Agra city has been a staunch center of Ambedkarite Movement from good old days. Dr. Ambedkar paid a last visit of his life to Agra city on 18th March 1956. During this visit, he addressed a huge public meeting, in which he said, ‘Educated People have Deceived Me’. inspired and motivated by the sense of responsibility, by taking a message in general and educated class in particular. BAMCEF has decided to launch a “Dr. Ambedkar Centenary Abhiyan” in this year of birth centenary. Under this program a chain of symposia will be conducted on the topic connected with this statement. The nation wide program will commence on 18th March 1990 from Agra itself, where Dr. Ambedkar, made this statement. We are publishing here the English translation of that historical speech of Dr. Ambedkar. The original Hindi text of the speech was made available to us by Mr. Daya Shankar of Agra.
TO MASSES
“For the past 30 years, I’m struggling to secure political rights for you people. I have got for you reserved seats in parliament and in state assemblies. I have got for you proper provision for education of you children. Today, we can progress. It is now your duty to continue the struggle unitedly for removal of educational, economic and social inequality. For this purpose, you will have to be prepared for all sorts of sacrifices and even to shed your blood”.
TO LEADERS
“If someone invites you in his place, you may go willingly. But you must not go there by putting your own hut on fire. If that king quarrels with you some day and drive you out of his place, where will you go? If you want to sell out yourselves you may do so nut not at the cost of destroying your organization. I do not have any dangers from others, but I feel danger from our own people.”
TO LANDLESS LABORERS
“I’m more worried for the landless laborers of the villages. I could not do much for them. I cannot bear their sufferings and plights. The main reasons for their sufferings is that they do not have land. Therefore they are victims of Humiliations and struggle for it. If government puts any hurdle in it I will lead these people and will also give a legal battle for them, but I shall try to secure land for the landless”
TO HIS FOLLOWERS
Very soon, I will embrace the religion of lord Buddha. It is a progressive religion. It is based on equality, liberty and fraternity. I could search this religion through efforts of many years. Now I will become Buddhist very soon. Then as an untouchable I will not be able to live with you. But as a real Buddhist I will continue to struggle for your welfare. I will not tell you to become Buddhist with me. I do not want Bund Flowers. Only those who desire to take refuge in this great religion may embrace Buddhism, so that they remain in this religion with firm convictions and observer its code of conduct.
TO BUDDHIST MONK
“Buddhism is a great religion. The founder of this religion Tathagat Buddha has propagated this religion and due to its good aspects it could reach every nook and corner of India. After its great fame, this religion become extinct in 1213 AD. There are many reasons for this. One of the reason is also that the Buddhist Monks became addicted to living luxurious and restful life. Instead of moving, they started taking rest in Vihars and indulging in writing books in praise. Now for re-establishing this religion, they will have to work hard. They will have t move door to door. We have very few monks in the society. Therefore, the common good people should also propagate the religion and perform its rights.”
TO GOVT. EMPLOYEES
“There is some progress in education in our society. By acquiring education some people have reached to the higher positions. But these educated people have deceived me. i was hoping from them that after acquiring high education they would serve the society. But what I am seeing is that a crowd of small and big clerks has gather around, who is busy in filling their belly. Those who are employed in government services. It is their duty that they should contribute willingly 20th part of their salary to the cause. Then only one family will improve. The boy who is educating in a village the entire society has expectation from him. One educated social worker can prove a boon for them.”
TO STUDENTS AND YOUTHS
My appeal to the students is that after acquiring education, instead of doing some clerical job, he should serve his village or locality people, by which, exploitation and injustice arising out of ignorance can be stopped. your emancipation lies in the emancipation of the society.Today my position is like a big pole. Supporting a hung tent. I am worried about when this pole will not be there. I am not keeping good health. I do not know, when I will go away from you. i am not finding any young man, who will protect the interest of these crores of helpless and hopeless people. When I think that tough I am so highly educated, a Brahmin who is cleaning utensils in kitchen considers me untouchable, what will happen to the crores of my brethren? I feel that if some young men come forward, I will happily go away.In the last, I would like o tell you “Educate yourself, then Organise and be optimistic and then struggle for your rights. Only in this lies your emancipation and welfare.”
Wonderful suggestions by great eminent scholar Dr Ambedkar
He was the REAL GOD for indian women . He was great thinker, great leader and social reformer of our country.