1. बहिष्कृत हितकारिणी सभा

BAHISHKRIT HITKARINI SABHA

Dr. Ambedkar organized a meeting on 9th March 1924 at Damodar Hall, Bombay, with objectives to establish a Central Institute which would place the grievances of the Untouchables before the Government and after many discussions, Central Institute was established. He proposed the name of the Institute as ‘Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha’ which was supported by all. The Vow of the Institute was decided “Educate, Agitate and Organize” and was approved unanimously. Mr. Sir Chimanlal Harilal Setalvad, LL.,D. became the President of Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha and Mr. Never Nissim, J. P. was Vice President, Mr. Rustamji Jinwala, Solicitor, Mr. G. K. Nariman, Dr. R. P. Paranjape, Dr. V. P. Chavan, Mr. B. G. Kher, Solicitor, were included in the Committee. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was the Chairman of the Managing Committee while Mr. S. N. Shivatarkar, Secretary and Mr. N. T. Jadhav was Treasurer. The Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha was established on 20th July 1924 and was registered under the Act XXI of 1860.

Dr. Ambedkar framed constitution of this institution. Following is the text of the constitution.— Editors. BAHISHKRIT HITKARINI SABHA (Registered under the Society Registration Act) Rules of Constitution Established 20th July 1924 Head Office Damodar Hall, Parel Bombay - 12.

Printed at the Co-operative Printing Press, 91, B, Parel Road, Near Venus Cinema, Chinchpokli, Bombay-12.

BAHISHKRIT HITKARINI SABHA

Memorandum of Association I. The name of the Society will be :— “Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha”

II. Its activities will be confined to the Presidency of Bombay.

III. The Head Office of the Sabha will be situated in Bombay.

IV. The aims and objects of the Sabha will be— (a) To promote the spread of education among the Depresses Classes by opening Hostels or by employing such other means as may seem necessary or desirable.

(b) To promote the spread of culture among the Depressed Classes by opening Libraries, Social Centers and Classes or Study Circles.

( c) To advance and improve the economic condition of the Depressed Classes by starting Industrial and Agricultural Schools.

(d) To represent the grievances of the Depressed Classes.

( e) To organize or help any club, association or any movement calculated to bring about the general enlightenment, social rise or economic betterment of the Depressed Classes.

(V) In pursuance of the above objects and for the purpose of carrying out the same:— (1) To purchase, hire, lease or otherwise acquire any rights and privileges necessary or convenient for the purpose of the Sabha.

(2) To erect, construct, alter and maintain any building or buildings necessary or convenient for the purpose of the Sabha.

(3) To sell, improve, develop, exchange, lease, mortgage, dispose of, turn to account, manage or otherwise deal with all or any part of the property or rights and privileges of the Sabha.

(4) To accept donations or property for general or specific purposes of the Sabha on condition or conditions not inconsistant with the aims and objects of the Sabha.

(5) To amalgamate with or incorporate within itself any Society or Association with aims and objects similar to the aims and objects of the Sabha. VI. The Government of the Sabha will be conducted by : (i) Board of Trustees (ii) Council of Management (iii) Board of Control appointed in accordance with the rules of the Sabha. VII. At any meeting of the Board of Trustees, Council or Management and Board of Control, the quorum will consist of 10, 7 and 15 members of those bodies respectively. No quorum will be necessary for any adjourned meeting.

VIII. No member of the Board of Trustees, Council of Management and Board of Control will be entitled to any pecuniary benefit from the properties and funds of the Sabha by reason of its being such member of the Board of Trustees, Council of Management or Board of Control.

RULES

1. Any person either male or female who is above the age of 18 years will be eligible for membership of the Sabha.

2. Any person desirous of becoming a member of the Sabha may apply on the form of application provided for that purpose.

3. The Council of Management will have power to admit or refuse any application for membership.

4. The General Body of the Sabha will have power of dismissing any member of the Sabha for gross misconduct endangering the interest of the Sabha by a vote of 3/4 of the members present at the meeting.

