Babasaheb Ambedkar, Shahu Maharaj shared bond: Pune researcher
Published: Sunday, Apr 24, 2011, 14:35 IST
By Mohsin Mulla | Place: Kolhapur | Agency: DNA
Unpublished correspondence showing mutual respect and affection
between the great Dalit leader, Babasaheb Ambedkar and the benevolent
king-reformer of Kolhapur, Chhatrapati Shahu Maharaj has come to light
here.
Discovered by a writer-researcher, Indrajeet Sawant, in the Kolhapur
archive, the correspondence consists of a four-page letter by Ambedkar
to Shahu and the princely ruler's reply.
The letters throw interesting light on the growing bond between the
two champions of social justice in pre-Independence India.
The correspondence relates to the Akhil Bharatiya Bahishkrut Samaj
Parishad national conference of Dalits organised by Ambedkar at Nagpur
on May 30, 1920, for which Shahu had accepted the invitation as chief
guest. However, there was uncertainty about his attendance due to his
daughter Akkatai's illness. Ambedkar, in his letter, made a passionate
plea to Shahu urging him to attend the conference.
Sawant told DNA, "Ambedkar's letter of four pages could be his longest
to Shahu. The letter shows how Ambedkar deeply valued Shahu's support
to the Dalit movement that he was leading and the warmth with which
Shahu treated Ambedkar."
In his letter dated May 11, 1920, Ambedkar wrote to Shahu in Marathi,
saying, "It would seem rude to persuade you to attend the conference
when there is illness at your home.
not your children like Akkasaheb? Do we have any other mentor? I pray
to you to accept the chairmanship of the conference for uplifting your
beloved untouchable child."
Ambedkar said that Shahu's absence would "ruin everything" and that
his support and presence for the Dalit movement was
critical.
Shahu's letter to Ambedkar is dated May 13, 1920 in which he said,
"Although my daughter is ill, I have taken up your work. I will set
aside any difficulty and will come." Shahu displayed his deep respect
for Ambedkar and commitment to the cause of Dalit upliftment.
Unpublished letters shows deep bond between Ambedkar, Shahu
But what can we do? Are we not your children like Akkasaheb? Do we
have any other mentor? I pray to you to accept the chairmanship of the
conference for uplifting your beloved untouchable child."
Ambedkar said that Shahu's absence would "ruin everything" and that
his support and presence for the Dalit movement was critical.
Shahu's letter to Ambedkar is dated May 13, 1920 in which he said,
"Although my daughter is ill, I have taken up your work. I will set
aside any difficulty and will come." Shahu displayed his deep respect
for Ambedkar and commitment to the cause of Dalit upliftment.
------------------------------------
----
INFORMATION OVERLOAD?
Get all ZESTCaste mails sent out in a span of 24 hours in a single mail. Subscribe to the daily digest version by sending a blank mail to ZESTMedia-digest@yahoogroups.com, OR, if you have a Yahoo! Id, change your settings at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/join/
PARTICIPATE:-
On this list you can share caste news, discuss caste issues and network with like-minded anti-caste people from across India and the world. Just write to zestcaste@yahoogroups.com
TELL FRIENDS TO SIGN UP:-
If you got this mail as a forward, subscribe to ZESTCaste by sending a blank mail to ZESTCaste-subscribe@yahoogroups.com OR, if you have a Yahoo! ID, by visiting http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join/
Also have a look at our sister list, ZESTMedia: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTMedia/Yahoo! Groups Links
<*> To visit your group on the web, go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/
<*> Your email settings:
Individual Email | Traditional
<*> To change settings online go to:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ZESTCaste/join
(Yahoo! ID required)
<*> To change settings via email:
ZESTCaste-digest@yahoogroups.com
ZESTCaste-fullfeatured@yahoogroups.com
<*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:
ZESTCaste-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
<*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to:
http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
No comments:
Post a Comment