15. 28-9-1932 आध्यात्मिक अन्नापेक्षा भौतिक हिताची अधिक काळजी घ्या

CARE MORE FOR MATERIAL GOOD THAN FOR SPIRITUAL FOOD

After Poona Pact all the Untouchables were eagerly waiting for an opportunity to listen to Dr. Ambedkar. In such a situation the youths of Worli, Bombay had organised a public meeting. The meeting was held on Wednesday, 28th September, 1932 at the open ground of B. D. D. Chawls, Worli. Mr. Deorao Naik presided over the meeting. 1 Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, who had vigorously launched a movement in his own way at Nasik for temple entry, now swiftly changed the rudder of the ship of his movement. He urged his people to devote their energies to gaining political power. Addressing this meeting Dr. Ambedkar said : “The object of the temple entry movement is good. But you should care more for your material good than for spiritual food. You do not get food to eat, clothes to wear, opportunities of educating your children, and medical help for want of money. You should, therefore, be watchful of the political gains, and you must develop your strength and struggle for gaining material advancement in life.” It was at this meeting that he made a fervent appeal for a building fund to erect a central building to house the headquarters of the movement.” 2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 8th October 1932.

2 : Keer, Pp. 217-218.

ACT AND UTILISE THE POWER COMING INTO YOUR HANDS

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed a meeting on Sunday, 9th October 1932 at 10-30 p.m. on the ground of Improvement Trust Chawl on Belasis Road, Bombay. Mr. Bapusaheb Sahastrabuddhe, one of the main worker of Social Service League presided over the meeting. Shri S. N. Shivatarkar was also present. 1 Dr. Ambedkar in his speech vividly described to his people how hard they had made their struggle for existence by hankering after ideas about the unseen happiness in the other world rather than concentrating their minds on the material forces in this world.

In a heart-rending appeal he said “because people neglected the material needs of life and grew indifferent to the knowledge that enabled them to secure them, the country remained backward and her progress came to a standstill. “The appearance of Tulsi leaves around your neck,” he continued, “will not relieve you from the clutches of the money lenders. Because you sing songs of Rama, you will not get a concession in rent from the landlords. You will not get salaries at the end of the month because you make pilgrimages every year to Pandharpur. Because the major part of the society is absorbed in these worthless mysteries of life, superstitions and mysticism, the intelligent and self-centred people get ample scope and opportunities to carry out their anti-social designs. “I, therefore, appeal to you,” he concluded, “to act and utilise what little political power is coming into your hands. If you are indifferent and do not try to use it properly, your worries will have no end. Fear lurks in my mind that the slavery which we are fighting out may overtake us again. Will this awakening of ours be short-lived? ”2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 15th October 1932.

2 : Keer, P. 213.

ABANDON THE THOUGHT OF SLAVERY

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was presented with an address, on October 28, 1932, by the Rushi Samaj at the Sir Cowasji Jehangir Hall. Dr. P. G. Solanki an Untouchable leader presided over the meeting. The Volunteers of Samta Sainik Dal were present at the meeting place to look after the arrangements.1 Dr. Ambedkar warned his people not to get themselves lost in the temple entry movement and inter-dining. He told them that the problem of bread and butter would not be solved by it. “The sooner you remove the foolish belief that your miseries were pre-ordained, the better. The thought that your poverty is an inevitability, and is inborn and inseparable is entirely erroneous. Abandon this line of thought of considering yourselves to be slaves” he added. 2 zz 1 : Janata, dated 5th November 1932.

2 : Keer, P. 219.