Thread by @ApurvKurudgikar

Thread,
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar's massage to OBC's.
Dr. Ambedkar said, "This principle will apply not only to Marathas but all Backward Castes. If they do not wish to be under the thumb of others they should concentrate on two things, one is politics and the other is education.”

“One thing I like to impress on you is that the community can live in peace only when it has enough moral but indirect pressure over the rulers. Even if a community is numerically weak, it can keep its pressure over the rulers and create its dominance as is seen by the example of

the status of present day Brahmins in India. It is essential that such a pressure is maintained, as, without it, the aims and policies of the state can not have proper direction, on which depends the development and progress of the state.”
“At the same time, it must not be

forgotten that education is also important. Not only elementary education but higher education is essential to keep ahead in the competition of communities in their progress.”
“Higher education, in my opinion, means that education, which can enable you to occupy the strategically

important places in State administration. Brahmins had to face a lot of opposition and obstacles, but they are overcoming these and progressing ahead.”
“I can not forget, rather I am sad, that many people do not realize that the Caste system is existing in India for centuries

because of inequality and a wide gulf of difference in education, and they have forgotten that it is likely to continue for some centuries to come. This gulf between the education of Brahmins and non-Brahmins will not end just by primary and secondary education. The difference in

status between these can only be reduced by higher education. Some non-Brahmins must get highly educated and occupy the strategically important places, which has remained the monopoly of Brahmins since long. I think this is the duty of the State. If the Govt. can not do it,

institutions like “Maratha Mandir” must undertake this task.”
“I must emphasize one point here that middle class tries to compare itself with the highly educated and well placed and well to do community, whereas lower class all over the world has the same fault.
The middle class

is not as liberal as upper one and has no ideology as the lower one, which makes it an enemy of both the classes. The middle-class Marathas of Maharashtra also have this fault. They have only two ways out, either to join hands with upper classes and prevent the lower classes

from progress, and the other is to join hands with lower classes and both together destroy the upper-class power coming against the progress of both. There was a time, they used to be with lower classes, now they seem to be with the upper class. It is for them to decide which way

to go. The future of not only Indian masses but also their own future depends on what decision the Maratha leaders take. As a matter of fact, it all should be left to the skill and wisdom of the leaders of Marathas. But there seems to be a lack of such wise leadership among

the Marathas.”

What he said about Marathas, equally applies to all OBCs, and still holds true after half a century. Dr. Ambedkar wrote much to educate the OBCs. It is only now that OBCs are awakening

gradually. It must not be forgotten that the future of this country depends on them.

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