Monday 2 March 2020

The Temple Entry Movement Updated Both Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar.

Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

In 1927, Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah's 'All India Depressed Classes Association' (First Pan-India Organization of Depressed Classes) launched a temple entry movement at Amravati. It was organised by Ganesh Gawai of Vidarba region, General Secretary of 'All India Depressed Classes Association'. Experience of the Malabar temple entry bill (including the actions of Mr. M. K. Gandhi and the Congress) had updated him to the next level i.e the Depressed Classes should be a Separate Minority in 1938.

In 1930, Babasaheb Dr. B. R. Ambedkar launched a temple entry movement at Nasik. It was organised by the Satyagraha Committee under its Secretary Bhaurao Gaikwad. Originally Ambedkar's object was to obtain a place of equality within the Hindu Fold. However experience of the Mahad Chaudar Tank satyagraha and the Nasik temple entry satyagraha had taught Ambedkar to the next level. In 1935, he updated himself and proclaimed, ".....I shall not die a Hindu."

Their experience made them together later. In Cripps Mission in 1942 as the representatives of the Scheduled Classes of India, Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. Ambedkar sought an assurance from Sir Stafford Cripps that the Scheduled Classes would be included in the racial and religious minorities. In Poona, Prof. M. C. Rajah wished Dr. Ambedkar for his 50th brithday at a public meeting in April, 1942.

Dr. B. R. Ambedkar on Prof. M. C. Rajah (1945):
"The only leading member from the Untouchable community was the late Dewan Bahadur Rajah. The Dewan Bahadur was a nominated member of the Central Assembly from 1927. He had nothing to do with the Congress either inside or outside the Assembly. Indeed, he was not merely a critic of the Congress but its adversary. He stood for separate electorates for the Untouchables to which the Congress was bitterly opposed... an intense supporter of Separate Electorates and the bitterest and the most vehement critic of caste Hindu tyranny."

Note: 
1927: Amravati (Prof. M. C. Rajah and Ganesh Gawai).
1930: Nashik (Dr. B. R. Ambedkar and Bhaurao Gaikwad)
Both aforementioned 'Temple Entry Movements' in Maharashtra were failed one.

Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Reference: 
* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Tamil Volume-16 / English Volume-09.