Perunthalaivar Prof. M.C. Rajah's Speech At The Domestic Servants Conference (1920).

Prof. M. C. Rajah's Speech in 1920

What a coincidence ..! Yesterday, I was planning to share a brief article about 'Perunthalaivar Prof. M. C. Rajah and United Punjab (India and Pakistan)'. But I was not able to do it. While reading today's The Hindu, I found that Prof. M. C. Rajah's speech has published on page 7 under 'A Hundred Years Ago April 28, 1920'.

// As regards the representation in the Legislative Council, though the Joint Parliamentary Committee had recommended six seats for us, you do not know what amount of difficulty I had in getting five seats reserved for us. //

Domestic Servants Conference:

A Conference of the Madras Domestic Servants of the European Employers was held. The Hon’ble Mr. M. C. Rajah in the course of his presidential address said: “Our demands are elementary. We have to plead hard for the most elementary rights of citizenship. We have often to ask that we may be treated as human beings. It is only the Christian missionaries among the European Employers that treat us at all sympathetically but with others our aspirations meet but with little sympathy. In the Legislative Council, I have often been reminded that my interpellations and resolutions relate to trifling matters. They may be trifling and insignificant to those engaged in the game of transcendental politics. They may not be so romantic as big political proposals. But “the toad beneath the harrow knows exactly where each tooth-point goes.” The Government seems to be under the impression that by appointing a few men of our community to the councils of the land, they have done their duty to our community. I am often told that my being on the Legislative Council is propositive of the interest the Government takes in our community. As regards the representation in the Legislative Council, though the Joint Parliamentary Committee had recommended six seats for us, you do not know what amount of difficulty I had in getting five seats reserved for us. I desire that we should be treated as office-servants and not as despicable slaves.

Lectures on Buddhism: (Madras, 1st September 1912)

Buddhism: Pandit Iyothee Thass, Appaduraiar, Ragavar, Periaswamy Pulavar

Lectures on Buddhism: (Madras, 1st September 1912)

Pandit C. Iyodhi Doss, the FIRST INDIAN BUDDHIST REVIVALIST, the founder of South Indian Sakya Buddhist Society, and the Editor of the 'Tamilian' will preside.

Place: Pudpet Opposite Corporation Building

Time: On Sunday at 2 P.M.

Lecturer and Subject:

1. M. Ragavar of Kolar: Aryan Invation.

2. G. Appaduraiar of Salem: Sivakachindamani and Periapuranum.

3. A. P. Periaswami Pulavar of Tirupettur: Buddhism and Vedanta.

With Kind Request of:

P. M. Sagathavar.

S. C. Audhikesavan.

Jai bheem...!

Image Courtesy: Via வெங்கடேஷ் சூனாம்பேடு

Prof. M.C. Rajah's Letter To Barrister. M.K. Gandhi (1938).

Prof. M. C. Rajah and  Barrister. M. K. Gandhi

"If we are not free to enter into Hindu Temples, we are No Hindus, and if we are not Hindus why should we be in a joint electorate with them? Is it for swelling their numbers as against Muslims and other communities?"

~ Prof. M. C. Rajah's letter to Barrister M. K. Gandhi (1938).

"... But he [Prof. M. C. Rajah] has declared himself openly as a bitter opponent of the Poona Pact." (in 1938)

~ Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (1945).

Experience of the Malabar temple entry bill (including the actions of Mr. M. K. Gandhi and the Congress) had updated Perunthalaivar Prof. M. C. Rajah in 1938 to the next level i.e the Scheduled Classes should be a separate minority. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar updated his thought in 1935. As the representatives of the Scheduled Classes of India in the Cripps Mission in 1942, Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar sought an assurance from Sir Stafford Cripps that they should be included in the racial and religious minorities.

Ambeth.,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Reference:
* Both Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah and Dr. Ambedkar Were Determined NOT to be Part of the Hindu Fold.

