Perunthalaivar Prof. M. C. Rajah and The Andhra Depressed Classes Conference (1935).

Prof. M. C. Rajah at Rajahmundry (1935)

Under the Presidentship of Perunthalaivar Prof. M. C. Rajah the Andhra Depressed Classes Conference was held at Rajahmundry, Andhra Pradesh in June 1935 (erstwhile Madras Presidency). Urdu Subbarao of East Godavari and Dr. Zeerdas of Guntur were elected Provincial Secretaries. Shanmugam of Nellore was authorised to organise District Committees.

Prof. M. C. Rajah exhorted the depressed classes to discard the distinctions that prevailing among them such as Mala and Madiga. He protested against the creation of the upper house in the provincial legislatures. He said that If in defiance of public opinion the upper chamber was created, he requested the Government to allot adequate representation to the depressed classes in the upper chamber.

Here some important resolutions passed in the conference:

1. To increase the strength of the depressed classes hostel located in Masulipatam.

2. With a view to liquidating illiteracy among the depressed classes, the Conference requested the government to introduce compulsory elementary Education among the Depressed Classes, and further requested to introduce a scheme of education which would give due important to technical education.

3. To support the Anti-Untouchability Bill introduced by Rao Bahadur M. C. Rajah in the Central Legislative Assembly (Today's Parliament)

4. Requested the Government and the local bodies to reserve at least one-fifth of the appointments under their control for the depressed classes.

5. Requested the Government and the public to place all productive land by legislation in the hands of only people who had taken to agriculture as profession. The Conference further requested the Government to set apart by legislation one-third of the annual produce for the agricultural labourer.

6. The Conference drew the attention of the public to the importance of forming the Andhra Provincial Agricultural Labour Association.

7. Out of the thirty seats reserved for the Depressed Classes in the Madras Legislative Council under the new reform scheme, the Conference requested the Government to allot 15 seats to the Andhra Depressed Classes.

Here some excerpts of Perunthalaivar Prof. M. C. Rajah's speech at this Conference:

"To take opportunity by the forelock is a golden rule for success. Unless we risk no profit can be gained. Suspicion breeds suspicion; and when there is no vision the people will perish. Everyone one of us has to live in our mother country [India]. We are the ancient inhabitants of this land and this country is dear to us and we are not going to migrate from our country. My humble suggestion is that at this juncture to advise the community to mark time in political advancement, when others are going forward with rapid strides, will be to put a brake on the progress of the community itself. Let us put our shoulders together to bring the community almost in line with the other Communities of India......The lack of unity has become an handicap to the amelioration work. It should be noted that without the unity, the interest of the people is bound to suffer....So let me conclude my address by asking you to unite among ourselves. United we stand, divided are fall."

~ Ambeth Collections ~