DR. B R AMBEDKAR S RELATION WITH NORTH KARNATAKA MR. MAGAR S V* DR. KALLOLIKAR S K** *Research Scholar, Dept. of History & Archaeology, Karnataka University Dharwad, Karnataka, India ** Professor, Dept. of History & Archaeology, Karnataka University Dharwad, Karnataka, India ABSTRACT This paper explores the contact and relations of Dr.Ambedkar with the north Karnataka, in order to find evidences of social movements inspired by him. Several vernacular reviews of literature has been done in this connection. Mouth to mouth conversation by the forth fathers, and personal interviews of some personality, who were part of movements are the major source of this study. Paper lightens on the implications of the social movements and relation of Dr.Ambedkar in this region. We found that, Dr.Ambedkar visit helped Dalits to aware about their rights, started to enrol their children s to school, tried to come out from superstitions and false beliefs. Many other implications have been discussed with this study. This is very primitive effort to know Dr.Ambedkar visit to North Karnataka. KEYWORDS: Dr. B R Ambedkar, North Karnataka, Relation, Implications. INTRODUCTION Dr. Bhimarao Ramji Ambedkar, also known as a Babasaheb, was an Indian jurist, political thinker, Dalit Leader, Philosopher, anthropologist, historian, orator, prolific writer, economist, women emancipator, an eminent and erudite scholar and chief architect of Indian constitution. He visited North Karnataka several times; every visit of him gave great inspiration of change and development to the marginalised groups, weaker sections, and downtrodden communities. He motive people to overcome numerous social and financial obstacles and to get educate and aware about their rights. Ambedkar was icon of awareness of the oppressed and depressed classes, he was unquestionably the first leader of emerging India. He was mouth piece of entire Dalits, until his last breath he did consistent effort for the welfare of downtrodden communities of India, where the welfare of new India was lying. METHODOLOGY Objectives 1. To know about Dr Ambedkars Visit to North Karnataka 2. To explore the implications of Dr Ambedkars Visit to North Karnataka 271
Research Design The study was conducted by secondary sources of existing literature through descriptive, historical, analytic approaches and explorative research design. Descriptive method was taken in to the consideration to examine deeply, literature relevant to the study and historical, analytic methods were used to study the reviews and other unpublished work on Dr. B R Ambedkar. Explorative design help to Visit and discussion with the various places and personalities of North Karnataka who were connected with the Dr.Ambedkar visit to North Karnataka. To select adequate literature for the paper, 3 methods were followed i.e. A. SYSTEMATIC search of academic literature on Dr. B R Ambedkar and his works B. Random search of research articles on Dr. B R Ambedkar and his movements C. Visit and discussion with the various places and personalities of North Karnataka who were connected with the Dr.Ambedkar visit to North Karnataka. RELATION WITH NORTH KARNATAKA Vijayapur Court Matter: Dr. Ambedkar s visit to the Vijayapur (formerly known as Bijapur) is a historical event. Prime intention to visit was to attend court matter of Mr. Somanagouda of Bilagi, who was charged with the criminal case of killing innocent people. Basically caser was looking after by Mr. Andanappa Angadi Local lawyer of Mr. Somanagouda, but case was very tough to handle as majority of evidences were against the client of Mr Andanappa Angadi. In fact Mr. Somanagouda was innocent; he was trapped in case by his opponent s of village. Mr Andanappa Angadi convinced Dr. Ambedkar to look after case, as Andanappa was close to him. First time in history, Dr. Ambedkar Visits to begin on 30 th May 1937, 10am. He came all the way from Mumbai by train. Thousands of followers evident of his arrival to Vijayapur, Mr. Somanagouda, Mr Andanappa Angadi, and Mr. Goura Guruji garland Dr. Ambedkar and he was guarded up to Inspection Bungalow (IB) and court by thousands of followers. Barrister Dr.Ambedkar begins with his true and scientific argument in favour of his client. 90 minutes of his argument changes the scene of court and future of his client, Mr.Somanagouda release by court declaring as an innocent. 272
SOCIAL REFORM MOVEMENTS Vijayapur District Harizan Parishad: After court matters first meeting with the Dr.Ambedkar was scheduled with the Mr. Andanappa Angadi Mr. Revappa Kale connected with the set up agenda of District Harizan Parishad which was schedule on 31 May 1937 at Vijayapur. Mr. B H Mali, Mr. Aidale (MLC) Revappa Kale and Goura Guruji took initiation in organising the programme. Propaganda related with the Parishad done with the all the towns and villages of Vijayapur district as well as some parts of Belagavi and Sollapur Districts. Banners with the Dr. Ambedkar s photo motivate public a lot to attend the programme. The charming personality of Dr. B R Ambedkar created magic among the all the followers. Thousands of people were attended the programme; speech was in Marathi and it was translated in the Kannada by Mr. Parale, main features of his speech was; 1. Issues of downtrodden community 2. History of practice of untouchability 3. Inhuman practice of Hindu religion 4. His fight against Dalit discrimination 5. Need of Socio-political fight for the betterments of downtrodden community 6. Effects of Pune fact etc... Two hours constituent speech (5pm to 7pm) was comprising full of awareness regarding the rights of Dalits, Motivation to stop practice of Devadasi and related superstitious; guidance to lead dignified life with education self hygiene and organisation. Function brought considerable changes in the mindset of gathering, provoked them to fight against the social ills and practice of untouchability. Dalits started enrol their children s to schools. He becomes ray of hope of Dalits. Only one visit of him brought great change and development in the region, today also this area known for qualified Dalits with the influence of Dr.Ambedkar visit. Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha in Nippani-1924 Dr Ambedkar establish organisation by name Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha on 21 July1924, through the organisation he encourage social reform movements for the benefits of Dalits and set up following objectives. 1. To educate Organise and Fight(????) for the betterment of Dalit community 2. To establish special hostels for Dalit students. 273