Some of The 'First' Scheduled Classes Women In India.

Scheduled Classes Women Leaders

* President of First AISCF Women Conference - Annai Meenambal Sivaraj.

* Member of Corporation (Madras) - Annai Meenambal Sivaraj.

* Deputy Mayor (Madras Corporation) - Annai Meenambal Sivaraj.

* Member of the Constituent Assembly of India - Dakshayani Velayudham (Kerala).

* Independent India's First MP - Maragatham Chandrasekar (Tamil Nadu).

* First Minister in India (Union Govt) - Maragatham Chandrasekar.

* First Minister (State Govt in India) - Jothi Venkatachalam (Tamil Nadu).

* First MoS of Home Affairs - Maragatham Chandrasekar.

* Tamil Nadu's First Non-Congress Union Minister - Dr. Sathyavani Muthu.

* Chairperson, Commission for SC/ST - Maragatham Chandrasekar.

* Chairperson, UPSC - R. M. Bethew (Meghalaya).

* Member of UPSC - Dham (Bihar).

* First M.L.A of Republican Party of India (Andhra Pradesh) - Eshwari Bai.

* Chief Minister - Behanji Mayawati (Uttar Pradesh).

* First Autobiographer - Shantabai Kamble (Maharashtra).

* World Carrom Champion - Revathy (Tamil Nadu).

* Leader of the Legislative Assembly (Andhra Pradesh) - Dr. Geeta.

* Speaker in a State Legislature - Prathiba Bharathi (Andhra Pradesh).

* India's 1st Woman Speaker of Lok Sabha - Meira Kumar (Bihar).

Ambeth.,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

(8 April 2012)

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 ~

Thatha Rettamalai Srinivasanar And Aranganayagi Ammal.

Thatha Rettamalai Srinivasanar and Aranganayagi Ammal.

Thatha Rettamalai Srinivasanar brought the rights that the Scheduled Classes to use the public roads, wells, tanks, etc in erstwhile Madras Presidency (Present-Day Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and parts of Kerala, Karnataka and Odisha):

When the Justice Party Ministry failed to eradicate the deep seated social injustices and social barriers, on 22nd August 1924, Thatha Srinivasanar moved an adjournment motion in the Madras Legislative Council recommending the Government that the members of the 'Depressed Classes' should be allowed freely on all common streets, roads, buildings to walk, then to be allowed to draw water from common wells etc. without any restrictions. Thereupon, the Government issued an order on 25th September 1924 regarding the use of public roads, wells, etc. by members of the Depressed Classes. This was accepted and a government order to this effect was issued in 1925. On the request of his wife Aranganayagi Ammal, he brought this resolution.

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.

Historic Speech of Dr. Thirumavalavan in the Lok Sabha on Secularism, Languages of India And Demand to Set Up a Central Pali University.

Dr. Thirumavalavan on Pali and Classical Language in Lok Sabha

Today, Hon'ble Dr. Thol.Thirumavalavan (VCK, Chidambaram, Tamil Nadu) delivered the historic speech in the Lok Sabha. Thank you very much for your demand to set up a Central Pali University. Here, the translation from Tamil with sub headings.

Secularism, Language and Race:

Secularism is one of the fundamentals of the government. A government should not run on the basis of religion as well as language and race. That is the beauty of good government. Through the meaning of the word secularism, we also need to expand and understand language and race. So, Secularism refers not only on the basis of religion but also language. 

Languages of India:

We are recognized 22 languages as the official languages of India under the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution of India. However, over a thousand languages ​​are spoken in India. There are a lot of languages which have no script. Such a language is Sanskrit. It does not have a script. It is a historical fact. It has antiquity but you have to admit that there is no script. With the help of Devanagari, It has been using the script.

