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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.
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"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".
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"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."
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"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"
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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.
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"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."
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"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."
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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."
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