3. To start special library, Community centre, Study centre to inculcate sophisticated culture. 4. To start job oriented agriculture based schools 5. To respond and react issues of Dalits To aware and implement his thought s Dr.Ambedkar organised many awareness programmes in Maharashtra state, such a way he organised many programmes in North Karnataka region. On 10-11 April 1925 Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha was organised at Nippani, Dr.Ambedkar was the president for the programme, in his presidential remarks he pointed out that we all have integrate our power and tools of organisation for the social welfare movements of downtrodden community. He focussed on importance of education and need for hostels. during his visit he inaugurate library and distributes books and uniform to the students. Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha in Belagavi-1925 The third conference of Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha held on 11-12 November 1925 at Belagavi. Programme was headed by Dr.Ambedkar addressing the gathering expressed following points: 1. How Hindus and their religious practices degrade the status and dignity of down throw down community? 2. No Hindus, no Prayer, no any God or Goddess, no Maale (Religious sacred necklace), no Bhandar (Religious sacred yellow powder which use to apply on forehead by devotees) no Kumkum (Religious sacred red powder which use to apply on forehead by devotees), help remove untouchability. 3. No any visit of pilgrims like Savadatti, Pandarapur and Khandobha, helped you to eradiated poverty, illiteracy, and untouchability. 4. Almighty of Hindus takes new shape and birth at right time to kill Rakshasas (social evils). If it is true, why the same almighty did not kill social ills and evils of Dalits.? 5. The concept of God or Goddess is purely myth. They all creation of Brahmins and this community mind washing society in the name of God. Priesthood is the tool of control society from thousands of years. 6. The concept of God and social stratification thrown the Dalits in darkness and made them deface in society. 7. If, practices like Devadasi, Murali, and half necked praise of Goddess Renukamba are really worth of betterment?, why these practices not helping Dalits for socio- 274
economic betterment? And why such practices not adopted by the upper cast of society? Illiteracy, poor social awareness and practice of superstations helped Brahmins overruled Dalit community so Dr.Ambedkar appealed to the people to come out from mental slavery in Belagavi meet. 5 th Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha in Gavanal - 1927 5 th Bahiskrat Hitakarini Sabha organised in Gavanal village of Hukkeri block, Belagavi district on 15 May 1927. Dr Ambedkar was headed the meeting. So far many developments found by the efforts of Bahiskrat Hitakarini Parishad in Maharashtra and Karnataka. In this meeting 8 resolutions were passed. The meeting put pressure on govt to enact the law which prevent on Dalits to enter temple, Public Gardens, other public places and use of public Wales, lakes, hotels, mess s and saloon shops. 1 st Samajik Parishad Sabha - 1929 First Samajik Parishad Sabha held at Belagavi on 23 March 1929. Mr Shivatarakar was the president of the meeting, Dr. Ambedkar also address the audience and said that Dalits organising many meetings and seminars, elite group is asking deliver special lecture on Dalit issues, but my doubt is that; does such special lecture help to irradiate untouchability, social injustice and atrocities against Dalits? instead of such lectures we should put pressure on govt to enact the law which prevent and punish for social prohibition on Dalits to enter temple, Public Gardens, other public places and use of public Wales, lakes, hotels, mess s and saloon shops. He says that only laws rules can bring change in the life Dalits, he also point out that, proper implementation of laws is very important part, so we have to show courage to implement them as most of time upper class try to misuse or don t allow to implement the laws properly. The law is waste which is not implemented properly. He says, The scholars, Masters, Thinkers, and Complete man who belongs to Dalit community have no any respect in this discriminated society, therefore we have to struggle a lot everyday to come up socially. Our vision should be concentrate on social and political rights, to eradicate injustice. He also adds that we have to have political power, and that is the only master key removes inhuman practice, untouchability, social stratification and chaturvarna system. 275
IMPLICATIONS Major implications of Dr.Ambedkar visit to North Karnataka 1. Dalit s got awareness about their rights 2. People started to enrol their children s to school 3. Dalit community came out the impression of subordinate mind set and inferiority complex. 4. Devadasi system started to lose its entity. 5. Impression of practice of baseless religious views reduced 6. Community slowly started come away from superstitions. 7. Community started to organise for rights of their members. 8. Literacy rate increased, and got jib awareness in public sector. 9. People develop self dignity and and confidence. 10. Community given more concentration on quality of life. Etc CONCLUSION Ambedkar visit to northern part of Karnataka resulted in to numerous developments in the life of dalits. His vision and mission like, demand for separate electorate, removal of untouchability, Devadasi System, ill practices, and concentration on education, organising dalits, importance to the health hygiene and sanitation got greater accerlation. He stated that higher the education and economic status are the basic tool to come forward and political power is ultimate for the welfare of minorities and Dalits. People from north Karnataka, felt blessed during his visits to various part of it, and same tradition been continued of blessings of him, as many dalits now, highly qualified and acquired good position in society, politics and in public services. REFERENCES 1. Dr. Ramesh Kamble. & Mr.Dhavaleshwar C U. (2014) Ambedkar s Views on Indo-Pak Partition and Social Concern. International Journal Of Research In Commerce, Economics & Management, Vol 4 (2014)Issue 1, (January) 2. Keer Dhananjay - Dr.Ambedkar Life and Mission 3. SANKRAMAN- A Monthly in Kannada, April-May 1993. Vol- XXVIII, No 4-5 Sankraman Prakashan Dharwad. 4. Vasant Rajasa Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Chaluvali, Vikasan Varasa (Marathi), Belagavi. (unpublished Work) 276