Classical Languages:

In such a case, the central government seeks to set up three universities for a language in a single day. Here I would like to ask, why universities have not established for already recognized Classical languages such as Tamil, Malayalam, Telugu and Kannada? All Indian languages ​​should be treated equally. The Government of India should cooperate for the development of all languages. Only after Tamil, Sanskrit had recognized as Classical language. The question is not about whether Sanskrit is superior or Tamil is superior. The question is whether the government respects all languages or not. The Central government should establish the Central Universities for all Classical languages.

Demand to set up a Central Pali University:

I want to demand another thing. The contemporary of Sanskrit i.e the ancient Prakrit languages such as Pali had been spoken widely. Buddha spoke in Pali language. Buddhism spread world wide through the Pali language. Like how Sanskrit spread the Hindutuva, Pali spread the Buddhism. As of today, approximately there are about 1 crore Buddhists in India. For the growth and development of Pali language as well as the long standing request of the Buddhists, I would request the central government to set up a Central Pali University. Thank you.

~ Ambeth  ~

Jai bheem..!

Annai Meenambal Sivaraj and 'All India Depressed Classes Women's Conference'.

Annai Meenambal Sivaraj and Sulochanabai Dongre / SCF 1942

The All India Depressed Classes Women's conference held at Mohan Park, Nagpur, on July 20, 1942 in the presence of over 75,000 audience from the then provinces Madras, UP, CP, Bengal, Bombay and Punjab, and princely states like Mysore and Hyderabad. Women delegates and visitors numbered about 25,000. Revolutionary Ambedkar, Thanthai N. Sivaraj and other leaders from all corners of India were seated on the dais. Annai Meenambal was initially chosen to preside over this conference. Due to certain unavoidable reasons, she could not come to Nagpur. So that Sulochanabai Dongre of Amravati was chosen to preside over this conference.

Dr. Ambedkar and Annai Meenambal Shivaraj.

Note:
* Thanthai N. Sivaraj (Annai Meenambal's husband) presided over the 'All India Depressed Classes' conference held at Mohan Park, Nagpur, on July 17-20, 1942 and he was elected as the President of AISCF.
* Annai Meenambal presided over both the first and second AISCF Women’s conference held in Madras (1944) and Bombay (1945) respectively. These conferences were attended by both Thanthai Sivaraj and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

Compiled:
Ambeth.

Reference:
* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Tamil Vol- 37 / English Vol- 17, Part-III.

Also Read:

* Annai Meenambal Shivaraj -- National Level Woman Leader From The Scheduled Classes of India.

* Thanthai N. Sivaraj -- National Level Leader Who Worked for the Scheduled Classes of India.

Annai Meenambal Sivaraj, Thanthai Sivaraj and Dr. Ambedkar in Bombay.

B. C. Kamble (15 July 1919 - 6 November 2006).

B. C. Kamble

B. C. Kamble was one of the founder members of Republican Party of India in October 1957.

* On September 11, 1957 Martyr Immanuvel Sekaranar was murdered at Paramakudi, Southern Tamil Nadu by a Shudra caste group of Mr. Muthuramlingam. Along with Thanthai N. Sivaraj (President of RPI) and Periyavar Ratnam (President of RPI, TN Unit) in 1957, B. C. Kamble and G. K. Mane came to Ramnad district of Tamil Nadu. They condemned the Ramnad riots which erupted after the murder of Immanuvel Sekaranar. They published a pamphlet, raised their voices in Indian Parliament and requested to Mr. Nehru's Government to introduce a report in this regard to the Lok Sabha and asked for judicial enquiry.

* On Dec 9, 1957 as a Member of Parliament, he introduced a resolution demanding all the facilities which are given to the Scheduled Classes shall be given to the new Buddhists too. Thanthai Sivaraj also voiced for this. After a prolonged struggle of RPI, this demand was confirmed by Ram Vilas Paswan through V. P. Singh government in 1990.

* He contested in Vice-Presidential election in 1984, but he was defeated by Venkataraman.

