In a couple of days, we will be commemorating Ambedkar Jayanti—the birth anniversary of the architect of the Indian Constitution. This year’s celebration is particularly special, as it marks the first Jayanti after the symbolic moral reaffirmation of the Constitution during the highly anticipated 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
We know Dr. B.R. Ambedkar as a visionary statesman, a brilliant lawmaker, a devout Buddhist, and the principal architect of the Indian Constitution. But how many of us recognize him as a Satyagrahi?
Yes, Dr. Ambedkar too used non-violence as a means to pursue truth—much like Mahatma Gandhi. However, unlike Gandhi’s spiritual and political Satyagraha, Ambedkar’s Satyagraha was rooted in social justice. His fight was against the deeply entrenched caste system, and his cause was the dignity of the oppressed.
One of the most striking examples of this was the Mahad Satyagraha.
Mahad, located in the Raigad district of Maharashtra on the banks of the river Savitri, is also home to a significant Buddhist historical site. In August 1923, the Bombay Legislative Council passed a resolution stating that all citizens—regardless of caste—should have access to public utilities maintained by the government.
In January 1924, the Municipal Council of Mahad adopted this resolution. However, it failed to implement it due to resistance from caste Hindus.
In response, the Bahishkrit Hitakarini Sabha organized a historic conference on March 19–20, 1927, in Mahad. Over a thousand people gathered. At the conclusion of the event, the attendees—led by Ambedkar—marched to the town’s main water tank and drank from it, asserting their right to public water.
This act wasn’t just about water. It was about dignity.
The Mahad Satyagraha was one of the most powerful struggles led by Ambedkar to claim equal social rights for the so-called "untouchables." Although Ambedkar didn’t personally believe in Satyagraha as a long-term solution, he saw it as a means to appeal to the moral conscience of the dominant castes.
He remarked:
“It is not that you can solve your problems by Satyagraha. This is only a request to the upper-class Hindu mind. This movement is going to prove whether the Hindu mind treats human beings like human beings or not. This Satyagraha is going to change the hearts of Hindus. The movement will decide whether Hindu mind regards humanity in the new age.”
Source: https://www.allaboutambedkaronline.com/post/an-overview-of-the-mahad-satyagraha
Ambedkar’s legacy as a Satyagrahi may be lesser known, but it is no less inspiring. On this Ambedkar Jayanti, let’s remember not only the constitutional giant he was—but also the courageous reformer who dared to challenge society’s deepest injustices.
No comments:
Post a Comment