Let us salute those who organised
Manusmiriti Dehan, burnt Munusmiriti and witnessed this scene on its 92nd
anniversary.
Ninety two years ago today, that is, on December 25, 1927, Babasaheb Ambedkar burned Manusmriti as a symbol of rejection of the religious basis of untouchability.
Why it was thought to burn Manusmiriti
Manusmititi is a Hindu
Law book which denies/denied all human
rights to untouchable( Now called Scs, STs, OBCs) and all women irrespective of her caste
affiliations. The event was arranged during the Mahad Satyagraha. Mahad Satyagraha was perhaps first
fight world wide to exert right to take water from public
water bodies by human who were classified as Hindus Shudras. It was also
a fight of Untouchable to declare that they they will fightto gain humanity and
dignity which was denied to them till then. For Babasaheb committed advocate for untouchable and women’s rights and
emancipation — it was a political action to burn Manusmriti
in full public view as Baba Sahib was convinced that the book entailed the rules preaching
inhumane treatment not only towards women but also “Untouchables”, in all walks
of life both in private or public spheres.
It was clear revolt against Brahinism by their religious brothers untouchables.
The actual burning of Manusmiriti on 27th
Decemember 1927 was joined among others by Saraswati Brahmin Gagadhar Neelkanth
Sahasrabuddhe affectionately called as “Bapu” by his Ambedkarite admirers. He
was a committed volunteer of the Samaj Samata Sangha founded by Dr.
B.R.Ambedkar. He also served in the Social Service League as its chief. When
Manusmriti was publicly burnt on 25th December 1927, at Mahad, Mr.
Sahasrabuddhe alias Bapu Ji played very dedicated role along with many trusted
lieutenants of Baba Saheb. R.K Kshirsagar in his book “Dalit Movement in India
and its Leaders” writes that Gagadhar Neelkanth Sahasrabuddhe alias Bapu saheb
was a Brahmin by caste, social worker and actually he burnt the Manusmiriti in
full public view at Mahad where besides many others P.N. Rajbhoj, B.K.
Giakward, Mr. Sitaram Shivtarkar and Dr. Ambedkar were present with their
thousands of followers. Bapu Saheb Sahasrabuddhe was the Secretary of the
Municipal Kamgar Sangha (Worker’s Union) led by Dr. Ambedkar. He served as the
editor of the Janata till 1955. This fortnightly paper later weekly was
initially started by Dr. Ambedkar on 24th November 1930 as a special tool to
support and publicize policies and programs of Depressed Classes Movement. The
weekly was later renamed as Prabhuddha Bharta on Dr Ambedkar’s directions on
4th February 1956. Another site (www.ambedkar.org) article “Manusmiriti Dahan
Din” by Dr. K. Jamanadas has mentioned that a "vedi" was created
beforehand to burn Manusmriti. Six people were labouring for two days to
prepare it.
How the act was performed:
A pit six inches deep and one and half foot
square was dug in, and filled with sandle wood pieces. On its four corners,
poles were erected, bearing banners on three sides. Three sides Banners said,
1. "Manusmriti chi dahan bhumi",
i.e. Crematorium for Manusmriti.
2. Destroy Untouchability and
3. Bury the Brahmanism.
On 25th December, 1927, at 9 p.m., the book
of Manusmriti was kept on this and burned at the hands of BapuSaheb
Sahastrabuddhe and another five six Dalit sadhus. At the meeting there was BabaSaheb's historical speech.
The
main points of speech: We have to understand why we are prevented from drinking
water from this tank. He explained Chaturvarna, and declared that our struggle
is to destroy the fetters of Chaturvarna; this was the starting point of the
struggle for equality. He compared that meeting with the meeting of 24th Jan.
1789, when Loui XVI of France had called a meeting of French people’s
representatives. This meeting killed king and queen, harassed and massacred the
upper classes, remaining were banished, property of the rich was confiscated,
and it started a fifteen year long civil war. People have not grasped the
importance of this Revolution. This Revolution was the beginning of the
prosperity of not only France but whole of Europe and has revolutionized the
whole World. He explained French Revolution in detail. He then explained that
our aim is not only to remove untouchabilty but to destroy chaturvarna, as the
root cause lies there. He explained how Patricians deceived Plebeians in the
name of religion. The root of untouchabilty lies in prohibition of inter-caste
marriages, that we have to break, he thundered. He appealed to higher varnas to
let this "Social Revolution" take place peacefully, discard the
sastras, and accept the principle of justice, and he assured them peace from
our side. After the Manusmriti was burned four resolutions were passed and a
Declaration of Equality was pronounced. He further declared, that if unfortunately,
this burning of Manusmriti does not result in destruction of
"Brahmanya", we will have to either burn the
"Brahmanya-grast" people (i.e. affected by Brahmanism), or renounce
Hinduism.
Let each Dalit on this historic day, the 25th December
have self introspection whether he/she has adhered to the advice of their emancipator,
if not why not. They must evaluate the
loss they have suffered for not following ideals of their liberator.They must
think of correction in their actions so far ignored. Their emancipator Baba
Sahib Dr. Ambedkar lost his kids, wife his life comforts for welfare of his people.
He died under debit. They need to mend their ways for the good future of their
generations. Let the Dalits know that till Baba’s written Constitution is alive
they are alive. They should save it as their first religious act