* Editor of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's 'Janata' a weekly (1948-54) and 'Prabudha Bharat' a weekly (1956-58). Later he was the Editor of the Republic Weekly (1959-75).

* Member, Bombay Legislative Assembly, 1952-57. He was the only AISCF candidate who elected to Bombay Legislative Assembly in 1952 election. 

* Member, 2nd Lok Sabha (1957-62) and 6th Lok Sabha (1977-79).

Ambeth.

Jai bheem..!

Dr. Ambedkar Didn't Say "If Hindus Migrate To Other Regions On Earth, Indian Caste Would Become A World Problem."

S. V. Ketkar on Hindus migrate / Dr. Ambedkar Misquote

"As long as caste in India does exist, Hindus will hardly intermarry or have any social intercourse with outsiders; and if Hindus migrate to other regions on earth, Indian caste would become a world problem."

The above lines are often attributed to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Everyone knows that Babasaheb had a strong critique of Brahmanism / Hinduism. However, the above lines were not uttered by him. Many people wrongly quote the above mentioned words of Dr. Shridhar Ketkar as Babasaheb's words. Of course they may have taken these lines from Babasaheb's "Castes in India: Their Mechanism, Genesis and Development". Babasaheb had mentioned the original source that was taken from Dr. Shridhar Ketkar's "History of Caste in India, (Chapter 1, Page. 4)". Interestingly, Dr. Ketkar was a Chitpavan Brahmin from Maharashtra. He was a sociologist and historian.

Ambeth,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Reference:

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar: Writings and Speeches, Tamil Volume- 1 and English Volume- 1, Page.6.

Jai bheem...!!!

Single Song (Tamil) With Lot of Meanings: [ From Manual Scavenging Deaths To Rohith Vemula ].

Pariyarum Perumal - Naan Yaar Song- [Manual Scavenging deaths, Rohith Vemula]

Video Link: [https://youtu.be/fxYdH58_0P0?t=159]

Movie: Pariyerum Perumal (2018)

* Natham Issue (In Dharmapuri district, Tamil Nadu)- ILavarasan's Murder (2013).

* The culture of gang raping and killing of Scheduled Classes Women by the Caste Hindus of India.

* Institutional Murder (University of Hyderabad) - Rohith Vemula. (2016)

* Thamirabarani River / Manjolai Massacre of Tirunelveli, Tamil Nadu (1999).

* The Kilvenmani Massacre, Tamil Nadu (1968).

* Caste discrimination in the name of God and temple chariot-pulling.

* Caste discrimination: The double tumbler system.

* Caste Walls: By the Caste Hindus.

* Manual Scavenging deaths in India.

Ambeth,
Dharmapuri,
Tamil Nadu.

Asuran Movie: Thousand Kaalas / Asurans Should Be Evolved.

Asuran Movie: Panchami Land

To me, 1000 Kaalas / Asurans should be evolved in upcoming Tamil films as well as in all language films in India to discuss the issues faced by the Scheduled Classes of India. Asuran movie is based on the novel 'Vekkai' written by Sahithya Academy Winning Tamil writer Poomani. However some defects in this film, we should appreciate for some subjects which boldly speak.

Asuran Movie Speaks About:

# Panchami Lands i.e., Land is our right. It was given by the British government to the Scheduled Classes after the note of the then Chengalpattu Collector James Tremenheere in 1891. Pandit Iyothee Thassar had played vital role in it. Later these lands were mostly snatched by the 4th grade Shudra Hindus in Madras Presidency (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Parts of Kerala and Karnataka), although it cannot be sold to Non-Scheduled Classes.

# Making absurd on utopian 'Hereditary Rulers'. It is the noise often made by some 4th grade Shudra Hindu groups.

# Reminiscences of the Kilvenmani massacre in 1968 in Tamil Nadu. Brutally 44 Scheduled Classes were burning to death by the 4th grade Shudra Hindu Land Lords.

