addressing a meeting organised by the All-India Scheduled Castes Federation at the Nare Parkmaidan, to celebrate Lord Buddha’s birthday, condemned the Caste System and said that unless a casteless and classless society was created, there would be no progress in the country.
He was happy to note that Hindus also were participating in large numbers in the celebration.
He was sure that Buddhism would rapidly spread in India.
Among the other organisations which celebrated Buddha’s birthday were the Buddha Society and the Boudh Dharma Prachar Samiti.
The offices of the Government of India in Bombay remained closed on Wednesday on account of Buddha Jayanti.
The day was also a postal holiday.
Banks and offices of the State Government worked as usual as the day was not a public holiday.’ [1]
C. I. D. report of the meeting is as follows—
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar presided over a meeting held under the auspices of the Buddha Dharma Prachar Samiti, on May
27th 1953 at Nare Park, Parel, Bombay. While addressing the audience (5,000) he said that there were many points of difference between the Hindu religion and the Buddhistic religion and that be remaining in the Hindu religion, the Harijans would not improve their lot. He also declared that he had determined to carry on propaganda of the Buddhistic religion.” [2]
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1 : The National Standard, dated 28th May 1953.
2 : Bombay City, S. B; (i), C. I. D; dated 27th May 1953.