5. The members of the Sabha will be classified as follows: (i) Patrons : Those who pay Rs. 3,000 or more in one sum or in such suitable instalments as the Council of Management may approve of.

(ii) Supporters : Those who pay Rs. 2,000 or more in one sum or in such suitable instalments as the Council of Management may approve of.

(iii) Sympathisers: Those who pay Rs. 1000 or more in one sum or in such suitable instalments as the Council of Management may approve of.

(iv) Life Members: Those who pay Rs. 500 or more in one sum or in such suitable instalments as the Council of Management may approve of.

(v) Associate Members : Those who pay Rs. 200 or more in one sum or in such suitable instalments as the Council of Management may approve of. (vi) Ordinary Members : These will be of the following classes :

A : Those who pay Rs. 25 per Year B : ” ” ” Rs. 10 ” ”

C : ” ” ” Rs. 5 ” ”

D : ” ” ” Rs. 3 ” ”

E : ” ” ” Re. 1 ” ”

Board of Trustees :

6. There will be 16 Trustees of the Sabha for life in whom will be vested all the immoveable and moveable property of the Sabha as well as all the funds of the Sabha in whatsoever form. Of these 16 at least 4 shall be residents of Bombay.

7. The Board of Trustees will be elected in the first instance by the General Body of the members of the Sabha. Any vacancy occurring in the Board of Trustees by death, resignation, incapacity or residence abroad will be filled up by a vote 3/4 of the General Body of the members of the Sabha assembled for that purpose within 6 months from the occurrence thereof.

8. The Board of Trustees will at all times contain a member or members of the Mahar, Chambhar, Mang and Dhed communities and shall be so constituted that it would have 4 Trustees from Konkan, 2 from Gujarat, 2 from Kanerese and 8 from other districts of the Bombay Presidency.

9. All property moveable and immovable and all funds will be held in the name of the Trustees.

10. The Council of Management will submit an annual Budget of Expenditure appropriated under convenient major and minor Heads with the Expenditure to be incurred thereon in the coming year and the same shall come into operation as passed by the Trustees. Provided that the Council of Management may submit supplementary budget at any time during the course of the year.

11. The Trustees will meet at least once a year within three months from the close of the previous official year of the Sabha for the purpose of passing the Annual Budget and will meet as often as may be necessary for passing supplementary budget on the requisition of the Council of Management. At all meeting of the Board of Trustees the majority vote will prevail.

12. At all Budget meeting of the Board of Trustees the Chairman of the Council, the General Secretary and the Treasurer will sit as additional members. Provided that none of them will have the right to vote unless they are themselves Trustees.

13. There will be previous notice of one month for every meeting of the Board of Trustees and for every meeting of the General Body of the members of the Sabha for the purpose of electing a Trustee.

14. The Trustees will have the right by a resolution duly passed, to delegate their powers to one or more of their members and to

authorise that certain properties and funds will be vested in or dealt with in the name of one or more of their members.

15. The Trustees will have the right of voting on any proposition or question by circular issued in that behalf by the General Secretary. All Resolutions so voted on by circular will be embodied in the minute book of the Board of Trustees.

16. The Trustees may choose from among themselves a chairman for their meeting from time to time who will sign the minutes of the meeting before the meeting is dissolved.

17. The Secretary of the Sabha will be ex-officio Secretary of the Board of Trustees and shall prepare the minutes of every meeting of the Board of Trustees.

Council of Management

18. The Council of Management will be the executive of the Sabha for the official year and will consist of 20 members of the Sabha constituted as follows: (i) Four elected every year by the Board of Trustees from such among themselves as are residents at Bombay.

(ii) Twelve elected every year by the General Body of the Sabha.

(iii) Four co-opted every year by the 16 composed of (i) and (ii) from among the Depressed Classes members of the Sabha.

