Krishna Arjun Keluskar

Krishna Arjun Keluskar   (20^th august 1860------unknown),

                      A great benefactor of Baba Sabib Dr.B.R.Ambedkar

                                                                         By : Er.H.R. Phonsa

 A good hearted teacher and Marathi writer Krishna Arjun Keluskar was born on 20 August 1860 in Marashtra  in British India.  He was born in Kelus village of Vegurala. According to Census 2011 information the location code or village code of Kelus village is 566647. Kelus village is located in Vengurla Tehsil of Sindhudurg district in Maharashtra, India. It is situated 24km away from sub-district headquarter Vengurla and 33km away from district headquarter. Kelus village is also a gram panchayat. Keluskar was  a prime  Shivcharitkar in Marathi.

Subedar Ramji Sakhpal ,Bhimrao Ambedkar ’s father moved to Bombay (now Mumbai)  in 1904. Ramji got on rent accommodation in Dabak Chawl at lower Parel,  a labour area. Bhimrao was admitted in Maratha  High School and later to the Elphinstone High School. The house surroundings were not conducive for peaceful living and education of children.  So to continue his studies Bhimrao Ambedkar  used to go to Charni Road Garden (now S.K. Patil Udyan) to study. Bhimrao Ambedkar  used to  read under a street light pole in the garden as the house lady had warned them to put off light early. Krishnaji Arjun Keluskar, the Brahmin Headmaster ( D.Keer writes Assistant teacher) of Wilson High School, who used to frequent the same garden, noticed the studious boy. Keluskar asked from Bhimrao Ambedkar , his family and circumstances why he reads in the garden for long time.  Bhimrao Ambedkar told him all his difficulties. For these pleasant conversations Keluskar used to sit with Bhimrao Ambedkar. Both had pleasant talks and Kerluskar promised all help in his studies to Bhimrao Ambedkar. He carried his promise ,by giving reading material and all other possible helps to Bhimrao Ambedkar .

      When Bhimrao Ambedkar  explained his difficulties and his desire to get higher education, Keluskar could judge the supper qualities  in  Bhimrao Ambedkar  and  wished him bright future . Keluskar ji , promised Bhimrao Ambedkar  all helps in his studies. When Bhimrao  Ambedkar passed his Matriculation in 1907 so earned the distinction of being first Mahar, to pass such examination.  This occasion was celebrated by his community and a function was arranged which was attended by good hearted teacher Krishana Ji Keluskar and S.K. Bole, both Brahmins by caste. S.K.Bole a great socialist reformer of Maharashtra presided over the function. Both spoke of high head and heart qualities in Ambedkar, and wished him all success. Krishana  Arjun  Keluskar , a famous  Marathi writer gave his book” Life Of Gautam Buddha” to Bhimrao Ambedkar  . Bhimrao Ambedkar read this book which  brought turning point in his life. The seed of Buddhism sown by this book spouted in 1935 when Baba Dahib declared to leave Hinduism and it bore fruits on 14^th October 1956 when Baba Sahib embraced Buddhism with his lacs of followers and succeeded to bring back Buddha to His land of birth India, after 20 centuries. 

S .K. Bole a social reformer moved a resolution in the Bombay Legislative Council on 4^thAugust, 1923 and the same was adopted in the House. The resolution stated that "The untouchable classes be allowed to use all public water places and Dharamshalas which were built and maintained out of public funds or administered by the bodies appointed by the Government or created by statue, as well as public schools, courts, offices and dispensaries." The Bombay Government accordingly issued directive instructions for its implementation on 11^th September, 1923. But this order remained buried in the files with no practical follow up initiative by the Government or social organizations. 

Ramji Sakhpal was facing financial hardships to bear education expenses of his son  Bhimrao Ambedkar . At time he borrowed money from his married daughters to defray the charges of purchasing books for Bhim.  Here again Keluskar ji came to his rescue. As Kerluskar had gained nearness to Maharaj Baroda Siyaji Gaikward –III due to writing  a Book Chhatarpati Shiva Ji Maharaj. For which Maharaja had helped him financially. He arranged an interview of Bhimrao Ambedkar with Maharaja at Maharaja Palace Malabar Hills Bombay. On the appointed day and time Bhimrao Ambedkar could not reach the palace. But in the evening when Maharaja was moving out , he saw Bhimrao Ambedkar standing at his palace gate .The watchman had not allow Bhimrao to enter gate despite the fact he had an interview pass. Maharaja called Bhimrao Ambedkar in, put him some questions and on getting satisfactory answers, sanctioned a monthly scholarship of rupees twenty five .

