Antyaja Ashram and Mahatma Gandhi

[Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav]

Prof. Dr. Yogendra Yadav

Senior Gandhian Scholar, Professor, Editor and Linguist

Gandhi International Study and Research Institute, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India

Contact No. – 09404955338, 09415777229

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Antyaja Ashram and Mahatma Gandhi

 

 

You have heard a number of dialogues and bhajans. Who would say that these dialogues were by Antyaja children or that it was they who sang the bhajans in devotion to God? Who would have expected this outcome of the conference? While discussing the resolution about the outcastes, I had suggested that all people should visit their colony. I had taken it that delegates of the conference belonged to Godhra. But I had forgotten that most of them who had come were not the residents of Godhra. However, most of them were from Gujarat. We opened an Antyaja school out of the money we collected at that time. The people of Godhra did not welcome it. What is more, they showed their dislike of it. Antyaja brothers also reciprocated these sentiments. It was difficult to get Antyaja boys for the Antyaja School. There was a time when I was seriously inclined to consider closing down the school. But then we put it off. Mama belongs to Maharashtra but he knows Gujarati. I had seen in the Ashram that he loves working among the Antyajas. I advised him to plant himself firmly in Godhra. Subsequently I went to jail and Vallabhbhai took upon himself the heavy burden of administration. It was then that the house was built.

I do not like it. It is not that it is incomplete but it does us no credit. It does not want in elegance but it should be such as to do us credit. Mama is not an architect but his heart is filled with love and piety. He was drawn by his love towards Antyajas and spent Rs. 20,000. Vallabhbhai could not collect that amount. But fortunately Parsi Rustomjee had given money for work of this kind. Some of it was appropriated for the house which has been built. But that ought to be suitable for us, the Antyaja, the poor. We are all poor people and the Antyajas are poorer still. They are a flock without a pastor in forsaking them Hindus have sinned. You should all take up the attitude that an impressive house has been built but you would not grudge it [to them]. If it were the hostel for Vanik students you might do that. I agree that there should be no structure which does not reflect the state of the Indian people. There are more elegant buildings used for the children of other communities. But the thought should never enter your mind that the Antyajas have no right to such buildings, even though we may try to convert them also. Here I am merely debating the issue. But it would be a good thing if some wealthy man of Godhra took it over. We should then go to another place more suitable for the poor. But in the meantime Mama should put up with it. Today I had been to three places in the Antyaja colony. There it was animals that I saw, not human beings. Talking to them one finds them different from us, but they also recognize love.

If we are not responsible for their pitiful condition, who else is? To me the cause of swaraj is small besides that of serving these people. It was not because I thought it would hasten swaraj that I started working for these people. There was no talk of swaraj then; thirty years ago, when I was in South Africa, I had expressed my views on service to the Antyajas. Today we are not conserving the Hindu dharma, but destroying it. I wish that you should take up this service in order to save it from destruction. You, who have come here, had better realize that you are not polluted but have been sanctified. I say without hesitation that those places where there is Antyaja service, where there is an Antyaja school or an Antyaja ashram, that is a place of pilgrimage, because holy places are those where we wash off our sins and make ready to swim to the other shore. Why is one’s parent’s holiness incarnate? Why is one’s guru’s holiness incarnate? If we serve people with all our heart, we become purified. Do not imagine that you have been polluted and that you should bathe.

If you had not known that those who treated you to the dialogues were Antyaja boys, would you have believed it? If we exert ourselves to the utmost over these children, they may surpass us. Don’t suppose that the children of Bhangis can’t have good thoughts. Let me tell you from experience that they will have them, if we also help. I appeal to you that those of you who have come here should not consider this as their last visit. You should come here from time to time to serve. The existence of this association for serving Antyajas is due to Indulal. He has done solid service. He was thinking about it even while in jail. We should forgive him if in a flush of enthusiasm he has done something which we may not like. His exile over, Amritlal has come here. Now he has become the high priest of Dheds, Bhangis and Bhils. When Indulal was considering leaving the Antyaja Seva Mandal, I thought of entrusting it to the Vidyapith. Amritlal said, we should not let it go. He took the burden upon himself. But how much burden can a single person carry? You should also help him. There is a great deal of work for the Antyaja Seva Mandal to do. The Antyaja map of Gujarat is being drawn. I do not know that Godhra has contributed a single paisa. If the Lord indeed dwells within you, then send the money to Amritlal or Mama. And let your mind go with the money. 1

Your duty is twofold. It is your duty as Antyajas to serve others. You are all boys and generally it is believed that boys do not act on their own responsibility. They are led by their teachers or those in charge of the institution. But this rule does not apply to you. Although you are boys, you are also grown-ups. There is a girl named Lakshmi accompanying me. I would tell her that a great responsibility lies on her, that other Antyajas would be judged through her. You have to show to the world, which at present holds down the Antyajas, that there is no difference between them and others. There are good and bad people among both. Hindu society does not understand even this simple thing. This Ashram is a means of educating it so that it may understand that. If it succeeds, the problem of untouchability may be solved to some extent. What is children’s duty? You should not eat forbidden articles. Banish from your mind the very thought of doing so. A person who is accustomed to eat unwholesome things will not like to eat good things, if offered. It is your duty to remain scrupulously clean. You should brush your teeth properly. They should be as white as milk. Eyes and nose should also be kept clean. On rising from bed, you should start repeating Rama’s name. The air where we live should be kept pure. You should maintain internal purity and always speak the truth. 2

 

References:

 

1. Mahadevbhaini Diary, Vol. VII, pp. 12-4
2. Mahadevbhaini Diary, VII, pp. 360-61