# Caste discrimination in Footwear: No Scheduled Classes can wear and walk with the slippers through the 4th grade Shudra Hindus Streets in Southern Tamil Nadu.

# An indispensable discussion should be needed to resolve the stagnant Caste system. Use education as a weapon for the social change in society.

Congratulations:

# Asuran Team # Director: Vetrimaaran

# Music: G. V. Prakash # Actor: Dhanush

# Special Mention: Pa. Ranjith. [For created a new discussion genre trends]

Ambeth.

Jai bheem...!!!

Feeling Happy: Short History of Thatha Rettamalai Srinivasanar and Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah in Tamil Nadu Text Book (New Syllabus 2019).

Thatha Rettamalai Srinivasanar and Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah

Really it makes me happy albeit not enough. Lack of documentation is one of the hurdles in Scheduled Classes history. Since my late teens i.e., late 10s, I have been indulging in writing and documenting unknown pervasive aspects of the Scheduled Classes Movement of India. Now, it gives me more motivation for my works. A lot more needs to be done towards documenting. We should create own niche.

School text books are the basic for generalized aspects of many things to children. It includes the society of India. In my school days, I never ever read about the history of the Scheduled Classes Movement or its leaders through the text books. Thanks to my father. He used to tell me regularly some historical facts in those days. The Scheduled Classes Movement of Madras Presidency (Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and parts of Kerala and Karnataka) is nothing but the Dravidian Movement. The basic seed originated from here. But none of the Shudra development parties discourse it anywhere. They have been ruling since late 1960s. 

I always wonder why one of the greatest sons of this soil Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah's name has been neglected in the pages of the history. In fact he has been neglected by his own fellows without known much about him. He was the pioneer of Mid-day meal scheme in India. Anyway, Times have changed now. Today, they have become inevitable in history. At present, We should give pressure to the Scheduled Classes MLAs and MPs to celebrate Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah's birthday as a state function of Government of Tamil Nadu and construct a memorial for him. Also steps should be taken to bring out his writings and speeches in a compiled manner.

Short history has been published in 10th Standard Social Science Book, English Volume - II, History, Unit 10: Social Transformation in Tamil Nadu, Page 76-77 [ For Tamil Medium: Page 85-86]. In this moment I want to mention, last year some parts of my article about "Saviour of Labours Rights in India -- Revolutionary Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. Broad Your Knowledge" was published in 9th standard Social Science Book (Term - II, Volume 4). My thanks to SCERT and 'Tamil Nadu Textbook and Educational Services Corporation' (Department Of School Education).

Regards,

Ambeth,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Jai bheem...!!!

Also Read:

* Thanks for supporting: I hope my work will be continuing more and more.

* Part of my article about Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar in Tamil Nadu Text Book (9th Standard Social Science Book).

Thanthai Sivaraj And Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium In Chennai.

Thanthai Sivaraj inaugurated the 'People Stadium' ( Today's Nehru Stadium) in Chennai.

As a Mayor of Madras (1945-1946), Thanthai Sivaraj was instrumental in bringing the 'People Stadium' in Madras. It was built and inaugurated in 1946. After the demolition of 'People Stadium', the new stadium was built in 1993. Later it was named after Mr. Jawaharlal Nehru in 1993 by Ms. Jayalalitha. The stadium earlier hosted cricket Test matches between 1956 and 1965. The highest opening partnership -- Pankaj Roy and Vinoo Mankad's 413 against New Zealand was recorded here in Chennai in 1956. It remained the world record till 2008.

Ambeth.,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Jai Bheem...!!!

Also Read:

* Thanthai N. Sivaraj -- National Level Leader Who Worked for the Scheduled Classes of India.

* 'Jai Bheem' ( English Weekly ) and Thanthai N. Sivaraj.

Request to A Group of Western India. Please Come Out From Your Region / State in Terms of Thoughts.