Ramji Sakhpal passed away on 2^nd February 1913 leaving his son to face the world alone. Ambedkar was keeping in his mind the desire of higher education as per wishes of his father. To Ambedkar higher studies was the only way he could  cut the age old slavery chains of his untouchable Samaj. He had also faced , these precarious condition being faced of his Samaj, so was desirous to cut their roots. He again met his old well wisher keluskar, who advised him to meet the Maharaja Baroda.   He also told to  Ambedkar the Town Hall Bombay announcement of  Maharaja  to extend  help to  meritorious untouchable  students to peruse  studies in foreign  universities. Mean while Baroda State had invited applications for sanction of 4 scholarships for studies in Columbia University New York, U.S.A.  Bhimrao Ambedkar   was  on look out of such opportunities. Ambedkar met the Maharaja and expressed his wish for help for higher studies. Maharaja advised Ambedkar to put up his application to the Baroda State for foreign scholarship for higher studies. Ambedkar put up an application and his request was accepted . Bhimrao Ambedkar was asked to sign an agreement on June 4, 1913 to serve the Baroda State for 10 years after completion of his foreign studies and he signed the agreement. Ambedkar prepared for going abroad for higher studies.

 He reached New York in the third week of Julu, 1913. After his studies at Columbia and London he return to India on August 21, 1917. Reason to return to India leaving his studies incomplete, was  that his scholarship term was not extended by the Dewan Of Baroda State.

As per agreement Dr. Ambedkar had to serve the State of Baroda for 10 years. On reaching Baroda Ambedkar was treated very badly  , he got no accommodation to live and his office high caste staff including peons treated the highly read Doctor with contempt.  Ambedkar returned to Bombay. When this came in notice of Keluskar, he approached Maharaja Baroda and informed him all about it. Even Maharaja did not reply to Keluskar. But professor at Baroda was very well known to Keluskar. Keluskar asked him to help Ambedkar and he agreed to keep Ambedkar as paying guest.On these assurances Ambedkar returned to Baroda. On  reaching Baroda railway Station  Ambedkar received a  note from the  professor through his  man ,saying ,his orthodox  wife was not agreeing  to the proposal of Ambedkar, an touchable, staying at their house. Ambedkar again returned to Bombay second time. His step mother was serious and she passed away.

 As per available records Krishana Arjun Keluskar wrote life story book “Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Charitra.” and the first Marathi edition of this  book having 600 pages was brought out in 1907. Shahu Ji Maharaj financially helped the author. The Maharaja of Baroda Siyaji Giakward honored Keluskar with “ Ragal Of Baroda State” award. The book was later published in Hindi and Gujrati.  The author continued collecting more material for the book and second edition with added material was also published by the Entertainer press by K.R. Mitr.  This was done on the promise to purchase books by  “ The Shri Shivaji Literary Memorial Committee” formed by  some leading members of different Hindu Communities in Bombay. But this committee could only  collect rupees  thousands so the author  For publishing the two editions Keluskar was caught in debt trap of Rupees 24000/-.  The committee approached  the Chief of Indore State Sawai Shri Tukojirao III Holkar hor financial help. Sawai Shri Tukojirao III Holkar agreed to extend help to pay off the debt. So the  purchase of 4000 copies of English version of this book was finalised  for denoting to all World Libraries( Refer Committee letter 15th September 1925 from Keluskar  address. Address — C/o K. A. Keluskar, Dadar, Bombay, India)  . This also confirms that at least till September 1925 Keluskar was alive. BAMCEF a Dalit organization have brought out 4 editions of this book between 1991-2010. This explains the importance of the book and wisdom, labor  of the learned author. Beside these above mentioned books, Keluskar also  wrote in Marathi  Adhyamic( Spiritual) Gayanratnavali (1894), Old History of France and Character of Tukaram Maharaj .

 Dr.B.R. Bhimrao  Ambedkar engaged himself in multifarious duties in India. Mean while a post of Principal of Sydenham College Bombay fell vacant. Ambedkar had all qualifications to be appointed, he applied.  Keluskar met Dr. R. P. Paranjpye, the  Member for Education, at Mahabaleshwaram and  recommended Ambedka’s name for the post. However Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was not appointed despite all his super education qualification records. Instead Dr. R. P. Paranjpye offered post of Principal of Elphinstone College Bombay but Dr. Ambedkar refused the offer.

