01/03/2015
Dalit people started assembling at Nashik from the different parts of the region. On 2nd March 1930 about 15000 volunteers and representatives assembled at erected pandal in
depressed class locality in Nasik. Dr. Ambedkar came at Nasik on 2nd march 1930, some other leaders also came at Nasik to support the satyagrah. Sasrabuddhe, Devram Naik, and D. V. Patvardhan, Balasahb Kher & Swami Anand came to Nasik to support the satyagrah. On 2nd march 1930 Dr, Ambedkar held a meeting to all the Satyagrahi, and gave them some guidelines to be followed at the time of satyagrah. At afternoon the agitators divided in self into four extending itself over a mile long procession. it was the biggest procession in the history of nashik.The untouchables who were in military services at the time to contributed in this satyagrah,as they played band in military style,and they were leading the procession of agitators.Then followed a batch of scout, a striking feature of the satyagrah was the presence of about 500 women demonstrators who were trained in gymnastic. They were followed by thousand of agitators. They were walking with a full sense of discipline, order & determinations. As soon as the procession came up to the eastern gate of the temple, the district magistrate, and the police officers closed all the gates of temple. Next day dalit leaders discussed the issue and decided to launch a non violent struggle before the gates. The first batch of 125 men and 25 women was posted at the four gates of the temple and over 8000 enlisted Satyagrahi were awaiting their turn. In these four doors following leaders were leads, on north door – Patitpavandas,on south door – Rajbhoj,on east door –Kachru salve and on West door –Shankardas Nagarjundas.and Dr.Ambedkar and Bhaurao Gaikwad controlling all situations. On 1st April 1930 the doors of temple open for Ramnavmi. So untouchable’s start their
satyagrah, Bapusaheb Rajbhoj was arrested by the police with 10 Satyagrahi 2 women was
also arrested. On 7 April on the occasion of Ramnavmi Satyagrahi again entered in the temple. According to ‘Kesari’ news paper, a mahar girl slapped to raghunath ganesh, the priest of temple. In a literary sense this was a symbol of old frustration and anger of the dalits.
Reference:
1. Keer Dhananjay, Dr. Ambedkar life and mission. Page no 137
2. Markand Mehata , The Dalit Temple Movement in Maharashtra and Gujrat,1930 to1942 the other gujrat,edited by takshi shinoda page no 6.
3. Keer Dhananjay, Dr. Ambedkar life and mission. Page no 137
