68 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
“Dr. B. R. Ambedkar returned to London on Sunday, January 4, 1932. He left London, and embarking at Marsecilles, on January 15, 1932 reached Bombay on January 29, 1932. On board were the British Members of the Franchise Committee, appointed by British Premier, of which Dr. Ambedkar was also a Member. As usual Dr. Ambedkar’s purchases were with him. They were twenty four boxes of new books.
Dr. Ambedkar was to land at six O’clock in the morning. A huge crowd of his followers and admirers had been awaiting his arrival since early dawn. Some leaders of the Depressed Classes including P. Balu and Kajrolkar, though politically inclined to Gandhi, garlanded and greeted him on the deck.
Dr. Ambedkar and his fellow-passenger, Maulana Shaukat Ali, landed at the Mole station. The Muslim leader and the Depressed Classes leader were received amidst a burst of cheering. Addressing the huge crowds of the Muslims and the Depressed Classes, the Muslim leader said that every man must have an underviating faith in his cause, and he appreciated the courage shown by Dr. Ambedkar in fighting for his cause. Shaukat Ali and Dr. Ambedkar were then taken out in procession which terminated at Byculla.
To the Depressed Classes Dr. Ambedkar now became a symbol of strength, hope and ambition. It was now proved that he could not be suppressed. He had ably led the Untocuchables to the end of an epoch. The dead cells of the Depressed Classes were filled with new energy, new blood and new inspiration. That energy, vision, and consciousness would hold on in spite of difficulties and dangers.
The same evening, at a mass meeting at Parel, Bombay. Dr. Ambedkar was presented with an address on behalf of one hundred and fourteen institutions.” [1]
1 : Keer, P. 193.