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M.C. Rajah -a Precursor Of B.r.ambedkar, And Rajah- Moonje Pact –a Forerunner Of Poona Pact

Journal Name:

  • Indian Streams Research Journal

Publication Year:

  • 2013

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Abstract (Original Language): 
M.C.Rajah , a prominent Dalit leader of South India emerged even before the rise of B.R.Ambedkar as national leader. Certainly, he was a pioneer to B.R.Ambedkar in the socio-political renaissance movement of the Depressed Classes in the first half of the Twentieth Century. He was the architect of the Rajah-Moonji pact which once he thought that it would solve the woes of the Depressed Classes and they would attain social equality in par with caste Hindus in the passage of time. This fact favoured joint electorates for Depressed Classes. Like this Pact, Poona Pact, signed between Gandhi and Ambedkar also favoued joint electorates for Depressed Classes. Hence the Rajah-Moonje Pact was a precursor for the Poona Pact, the Magna Carta of Depressed Classes. M.C.Rajah who had been fervently criticizing Gandhi and Congress party throughout his political career suddenly became moderate towards them in the wake of Round Table Conferences. When Mahatma Gandhi christened the Depressed Class as 'Harijans', it was M.C.Rajah who directly quarreled against Gandhi, and refused to accept the term 'Harijan'. When Gandhi claimed that he was the only champion to safeguard the rights of Harijans, Both M.C.Rajah and B.R.Ambedkar were the front rank leaders of India who laid firm foundation for the elevation of Depressed Classes in India. They were the 'Messiahs of the lakhs and lakhs of the Depressed Class population'.
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REFERENCES

References: 

i.Kshirsagar, R.K., Dalit Movement in India and Its Leader,
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ii.Dhananjay Keer, Life and Mission of Dr.B.R.Ambedkar,
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vii.Thangavelu, G., M.C.Rajah, The Morning Star of Dalits'
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viii.Under Secretary Safe File No.804, Tamil Nadu State
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ix..Raj Sekhar Basu, op.cit., pp.290-291.
x. Ibid., p.196.
xi..Vasant Moon , (ed.), Writings and Speeches of
Babasaheeb Ambedkar, Vol. V. Bombay, 1982, p.352.
xii.Ravindra Kumar, 'Gandhi, Ambedkar and the Poona Pact,
1932' in Jim Masselos, (ed.), Struggling and Ruling; The
Indian National Congress, 1885-1985, New Delhi, 1987, p.5
xiii. Ibid., pp.37-38.
xiv.Adi-Dravida Mitran, February, 1935, pp-282-289.
xv.Nagoorkani, P., Struggle for Social Justice in Tamil Nadu,
1916-1939, Madurai, 2006, p.237.
xvi.Ibid., p.265; G.O.Nos.284-285, Legal Department, 8
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xvii.Thangavelu, G., op.cit., p.153.
xviii.Chandrashekar, S., op.cit., p,276.
xix. Kshirasagar, R.K., op.cit., p.304.
xx.Ayula Gopala Jeevaratnam, Political Implications of
Untouchability, Hyderabad, 1973, p.165.

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