(The following is the coverage of the First Madras Presidential Self-Respect Conference held at Chinglepet published in “Bahishkrit Bharat’, Marathi magazine (1st March 1929) edited by Babasaheb Dr.B.R.Ambedkar)
The First Conference of the Self-Respect Movement commenced on 17th February, 1929 at Chengalpet in Madras Presidency.
Madras Presidency Assembly member M. Krishnan Nair, Chief Minister Dr.Subbarayan, Public Health and Welfare Minister Muthiah Mudaliar, Sir. P.T. Rajan and Comrade Ramasamy Naicker had assembled all together at the venue.
Sir P.T. Rajan hoisted the flag of the Self-Respect Movement.
Dr. Subbarayan started the conference and said – “Self-Respect cannot be acquired in political field unless people in society have the spirit of self-respect, inherent in them. Caste based discriminations have taken deep roots in society. Hence, forming a united society appropriate to democracy would never ever be possible.”
This Self-Respect movement aims at societal equality at all levels. Self-Respect is not arrogance. Nor does it belittle others and degrade them. Self-Respect is a noble thought. It implies that we are all humans. We too have human rights. None has the right to seize them. Everyone should have absolute opportunity to measure up themselves and advance in life. To realise this dire need itself is Self-Respect. A true self-respective would also be the one who protects the Self-respect of others. That is because he is quite well aware of the value of Self-Respect.
Self-Respect has been annihilated in the Hindu society. Hence there is a widespread belief that one caste is inferior to another caste and that one individual is inferior to another individual. These misconceptions are to be uprooted. True light is to be flashed all over the Hindu society. Movements like the Self-Respect Movement, Samaj Samta Sangh and Jath Path Thodak Mandal are essential and indispensable to achieve that noble objective.
Source: The Writings and Speeches (Marathi) of Babasaheb Dr. B.R. Ambedkar; Volume 20 / Page.56
