We have trusted Government long enough
We have trusted the Government long enough to remove “Untouchability”. But it has not lifted its finger to do anything in the matter and it has no right to ask us to stop. We must take the burden on our shoulders and do what we can to free ourselves from this course at any cost. If the Government does not help us, it must not at least hamper our just cause. It is no use telling us that we must not create ill-feeling between different classes and communities. This appeal by Government should be addressed to all the communities and not to us alone. It should specially be addressed to those communities who are in the wrong and who are sinning in the matter.
“My people don’t need me”
You may publish a translation of this in handbills and broadcast them among our people. I have been reading the telegrams regarding the struggle at Mukhed between our people and the castemen. I am glad to find that our people are prepared at all costs to carry on the fight to a success. I congratulate them on their splendid resolve. I see that you are starting Satyagraha on the 5th November. I hope you have made the best preparation. I am sorry. I am not there to help you. But I know that our people are now alive to their problem and that they do not need me every time-AP”.
The situation prevailing in Nasik during the Satyagraha was reported in the Times of India as follows: Editors.
“No Right to bathe in the Sacred Kunds, Nasik enduring decision against Untouchables.
(From our correspondent)
Nasik, June 6, 1932.
“On the whole I believe that Untouchables have neither the right to approach the four kunds (bathing pools) nor to bathe in them. Therefore, under Section 147(3) of the Cr.P.Code, I hereby prohibit all Mahars, Mangs, Chamars, Dheds, Bhangis and other Untouchables from exercising their alleged right of proceeding to and bathing in Lakshmana, Dhanushya, Ram and Sita kunds, until they obtain from a Civil Court an order entitling them to bathe there”. Thus observes Mr. L.N. Brown, District Magistrate of Nasik in the order passed today in connection with the inquiry instituted into the dispute between the Sanatanists and Untouchables in which the latter claim the right to proceed to and bathe in the Sacred kunds.
Dealing with the question of Irish Bridge Sandhwa located near the Ram kund, the Magistrate says that it appeared that this Sandhwa is used by the pilgrims doing the Pradakshina (a religious ceremony) or the sacred kunds. Its use as a thoroughfare is secondary. It is, I think, a fair education from the evidence that respectably dressed Christians and Mahomedans have been allowed to cross the Sandhwa. But this evidence is not strictly relevant to the present case which is concerned with the rights of Untouchable Hindus. It has not been proved that Hindu Untouchables have any right to use this Sandhwa.
When the Temple Entry Satyagraha was going on a move was forced to get the temple entry legalised by the Government. The background of the issue is as follows:
The temple entry movement in India received a setback when the courts of law held that entry in the temples by the Untouchables was illegal being against the established custom. Such judicial pronouncements turned out to be stumbling blocks in the ways of social reform undertaken by Mahatma Gandhi. Against this backdrop efforts were afoot to bring about legislation to overcome that barrier. Therefore, several Bills were intended to be introduced in the Central Legislature as well as the Provincial Legislatures. Of the Bills mentioned above, the most important were those of Dr. Subbaroyan’s Temple-Entry Bill and Ranga lyer’s Untouchability Abolition Bill.
(To be continued)
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings & Speeches, Vol. 17, Part-1 (p.192-194) 2003, Rs. 125. Maharashtra Govt., Manager, Govt. Central Book Depot, Near Charni Road Railway Station, Netaji Subhash Road, Bombay – 400 004.