Dr Ambedkar was in London in 1933 he came to know that his benefactor Keluskar was then, an old man needed help. The great full Dr. B. R. Ambedkar had not forgotten the  sympathies of  Keluskar, wrote a petition to Maharaja Baroda through his Dewan and appealed the  Maharaja to grant monthly pension to to ease his life in old age. This way both Dr. Ambedkar and Keluskar  stood by each other rendered  helped when ever any one was in need.  Not only these both persons has gone down in history but shall be remembered for their generosity.

 Words 1628

Dated 31-8-2020                                                       Er.H.R.Phonsa

                                                    hrphonsa@gmail.com

 

Source Material.  

1.      https://www.livehistoryindia.com/snapshort-histories/2018/12/06/dr-ambedkar-against-all-odds

2.       Dr. B.R.Ambedkar,The Messiah Of the Down trodden By Janak Singh.

3.       Dr.Ambedkar: Life and Mission by Dhananjay Keer

4.      DR. AMBEDKAR AND BRAHMINS by  Justice R.A. Jahagirdar (Retd)

5.       Dr.Ambedkar and his Associates By; Er.H.R.Phonsa.

 

Madam Jaibai, a Dalit Educationist

  Madam  Jaibai,  a Dalit  Educationist

    (2May,1892 to 11Oct.-1964)

India is a country which was governed for centuries by Laws of Manu . Defining  duties of woman towards her husband  “ though he may be bereft of virtue, given to lust and totally devoid of good qualities, a good woman should always worship her husband like a god”.  For community living and follow feeling among  Hindu, enmity was made  permanent. As Manu asked the householders of the Brahmans, and Kshtriyas , Vaishyas with regard to Shudras. “Let him not dwell in a country where the rulers are Shudras,”(Ref  page 145 ,Chapter- 5  EMPOWERMENT OF chapter : iv dalit women and educational development  . In Hindu Society, a woman faced triple curse of caste, class and gender. In the free India the country got freedom but majority ruling class observed   and maintained old mentality of   hating on religious lines. Manu divested  woman all rights of independence Manusmiriti ( 5-147,148).  Goswami Tulsidas in Ramachritamanasa equated a woman for treatment  with a dhool ( musical instrument) , Gamwar (uncivilized, rustic ), a Sudra  ( Low caste  unsophisticated, out caste  human) and a Pashu ( Sundra-Kanda 58-3)  and a woman is impure by her very birth ( Aranaya Kanda  5-A)  again the Tulsidas declares in(Aranaya Kanda  34-2) .  Hidu society declared and treated a woman as dishonorable , shame full and dull headed. Ruth Manorama , Dalit social activist from Bangalore stated that in a male dominated society, “Dalit women face a triple burden of caste, class and gender

A great teacher of yesterday’s   Madam Jai bai  alias Jai Bai Chaudhary  was a powerful revolutionary leader of the Dalit movement. Born in the Mahar community, she worked for the education of young Dalit girls so  earned distinction   of being  the first Dalit woman principal  of a school. She conceived and opened a girl’s school named the ‘Chokhamela Kanya Paathshalaa’ or Chokhamela Children’s School. Before Jai bai  ever first Dalit woman  educationist Mata Savitribai Phuley(1831 –1897) with the guidance and support of her husband Mahatama Jyotiba Phuley(1927- 1890) opened series of schools. They opened ever first school for girls including Dalits on 1st January 1848. With Mata Savitribai Phuley was Madam Fatima Sheikh the first Muslim teacher,who also laid foundation of Dali Muslim unity in mid Nineteenth Century (AD)

 So Madam Jai bai carried forward education and social awakening work started by Savitribai Phule and Baba Saheb Ambedkar’s, tradition of knowledge production and dissemination.

 The work and life sketch have remained buried under curse of lack of education in Dalit Samaj for too long.  Her story of contributions and the story of her struggles with achievements have been published  with the efforts of modern writers.

  Jai Bai Chaudary was born on May 2, 1892, at Umred, 15 km from Nagpur in Maharashtra. Maharastra educationists  has  played a lead roll for education and social struggle of Dalit samaj  Her parents worked as  laborers and  extremely poor . With the spread of famine   of 1896  large scale deaths , employment  erupted  hardly  leaving anything  source of survival . Therefore   her parents moved to Nagpur in search of employment. When she used to go out for  fire wood collection with her girl friends, she saw an European lady teacher teaching  children. A strong desire aroused in her mind for getting education.  While passing by school she looked with curiosity. This was observed by European teacher Miss Gregory who asked Jaibai to join school. She while going to firrwood collection also started reading . When this came to know of her parents they took it ill. They gave her beating and even mixed read chillies in her bathing water to teach her a lesson ,so that she leaves going to school. However this punishment had a reverse effect on her and her desire for education increased. Miss Gregory contacted her parents and asked them to send their daughter to school promising her all help in her education. The kind hearted teached supported Jaibai in her education by providing her reading material like, books, papers, pencils and school clothing.  By the time Jaibai attained age  of 11 years she had passed 4^th primary class. But now her parents married  off Jaibai to Bapuji Chaudhury an illiterate, poor, unemployed but cruel  person.