19. Any vacancy occurring in the Council of Management by death, resignation, incapacity or residence abroad of any member thereof will be filled up by the remaining members of the Council by a resolution duly passed at a meeting to be called for the purpose.

20. The Council will have the power :

(a) To hold and manage the funds and properties of the Sabha for the purpose of the Sabha on behalf of the Trustees of the Sabha.

(b) To hire, purchase or otherwise, acquire and dispose of properties and materials for the benefit of the institutions and activities of the Sabha in the name of the Trustees of the Sabha.

(c) To organize any activity or open any institution falling within the aims and objects of the Sabha. (d) To abolish any institution or activity permanently or temporarily : provided that no Hostel will be abolished permanently or temporarily except by the vote of the 4/5th of the Trustees of the Sabha. (e) To open or close Branches of the Sabha wherever and whenever it appears advisable to do so. (f) To appoint the staff or other workers from time to time and fix their salary and terms of employment and to suspend and dismiss them when necessary. (g) To frame, alter and amend bye-laws regulating the various activities of the Sabha and the conduct and management thereof and the bye-laws to framed will have the force of rules until the same are amended or abrogated by the Board of Control. (h) To declare a vacancy if a Member of the Council fails to attend four meetings of the Council in succession.

(i) To maintain a regular list of all contributors. (j) To arrange for the convening of the meeting of the General Body of the members of the Sabha and the meetings of the Board of Trustees and the Board of Control.

21. The Council will at its first meeting elect from its own members one Chairman, one General Secretary and one Treasurer. Besides these the Council may elect one or more of its members to act as Assistant Secretaries or Organizing Secretaries to be in charge of specific functions or activities. Any vacancies in the post of these office bearers occurring during the course of the year may be filled at the next ordinary monthly meeting by the remaining members of the Council by a resolution duly passed at a meeting to be called for the purpose.

22. The Chairman, General Secretary and Treasureres will be jointly responsible for the proper deposit and withdrawal of moneys belonging to the Sabha. They will deposit the moneys in the name of the Trustees of Sabha in the Bank or Banks appointed by the Council.

23. All withdrawals of money will be in strict conformity with the Budget and will be operated upon under the joint signatures of the Chairman, General Secretary and Treasurer.

24. The meetings of the Council will be ordinary or special.

25. All receipts and withdrawals of moneys of the Sabha shall be placed before the next ordinary monthly meeting of the Council.

26. Ordinary meeting of the Council will be held on or about the 15th of every month.

27. Any ordinary meeting adjourned for want of quorum will again meet on five days’ clear notice on such day as the Chairman or in his absence, the General Secretary may fix.

28. Seven days’ clear notice is necessary for the ordinary meeting of the Council and the agenda must be circulated with it.

29. The ordinary meeting of the Council will transact business as under:

(a) Reading of Minutes of the last meeting. (b) Passing of montly statements of accounts and reports from the institutions, brances of the Sabha and of activities.

(c) Disposing of letters, proposals and other communications submitted by the Secretaries. (d) Deciding upon questions relating to the general administration of the affairs and estate of the Sabha.

(e) Passing of bills and expenditure incurred. (f) Any other business with the permission of the Chairman.

Special Meeting of the Council

30. The Chairman or Secretary may convene a special meeting of the Council at 3 day’s notice.

31. Any four members of the Council may, by a written requisition to the General Secretary call for a special Meeting of the Council which will be Summoned by him within 10 days from the receipt of the requisition.

