When Dr. B.R. Ambedkar requested Periyar E.V.Ramasamy to meet him in Chennai (earlier Madras) in order to discuss certain vital issues, Periyar arrived in Chennai on the exact day of appointment. Ambedkar punctually reached Periyar’s place at 12 noon and had a lively chat for an hour. The gist of their talk during this historic meet is as follows:
Ambedkar lauded all the resolutions adopted and passed at the Salem conference and subsequent implementation by unanimous consent. Ambedkar said that parties aimed at posts, positions and prosperity would never thrive. He praised Periyar for overshadowing all such self centered parties and revitalising the movement.
According to Ambedkar, the Justice Party failed to earn the trust of the common public and intellectuals because it had no specific goals and plans for the welfare of non-brahmins. The party was not clear about the reformations needed. It was not sure of the evils to be eradicated and abolished. The party could not make people distinguish between brahminist parties and a non-brahminist party. It could not reach the common man since it had no determined target. But the resolutions of Salem conference would make people realise its ideology and principles. The Justice Party faced a defeat in 1937 but it would not happen again.
People mistook Justice Party as a party craving for political gains, longing for coveted posts and positions. The Salem conference has proved that it is merely a misconception.
Related articles
Ambedkar said to Periyar that the Justice Party would reign supreme in future, and emerge glorious on a national level. He asked Periyar to ignore the cadres who were not in favour of the Salem conference resolutions. They could quit the party if they could not get along with its policies. Ambedkar asked Periyar to brush aside all criticism and go ahead with his plans. Mobilising the support of the downtrodden common public, and getting the support of people abroad are the needs of the hour. Hence, Periyar should keep on urging the Government to implement useful schemes for public welfare. Ambedkar assured extending his co-operation to Periyar and added that he would frankly suggest to all others in the party, to strengthen the hands of Periyar.
Ambedkar said that the time was quite conducive to move ahead and get all the resolutions accomplished in action. He said that he would travel all over the country and mobilise support for the Justice Party and that he would motivate all his friends and well wishers to extend patronage. Periyar was greatly impressed by the encouraging talk of Ambedkar.
Before leaving, Ambedkar admitted that he was wrong in considering Dravidastan on a par with Pakistan, since both are different in basic ideology. Pakistan suits the Muslim majority alone, whereas Dravidastan (the Dravidian land) suits the entire India. Ambedkar commented that brahminism has taken deep roots all over India and hence it is to be crushed by collective efforts. He urged Periyar to include the people of Maharashtra too in Dravidastan. He suggested to Periyar to include even people of other regions and states in Dravidastan.
Courtesy: ‘Kudi Arasu’
– dated 30th September 1944