Mukta Salve

Historical Blunders:

Note: It is not a personal attack. My only request to a group of Western India. Please come out from your region / state in terms of thoughts. At least try to give respect for someone whom born among you and worked for you, instead of chanting others. We are now because of the relentless struggle and sacrifice of hundreds of leaders and thousands of people. Over devotion may hide this. I have no hesitation in saying this.

//Mukta Salve's letter: This might be the earliest available piece of writing by a Dalit girl. Quite possibly she is the first girl, representing 20 crore people today, who (thanks to Savitri bai) got a chance to learn reading and writing less than 170 years ago. //

It is totally a historical blunder. That's why I always say, "Most of Western India brethren (Particularly the 3rd largest state of India in terms of area) are confined to region in thoughts." Paying homage and showing gratitude are different things from showing someone as our Saviour in hyper. I have no problem with Mukta Salve. But problem is with 'first dalit girl' and showing someone as the saviour of whole Scheduled Classes of India. Keeping and Chants anyone as saviour is your rights. But don't tag as whole. 

OLD CONVERSATION: Savarna Rehab and Ambeth.

// Savarna Rehab: 

Mukta Salve, who was a student of Savitribai Phule. Quite possibly she is the first girl, representing 20 crore people today, who (thanks to Savitribai) got a chance to learn reading and writing less than 170 years ago. This is how short the history of education for 20 crore people of India is. //

Ambeth: 

What do you know about Avvaiyar (Tamil Sangam age), Janabai (14th Century), Soyarabai (14th Century), Nirmala (14th Century), Sooli Cholakka? Who were they?

// This is how short the history of education for 20 crore people of India is.//

What do you know about Thiruvalluvar, Ilam Bodhiyar, Munipaanar and Sathoganathar etc? Who were they?

// Savarna Rehab: 

Is there any conclusive evidence that Avvaiyar and Thiruvalluvar belonged to oppressed caste? This is lamentable that such bahujan/dalit thinkers and wisdom is kept under the carpet and is even harder for people like us who are looking for it to find. Maybe we should claim that "quiet possibly first". Please do share more details.//

Ambeth: 

Before enumerate the answer for your question, I want to brief why I commented here. First of all what you said, ''Quite possibly she is the first girl, representing 20 crore people today, who got a chance to learn reading and writing" is not a simple mistake. It is a historical blunder. May be she wrote it in the mid's of 19th century. It doesn't mean she was the first ever dalit girl. There were many dalits whom they against the inequality and oppression through their writings even before her. That's why I mentioned Avvaiyar, Janabai, Soyarabai etc., Tell me, how they wrote their poems to against inequality? By whom they got the chance to learn reading and writing? Dalits had a glorious past too. There were many intellectuals among them in the past. Let me know, who are Bahujans? Whether my aforementioned personalities are comes under it or not? Who are Avarnas?

Now I come to the point where you asked about the evidence. I wonder on you for not asked any evidence for Janabai, Soyarabai and Nirmala. Regional disparity? It’s okay. Do you know Thiruvalluvar or Valluvan is listed under the Scheduled Classes of Tamil Nadu? Did you know why Sanghis were opposed to the installation of 'Valluvar' statue in Uttarakhand in 2016? Did you know a European Civil Servant 'Ellis' who collected the Tirukural palm leaves from Kandappan via another Civil Servant George Harrington? Kandappan was the grandfather of Pandit Iyothee Thass. ( Note : Pandit Iyothee Thass was the Pioneer to E. V. Ramasamy Periyar and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. He founded the Sakya Indian Buddhist Society in Chennai). And I mentioned here about the first Avvaiyar (there were 3 Avvaiyar) who refuted the inequality through her poems. She was the contemporary of Thiruvalluvar.

Here the words of V.  I.  Muniswamy Pillay on Dr. Ambedkar in the Constituent Assembly of India (November, 1949):

".....The Scheduled Castes have produced a great Nandanar, a Tirupazanalwar, and above all a Thiruvalluvar, the great philospher whose name and fame is not only known throughout the length and breadth of India but of the whole world. To that galaxy of great men of Scheduled Castes now we have to add Dr. Ambedkar..."

