APPENDIX—I
Gandhiji’s articles on Dr. B. R. Ambedkar’s proclamation of Conversion
In an article published in the Harijan, dated October 26,
1935 under the title “On Its Last Legs” Bapuji observed :
“Some critics have not hesitated to observe that it was preposterous for me to claim, in answer to Dr. Ambedkar’s threat to accept some other faith rather than die a Hindu, that Untouchability was on its last legs in spite of Kavitha. Indeed, Kavitha itself supports my claim. Kavitha had gone on ever since its birth living peacefully till an over-zealous worker, not knowing his own limitations, had put up Kavitha Harijans to dare to send their children to local school, though he knew that there was opposition from some Kavitha Savarnas. He had hoped, as had happended elsewhere, that Harijans had successfully asserted their right to send their children to public schools. But Kavitha Savarnas showed that they had not recognised the time spirit.
“Only a few years ago the Kavitha incident would have attracted no notice. There were very few reformers then. The few were to be found mostly in towns and cities. Now, thank God, their number is increasing and pesently every village will have its quota. But a few years ago Harijans could not be induced to resist Untouchability on any account whatsoever. It was part of their faith as it was of Savarnas’ faith. These columns contain sufficient evidence of the weekly progress made by the campaign against Untouchability. Phenomenal though the progress has been, Kavitha and the like show that it has not yet affected the majority of Savarnas in many places. The fact is a varning to the reformers and the Harijans that much has yet to be done before the hard hearts of Savarnas are melted.
“Let it be further observed that it was Savarna reformers who advertised the Kavitha tragedy and gave it an all-India importance. I have agitated Savarna conscience more than it was angered the Harijans. I have to note with shame and