JAMMU, 24 Sept 2024: Dalits have alleged that respective Central-State Governments never fully implemented Poona Pact of 1932. Members of Dalit, OBC, and Minority communities gathered under the statute of Dr. BR Ambedkar at Ambedkar Chowk, Jammu under the ages of DOM a Wing of All India Confederation of SC/ST/OBC Organisations J&K and alleged that all successive States and Central Governments cheated Dalits, OBC Minority for not implementing the Poona Pact Agreement in toto which refers to an agreement between Dr Ambedkar and Mahatma Gandhi signed on September 24, 1932, at Yerwada Central Jail in Pune.
It was signed by Pt Madan Mohan Malviya and Dr BR Ambedkar and some Dalit leaders to break the fast unto death undertaken by Gandhi in Yerwada Jail to annul Macdonald Award giving separate electorate to Dalits for electing members of State Legislative Assemblies and Reservation in all sector including job employment in British India.
To draft a new Constitution involving self-rule for the native Indians, the British invited leaders of different parties in the Round Table Conferences in 1930-32.
Mahatma Gandhi did not attend the first and last but attended the second of the Conferences. The concept of separate electorates for the untouchables was raised by Dr Ambedkar. Such provisions were already available for other minorities, including Muslims, Christians, Anglo-Indians, and Sikhs. The British Government agreed with Ambedkar’s contention, and British Prime Minister Ramsay MacDonald‘s Communal Award to the depressed classes was to be incorporated into the constitution in the governance of British India. Gandhiji strongly opposed the communal award on the grounds that it would disintegrate Hindu society. He began an indefinite hunger strike at Yerwada Central Jail on September 20, 1932 to protest against this Award. A compromise was reached on September 24, 1932.
RK Kalsotra, State president of Confederation said they were cheated by State and Centre Government including by the State of J&K. They failed to implement Poona Pact in toto. They didn’t give us equal share in land, trade, business, and jobs in the private sector, and even failed to give them the full benefits of Govt jobs. He further said the Govt sells all the Govt sectors in Pvt hands and even now making an attempt to change the Constitution. To halt the Govt and to Save the Constitution from fundamental Rights, a Maharally is proposed at Ramleela Maidan New Delhi on 5 Nov 2023. He appealed to Bahujans to participate.
Ramesh Sarmal, Dr. Ramesh Kaith, Ashu Peter Mattoo, S Kuldeep Singh Giani, Imran Choudhary, Shashi Syal, Ram Janam Kumar, Jangbhadur, Ajay Gandotra, Ranjeet Paswan, Devi Dass, Sahil Bhatti, and others also spoke on the occasion.