| Great Leaders |
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| Biographies of Great Indians & Hindus |
Dr.B.R.AMBEDKAR |
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| Chowdar TankAmbedkar had personal experience of the humiliation and the
injustice of ‘untouchability’. He did not want the pity of other for the
‘untouchables’. In his view, others could not uplift the
‘untouchables’. Justice cannot be granted by others. Those who suffer because of
injustice should themselves secure justice.
Ambedkar felt that the ‘untouchales’ had lost their individuality for centuries; it was impossible to wake up such people through speeches and slogans. He decided to revolt against the blind beliefs of the Hindus. The Chowdar Tank Satyagraha was a result of this decision. The Bombay Legislature had already passed a bill. According to this, the government had decided that all could use public tanks to wells. On the basis of this decision, the Mahad Municipality in colaba district had resolved that Chowdar Tank could be used even by the ‘untouchables’. But they had not given effect to it. Ambedkar resolved to raise the flag of equality by using the water of this tank. On the appointed day Ambedkar touched the water first. Then, many of his followers drank the water. Till then the ‘untouchables’ had not been allowed to go near the tank. Ambedkar proved that water created by God belonged to all. But after a couple of hours some one spread the rumour that Ambedkar’s men would enter even the Veereshwara Temple. The other Hindus attacked Ambedkar and his men. In this clash, Ambedkar was injured. This incident opened a new chapter in the social life of India. Many sensible Hindus condemned these actions. They began to say that there is nothing wrong in the ‘untouchalbes’ taking water from wells and tanks. |
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