Shaileswar Yadav (STUDENT OF DHARMASHASTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY). The condition of depressed caste in India had always been a mere existence, somewhat like animals. In the regime of Peshwa, the so – called untouchables were not allowed to enter the city of Poona at certain times. When they were allowed to enter, they had to hang earthen pots around their necks to split into it. Even the untouchables were forced to tie a broom on their back so that they could brush away the land on which they stepped on. The reason was simple – untouchables were lowest in the varna system and the bottom down pressure of social stratification crushed them. Even a sight of untouchable was condemned by the privileged caste. Depressed caste was not allowed to drink water from the same reservoir, even if their throat parched with thirst.
However, in the year 1923, Bole resolution was passed by Mahad Municipality with slight changes in the year 1926. The Chawdar Tank under the Mahad Municipality was thrown open to depressed caste. This remained a gesture,as they were only allowed to consume water from the tank only legally. They were on the mercy of privileged caste, who then didn’t allow the depressed caste to even have a gaze over the tank.
The Depressed caste of Kolaba district, decided to hold a conference in Mahad on March 19 and 20, 1927. Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar presided over the conference as the president. The office bearers didn’t leave any stone unturned to bring people in masses. As a result, from teenagers of fifteen years to old men of seventy years attended the conference.
The conference passed resolution on important subjects. One resolution appealed the privileged caste to help untouchables secure their civil rights. Then the committee at night decided that the conference must go in body to the Chawdar Tank and assert their right to take water from the tank. This was a herculean step towards marking the uprising of untouchables and their awakening. This march was led by Dr. Ambedkar, a symbol of anti-slavery, anti-caste, anti- priest.
Everyone displayed discipline and enthusiasm. The march moved swiftly from the streets of Mahad and terminated at the Chawdar Tank. Dr. Ambedkar was the first person to drink water from the tank later followed by everyone else present over there. After breaking their chains of oppression and with a feeling of newness they returned to the Pandal at Mahad.
Two hours down the time, a false rumour was passed on by a privileged caste man. He falsely accused the untouchables of attempt to enter Veereshwar temple and pollute it. With rage to punish the untouchables, people with lathis and other weapons and dashed into the Pandal. At this time most of the depressed caste people were packing and were about to leave for their villages.
Untouchables were beaten up by the privileged caste Hindus. Twenty untouchables were injured. The orthodox Hindus didn’t even had mercy on women and children, frightening them at a sudden sweep.
A police inspector confronted Dr. Ambedkar on this matter, to which Babasaheb replied – “You control others, I will control my people.” Later, a huge crowd of untouchables burning in rage arrived at the stay of Dr. Ambedkar, they asked for his permission to revert back. A single sentence from Ambedkar could have turned the whole district into a battle ground. But Ambedkar kept his calm and asked everyone to return to their villages. He asserted his firm belief in law.
This step, filled the hearts of depressed caste with hope and inspiration. They started demanding for their civil rights and agitated against every discrimination.
This conference was first ever satyagraha by depressed caste. However, it is saddening to see that the Indian history text- books glorifies Champaran Satyagraha, Dandi march but fails to acknowledge first ever revolution by people deprived of basic human rights. It is worthy to note, this Satyagraha took place 3 years ahead of Dandi march. Mahad Satyagraha marked the onset of civil rights of untouchables provided by the law but sanctioned by social stratification. Whereas in Dandi march, people stood with a nationalist feeling breaking the law against British government.
It is highly unfair on the part of history – to not acknowledge the great struggle of depressed caste. The modern history of India is filled with nationalist movements and Congress – Gandhi. Whereas there is a pressing need to acknowledge the atrocities against depressed caste, done by their own countrymen.
(Ladai Jari Hai, Google News, Bhim Rao Ambedkar, Indore, Sehore, Jabalpur, DHARMASHASTRA NATIONAL LAW UNIVERSITY)