NOT JUST FOR WATER BUT TO ESTABLISH HUMAN RIGHTS

Before the Bole Resolution was passed in 1923, the Chavdar Tank in Mahad was among the many water sources denied to the Dalit Community.

BOLE RESOLUTION

The Bole Resolution (August 4, 1923) said, “The Council recommends the Untouchable Classes be allowed to use all public watering places, wells and dharmashalas (Rest houses) which are built and maintained out of public funds or administered by bodies appointed by Government or created by statute, as well as public schools, courts, offices and dispensaries”

Mahad Municipality, which was part of Bombay Province territory, had reaffirmed this resolution in 1924. However, the resolution remained on paper until Dr Ambedkar and his companions went to drink water from the Chavdar tank of Mahad on March 20, 1927.

MAHAD CONFERENCE

Dr Ambedkar had gone to Mahad for a two-day conference organised by Kolaba District Depressed Classes on March 19–20, 1927 on the invitation of Ramachandra Babaji More. Dr Ambedkar presided over this conference, which was attended by thousands of delegates. The main agenda of the gathering was to raise awareness about the civil rights of Dalits. During the conference it was decided that the attendees would march to Chavdar tank and the “untouchables” will assert their moral and legal right to access a public water body.

AND SO DALITS WENT TO DRINK THE WATER AT CHAVDAR TANK

The Bole Resolution (August 4, 1923) said, “The Council recommends the Untouchable Classes be allowed to use all public watering places, wells and dharmashalas (Rest houses) which are built and maintained out of public funds or administered by bodies appointed by Government or created by statute, as well as public schools, courts, offices and dispensaries”

Mahad Municipality, which was part of Bombay Province territory, had reaffirmed this resolution in 1924. However, the resolution remained on paper until Dr Ambedkar and his companions went to drink water from the Chavdar tank of Mahad on March 20, 1927.

RUMOUR THAT STILL LINGER ON

Two hours after the event, upper-caste Hindus raised a false rumour that the “untouchables” were also planning to enter the temple of Veereshwar, which prompted many to gather with bamboo sticks at street corners. They dashed into the pandal. Many of the delegates were at that time scattered in small groups in the city. Some were busy packing and a few were taking their meals before dispersing for their villages. The majority of the delegates had by now left the town. The rowdy mob pounced upon the delegates in the pandal, knocked down their food in the dust, pounded their utensils and beat them.

Mahad satyagrah wasn’t just about water but human rights, but discrimination on the basis of caste is still practiced regularly in various educated class households. The rumour that helps propagate this discrimination is hygiene. I have always wondered, if those who clean our filth aren’t considered clean then is there anything in our civilisation that’s completely clean?

AND WE CONTINUE TO ESTABLISH HUMAN RIGHTS THROUGH OUR MOVEMENT

Today, after 93 years of Mahad Satyagraha, a Dalit man named Bapurao Tajne had to dig his own well in order to fulfil the need of WATER for his family. Bapurao Tajne had no option but to spend 40 days digging a well after his wife attempted to draw water from the well of someone of a higher caste and was denied — and humiliated. The goal of Mahad Satyagraha and the arguments Dr Ambedkar put forth on 19th March 1927 in the Depressed Classes Conference, are still so relevant today for the society we live in. We need to read and understand what Dr. Ambedkar said and worked for - the cause of establishing a just and equal society based on liberty, equality, and fraternity.