32. The requisition will specify its purpose and the same will be circulated along with the notice of meeting.

33. The rules as to quorum at an ordinary meeting will also apply to the special meetings of the Council. Chairman

34. The Chairman will :

(a) Preside at all meetings of the Council and in case of equality of votes he shall have a casting vote in addition to his own as a member :

Provided that in the absence of the Chairman such member of the Council as may be voted to the chair will preside and will exercise such of the powers of the Chairman as pertain to the conduct of the meeting of the Council (b) decide all questions of order and procedure at the meeting of the Council and his decision will be final (c) sign all vouchers (d) carry on all foreign correspondence of the Sabha (e) communicate to the President and Vice-Presidents the minutes of the business transacted at the ordinary and special meetings of the Council. General Secretary

35. The General Secretary will :

(a) be responsible for and be in charge of all the records of the Sabha

(b) convene all meetings of the Council, Board of Trustees and the Board of Control whenever necessary, according to Rules of the Sabha and will record minutes of proceedings of their meetings (c) call for the monthly statements of accounts and other reports from the heads of institutions and brances of the Sabha and will record minutes of proceedings of their meetings (d) carry on the home correspondence of the Sabha (e) keep a proper register of the members of the Sabha with their proper addresses (f) submit an annual report to the General Meeting of the Sabha.

Treasurer

36. The Treasurer will :

(a) receive all subscriptions and donations collected on behalf of the Sabha and pass receipts for the same (b) keep regular books of accounts (c) make all disbursements (d) prepare and submit to the Council every year a statement of income and expenditure of the Sabha including statements of separate accounts of the various institutions properly audited by the Auditor appointed by the Sabha at the previous Annual General Meeting and forward the same to the Secretary for being annexed to the Annual Report of the Sabha.

Board of Control

37. The Board of Control will be the collective body of the Sabha and will consist of:

(a) The Trustees of the Sabha (b) The workers of the Sabha (c) Patrons

(d) Life members (e) Sympathisers (f) Associate members (g) One representative of every Branch of the Sabha. (h) The President, Vice-Presidents, the Chairman, General Secretary, Assistant Secretaries, Organizing Secretaries and the Treasurer.

38. The Board of Control will supervise the management of the affairs of the Sabha by the Council of Management whether or not it is in accordance with the rules and in case of any serious breach the President or any of the VicePresidents may call upon the Chairman of the Council to give proper explanation.

39. The President of the Sabha, of his own motion or at the written requisition of 10 members of the Sabha may call upon the Secretary to convene a meeting of the Board of Control which will be summoned within a month and a half from the receipt of the communication of the President in that behalf. The Council of Management will be bound by the resolution of the Board of Control on the matter in question, if passed by 2/3rd majority of the members present at the meeting.

40. There shall be previous notice of one month for every meeting of the Board of Control.

41. The President of the Sabha will preside at every meeting of the Board of Control. In his absence, any of the Vice-President present at the meeting may be voted to the Chair.

42. At all meetings of the Board of Control majority vote will prevail except when it is otherwise provided for by these Rules.

43. The General Secretary will be the ex-officio Secretary of the Board of Control and shall be responsible for recording the minutes of the preceedings of the Board which will be prepared and signed by the President before the meeting is dissolved.

General Body of The Sabha

44. There will be held every year in the month of February, a Meeting of the General Body of members of the Sabha.

45. The official year of the Sabha will close on the 31st December and the Annual General Meeting will be held every within two months after the close of the previous official year.

46. Only those members who have paid their subscription will be entitled to vote.

47. There will be a month’s previous notice for the meeting of the General Body of the members of the Sabha.

48. The President of the Sabha will preside at the Annual General Meeting of the Sabha. In his absence any of the VicePresident who is voted to the chair may preside.

49. The following business shall be transacted at the Annual General Meeting :— (a) To hear and adopt the Annual Report for the past year.

(b) To elect 12 members for the Council of Management for the coming year.

(c) To appoint an auditor for the coming year. (d) To elect one President and Vice-Presidents, not more than six for the coming year.

50. These articles of association and Rules of Consitution may be altered, amended, repealed or added to at any time by a vote of the 4/5th of the members of the Sabha present at a meeting specially convened for that purpose, provided that the same alteration, amendment, repeal or addition shall not have any force unless it is approved of by 3/4th of the Trustees of the Sabha.

zz Activities of the Bahishkrit Hitkarini Sabha at Bombay .— See appendix—XI