562 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
sorrow that even Kavitha Harijans no longer want to agitate for their rights. They have meekly submitted to the Savarna impudence. In spite of all the help offered to them, they would not leave Kavitha. It is easy enough for the few that are there to earn their bread by honourable toil elsewhere. The attempt of the reformers to induce them to leave Kavitha under their protection has failed.
“Even if change of faith, not on account of its inherent inadequacy but because of the unreasoning prejudice of many of the followers, were justified, in the present instance it can but defeat the cause intended to be served. Secession of stalwarts like Dr. Ambedkar can but weaken the defences of Harijans. We know, as a matter of fact, that Non-Hindu Harijans, no matter how eminent they may be, are not able to help Hindu Harijans. Indeed, they are a class apart still in their adopted faiths. Such is the hold Untouchability of the Indian type has on the people of India.
“Let not Dr. Ambedkar’s just wrath deject the reformer, let it spur him to greater effort. For whilst it is true that the number of workers against Untouchability has greatly increased, there can be no doubt that the number is yet too small to overtake the prejudice of ages. Nevertheless (with) a movement which has attained the proportions that the Anti-Untouchability campaign has attained and in which the slightest untoward incident can attract world-wide attention, (Untouchability) cannot but be on its last legs. Humanity will not suffer it any longer.” [1]
II
In an article published in the Harijan, dated March 21,
1936, Bapuji observed:
“Ever since Dr. Ambedkar has thrown the bom-shell in the midst of Hindu society in the shape of threatened conversion frantic efforts have been made to wean him from the proposed step. Dr. Ambedkar’s threat has had its repercussions on
1 : Government of India, The Collected Works of Mahatma Gandhi. The Publication Division, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, New Delhi. Volume LXII, Pp. 64-65. Reprinted, Busi Dr. Pp. 299-301.