Now  Jaibai  in her tender age came  mountain of  misfortune, so her education came to  halt. Miss  Garogary again came  to her help by advising Jaibai’s in laws to allow her education, but they will not agree as for them education was grate curse  .In the society it was believed that woman education brings in course and misfortune. The golden hearted teacher even got her husband a service of Tonga (horse  cart)  driver. Jaibai’s in laws assigned her more and more household working so that she is left with no spare time. They also beat her.  Under these pressing circumstances Jaibai left schooling and started working as coolie. She used to carry on her head load from Nagpur to Kaamti railway stations, a distance of 8-10 kilometers.  After 4-5 years with the help of  Miss Gregory Jaibai got teaching job in Missionary School at Timki , near Nagpur. She started getting a salary of Rupees four per month. Her joy was short lived when the upper caste upper caste students came to know that their teacher was Mahar by caste. The parents of upper caste students never wanted that an untouchable teacher, teach their wards. So they threatened to leave school if she is not dismissed. So Jaibai lost her job. However she did not lose heart and her spirits for education of Dalit girls besides upliftment of Dalit women.

Her losing job proved a  turning point in Jai Bai’s life and she decided to take on the social evils of caste and untouchability head on. She was convinced that  education is an important tool in being able to flight caste oppression. So she decided to spend her entire life educating the ‘untouchable’ children of her community to ensure they can live a life with dignity. She went from home to home, encouraging parents to send their children to school. Her efforts bore fruits  and in 1922, she began a school under name and style as  “Chokhamela Kanya Paathshaala”, after the name of 14^th centuary Saint Chokhamela,  a saint from the untouchable community. This school opening was tribute to Mata Savitribai Phuley after a quarter of century. The school was established in new colony Tuesday Bazaar( Mangalwari Bazaar) . Besides employed teachers she used to teach herself also. But the behavior of her in law family especially her husband became more tough.  She had to carry whole household duties besides her school duties. Jaibai used to visit rural villages where she talked with rural women about importance of  education, cleanliness, small families and resiting untouchability treatment to Dalits. The school started by Jaibai  is continues to educate young girls even today. This school was Primary ( 192-1954) upgraded to Higher Secondary( 1954-1980) and  now it has become a college.  Jai Bai’s dedication to education also finds recognition in the world famous Dalit literary writer, Kaushalya Baisantri’s autobiography titled ‘Dohra Abhishaap’ (Doubled Curses). In it, she gives credit to Jai Bai for encouraging her to study, become a social activist and an independent personality.

 She gave birth to  three children from her wedlock. Her   one son and one daughter only servived as her younger son died in fancy.

Jai Bai’s emphasis on the need to treat women and men equally was apparent in her  8-9 August,1930, address to the Akhil Bhartiya Dalit Congress’s first convention, while representing Dalit women, she said loud and clear, “Girls should be provided full opportunities for education, like boys. She was secretary to reception committee of this conference. This conference was presided by Baba Sahib Barat Ratana Dr. B. R. Ambedkar

 Jai  bai was invited to attend the Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Parishad held in December 1937. Despite sending her invitation but  she was not give due respect.  Since the  Parsid was of upper caste women so,  Jai bai was  made to sit separately away from the dining area. Jai bai protested against this discriminatory behavior  of upper caste  women  and held them accountable for it. Jai bai told to the Parishad women that they preach for unity among all Hindus, but give insulting treatment to sudras, which was against natural human rights.  In India Mahatama Gandhi was then actively pleading against the curse of untouchability giving sky high assurances to Sudras that he will end untouchability  or else die. The Indian National Congress   Hindu leaders   including Mahatama Gandhi who attended Round Table Conferences London ( Gandhi Ji attended only II RTC) opposed Dr. Ambedkar’s just  claims that in India,  his people Sudras ,faced  worst treatment because of prevailing untouchability. Pt. Madan Mohan Malvia when refuted Dr. Ambedkar claims as false, Dr. Ambedkar offered a glass of water to Malvia, but later refused to take it. So Dr.Ambedkar’s point of caste discrimination with his people was proved correct in the house. This opened the eyes of British authorities about inhuman treatment  to Depressed classes people, so issued  Dual Voting Rights (  Communal Award) to untouchable in elections. Gandhi even torpedoed  it by resorting to Fast till death, if Communal award was not nullified. So Poona Pact of 1932 was signed by Dr. Ambedkar under duress with Hindu leaders. But Hindu leaders including Pt. MM Malvia washed away pollution got during signing the pact where he might have touched Depressed caste people including Dr. Ambedkar, a  Mahar by caste.