Here the Scheduled Classes list in Tamil Nadu. (Attached the list of Tamil Nadu Govt)

// Savarna Rehab: 

Thanks for sharing those details, we would amend the post and do share these in another post.//

Ambeth: Jai bheem..!!

Both Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah and Dr. Ambedkar Were Determined NOT To Be Part of The Hindu Fold.

M. C. Rajah and Ambedkar in 1942

Misconception: // M. C. Rajah was determined to be part of the Hindu fold. //

This is totally wrong one. Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah​ was determined NOT to be part of the Hindu fold. In reality he was never a Hindu. In his early days he had considered himself to be part of the Hindu fold. But he changed in his opinion after the bitter experiences with Mr. Mohandas K. Gandhi and Congress in 1938. I know everyone is confined with Poona Pact whenever they hear Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah. It is not their mistake. Certainly, they are not aware of anything beyond it. They must read him beyond Poona Pact. Remember that M. C. Rajah was not responsible for the Poona Pact. That's Poona Pact was the product of Mr. M. K. Gandhi's injustice drama against the then Depressed Classes.

Everyone has opinion in differences. But all times the opinions are not always consistent. It gets updated with corrections. It applies to both Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar. If you read them, they were updated in many things. Yes, In his earlier days, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar firmly wished for remaining within the Hindu fold. But experience had taught him to next level. That's why Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar were made common cause in Cripps Mission in 1942. As the representatives of the Scheduled Classes of India they sought an assurance from Sir Stafford Cripps that the Scheduled Classes would be included in the racial and religious minorities on March 30, 1942.

Sir Stafford Cripps noted, "After telling me about the conditions of the Depressed Classes, particularly in Madras and Bombay, they [Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. B. R. Ambedkar] then went on to point out that under the system of election they would have a very small representation only in the constituent assembly, as most of their so-called representatives would be Congressmen, and that their position would therefore be very weak. They summed up the demands that they would make to the constituent assembly and then asked me whether we considered that they came within the racial and religious minorities, to which I answered yes, and what sort of provisions were likely to be made in the Treaty for their protection."

 Further in their joint statement to Sir Stafford Cripps they complained, "We are all of us absolutely convinced that the proposals are calculated to do the greatest harm to the Depressed Classes and are sure to place them under an unmitigated system of Hindu rule. Any such result which takes us back to the black days of the ancient past will never be tolerated by us, and we are all determined to resist any such catastrophe befalling our people with all the means at our command."

Cripps Mission, M. C. Rajah, Ambedkar

Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar explained the followings in April 26, 1942:

"I thought for long that we could rid the Hindu society of its evils and get the depressed classes incorporated into it on terms of equality. That motive inspired the Mahad Chaudar Tank satyagraha and the Nasik temple entry satyagraha. With that object in mind we burned the Manu smriti and performed mass thread ceremonies. Experience has taught me better. I stand today absolutely convinced that for the depressed classes there can be no equality among the Hindus because on inequality rest the foundations of Hinduism. We no longer want to be part of the Hindu society."

Unfortunately Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah was died in August 1943. Had not happened, it would have changed the course of the Scheduled Classes Movement. The great influence of Prof. M. C. Rajah and Dr. Ambedkar would have drifted the Scheduled Classes of India to be a minority as like as the Muslims brethren.

Ambeth.,

Dharmapuri,

Tamil Nadu.

Jai bheem..!

Reference:

* Cripps Mission (1942): Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah and Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar.

* Perunthalaivar M. C. Rajah, Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and Manusmriti.

* Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar, writings and speeches, English Volume 17, Part-III (70) Page-236 / Tamil Volume 37, Page-297.

Ambedkar, M. C. Rajah and Manusmriti