The article of Gopal Guru, a learned professor from Pune University, appeared in Dalit Voice of April-15 1991, is thought provoking. But the cursory statements made against some individuals are not only purely imaginary and biased but based on false reporting and gossips to defame and to damage the image of individuals also.
Guru has charged in his article that Gangadhar Pantawane joined not only the ABVP — sponsored Sandesh-Yatra but also shared the platform of Samarasta Manch on various occasions in the State to respect Savarkar, a Hindu leader.
In fact, | have not attended the so-called Sandesh Yatra. | was never concerned with this Yatra. Therefore, I wonder how the learned professor made such a baseless statement. Is it a conspiracy against me? Intellectuals like Gopal Guru are expected not to make such statements that would be very harmful to one’s career. I am in no way concerned with the ABVP, BJP, RSS or Samaras Aia Manch. I am not a member of these associations. I am not even a Hindu. I have embraced Buddhism on Oct. 14, 1856 with Babasaheb Ambedkar at Nagpur. Thus, how can I join the Hindutva Adi sangha tanas?
I must make it clear that I was invited by the Samaras Ata Manch three years back and that too only once. In my speech I emphasized Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar’s ideology which was not liked by the members of the Samaras Ata Manch. This speech is published. Those who have read or listened me cannot object my purpose. I think Guru has not read my speech like others. In this speech, I have not praised any Savarkar or Hedgewar. How can I? On the contrary, I strongly said without accepting the thoughts of Babasaheb on casteless society and interacts marriages, Manch has no meaning. So, I have attended only one function of the Manch on their invitation and I spoke boldly on Babasaheb’s teachings. I don’t think I did wrong. To my surprise thereafter Manch people never invited me for any occasion. In this regard, I should say that am I the only person who was invited by the Hindutva Vadis? No not at all. Our leaders like Dadasaheb Gaikwad, Barrister Khobragade, R.S. Gavai, Shantabai Dani also have shared their platforms for various reasons. Well known writers like Shankar Rao Kharat, Pl Sinkable, Dr. Yashwant Manohar (the disciple of Gulab Baba), Datta Bhagat, Daya Pawar, Keshav Meshram, Laxman’ 29 Dalit Voice Gaikwad, (award winner-Sahitya Academy), Shanta Bai Kamble (mother of well-known Janata Dal leader, Prof. Arun Kamble) have also graced the various functions of above associations. Does Guru believe that these personalities are anti-Ambedkarites or Hindutva Adi? Guru has deliberately ignored the names of these writers and he only concentrated upon me. I have always criticised Savarkar and Hedgewar (see my book Journalist Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Dhammasampada — Dr. Ambedkar Birth Centenary issue and various articles). I was never a disciple of Savarkar or other Hindu leaders. My inspiration is only Dr. Babasaheb and Dr. Babasaheb only.
I have great regard for Dalit Voice. But to my surprise that in what way the editor of DV has given the subtitle ‘Gangadhar Pantawane joins Nazis?’ I do not understand. Why did Guru and the editor of DV play gossip to spread rumors and defame myself without peeping into reality?