 Jai bai organized strong   protest against ill treatment to her in Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Parishad

 Jai Bai along with thousands of Dalit women organized a meeting on January 1st, 1938, attended by scores of Dalit women where she discussed the same and they stood as one voice in opposition to caste-based discrimination against Dalit women by upper caste women. It was in this meeting that Ramabai established a ‘Mahila Sangh’ and this group also decided to start a night school for Dalit women.  The moto of girl education was as education of a girl, the whole family becomes educated”.               

In December of 1937, she was invited by the Akhil Bhartiya Mahila Parishad to attend their convention and during the same, she faced discrimination from the upper caste feminists running the program. She was made to sit far away from the dining area. To protest against this discriminatory behaviour and outright asterism and insult and to hold them accountable for it, Jai Bai along with thousands of Dalit women organized a meeting on January 1st, 1938, attended by scores of Dalit women where she discussed the same and they stood as one voice in opposition to caste-based discrimination against Dalit women by upper caste women. It was in this meeting that Ramabai established a ‘Mahila Sangh’ and this group also decided to start a night school for Dalit women. 

Jaibai choudhari was a member of the reception committee of the All India Depressed Classes Women's conference held at Nagpur in 1942 where the Scheduled Caste Fedration was formed. Shri Rao Bahadur N. Shivraj (1892-1964)was elected as President and Shri P.N. Rajbhoj (1905-1984) General Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation. The conference was addressed by Dr. Ambedkar.The Samta Sainik Dal(Army of Soldiers for Equality) was formed by Dr.Ambedkar in 1828 under subedar V.D. Savadkar (1889-1939).Meeting of Samta Dal was also held on the same vanue. Samta Sainik Dal had a Dalit volunteer force of over 20, 000 . Madam Jaibai Choudhari a member of Scheduled Castes Federation participated in Satyagraha (1946) for political rights to Dalits at Nagpur. Being a staunch believer in Buddhism she got converted to Buddhism in 1956.

The dedicated work   for Girl education carried by Madaam Jai bai shall remain a torch bearer for future generations. The Dalit women’s movement will remain forever indebted to the work and struggles of Jai Bai Chaudhury . She devoted her entire life to the cause of the community

 India particularly   Maharashtra now  boasts of a strong Dalit women’s movement and its understanding of injustice and caste oppression. This is due to dedicated work of many Dalit  women like Mata Savitribai Phuley , Jai bai, Dani Shantabai  ( 1918-2000) etc, possessing  strong wil power, commitment to Dalit women welfare, towards those who were kept out of schools for centuries . These angles imparted among masses the importance of educationwith the power to revolt against injustice. As long as there is injustice, oppression, illiteracy, we will continue to look up to Jai Bai and her struggles as a burning flame whose light will bring strength to our lives and struggles. Maharashtian educationist and Marathi writer Kusumvati  Deshpande( 1904-61)   was greatly impressed by the work of Jaibai Choudhary so she wrote her story  book Moli ( Group of collected girls) making Jai bai’s life as theme of book. The book earned many appriciations.

Madam Jai bai, an iron lady breathed her last on 11^th October,1964  at an age of 72 years. She shall be long remembered as torch bearer of Dalit education and preacher to revolt against oppression.

    Dated: 14-8-2020                                           Words 2187

                  Source Material:-

1.       Romanised Edition Sri Ramachritamanasa

2.        Laws of Manu by Wendy Doniger with Brian K.Smith

3.       Krantikari Mehlayan ( hindi) by S.S. Goutam( ISBN 978-80292-13-7)

4.       https://www.forwardpress.in/2014/08/birth-of-dalit-womens-discourse/

                                  WRITTEN BYdalithistorymonth

5.       .(https://feminisminindia.com/2018/01/11/manusmriti

                     6            Dr. Ambedkar and His Associates By Er. H. R.  Phonsa