Mahad Satyagraha
March 20 is being observed as
Social Empowerment Day to commorate Mahad Satyagrah undertaken by Dr. Baba
Sahib Ambedkar in Kolaba District in Maharashtra 76 years ago. The Satyagrah
was launched to end untouchability and press for implementation of the order by
Mahad Municipality allowing the ‘untouchables’ to collect water from Chavdar
Tank. The Municipality has passed order since 1924 to this effect but it could
not be implemented.The Bombay Council had on the proposal of veteran social reformer
of Maharashtra Shri S K Bhole passed a resolution on August 4, 1923. The
resolution ordered all government departments and local boards to allow the
‘Untouchables’ access to public places as they were not allowed to collect
water from public tanks nor allowed any facility in school and dharamshals. The
resolution of the Bombay Council was not implemented by Municipal Boards. Dr.
Ambedkar decided to launch Satyagrah to get the rights to the deprived
sections. He launched Water Satyagrah in Mahad and Dharm Satyagrah in Nasik for
this purpose. Dr. Ambedkar set up Mahad Satyagrah Samiti and launched a new
Satyagrah in December 1927. On reaching Mahad he was told that a case has been
filed in a court as Chavdar Lake happened to be the private property. He
postponed the Satyagrah in order not to break the law.
Dr. Ambedkar filed a writ in the
Court seeking water rights for the Dalits in Chavdar Tank. Bombay High Court
gave a verdict in favour of Dalits in 1936.
