Mahad Satyagraha’s Architect, This Dalit Leftist Leader Was Offered a Ticket by Babasaheb in the 1937 Bombay Elections, Sent to Paris

New Delhi- A groundbreaking book launch recently took place under the aegis of the Janwadi Lekhak Sangh and Vam Prakashan unveiling a vital link between the Dalit movement and leftist ideology. Titled From Dalit Liberation to Class Struggle: The Life of Comrade R.B. More, this book chronicles the life of Ramchandra Babaji More (R.B. More), a prominent Dalit trade unionist and labor organizer whose caste-opposing and labor activism in Bombay (now Mumbai) during the first half of the twentieth century was deeply intertwined with Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar’s efforts.

R.B. More was a key figure in the historic Mahad Satyagraha of 1927, where Ambedkar led a monumental movement against untouchability. More organized the Depressed Classes Conference in Kolaba district, inviting Ambedkar, where thousands of Dalits asserted their rights by drinking water from the Chavdar Tank. This event was a cornerstone of the Dalit movement, and the book vividly details More’s pivotal role.

More was a founding member of Ambedkar’s second newspaper, Bahishkrit Bharat, contributed to Janata, edited the leftist newspaper Aavhan, and later served as an editor for the CPI(M) publication Jivan Marg. The launch event highlighted the deep bond between More and Ambedkar, including More’s role in the Mahad Satyagraha, Ambedkar’s offer to him of a ticket for the 1937 Bombay elections under the Independent Labour Party (ILP), and his trip to Paris for the International Labour Organization (ILO) conference. This book serves as a clarion call for unity against today’s fascist and Brahminical assaults, underscoring the relevance of the Dalit and leftist movements.

The event was not just a book launch but also a platform for profound discussions on Dalit liberation, class struggle, and the shared legacy of Ambedkar and More. The distinguished guests included prominent leftist leader Comrade Subhashini Ali, More’s grandson Subodh More, English translator Vandana Sonalkar, playwright Rajesh Kumar, and critic Bajarang Bihari Tiwari. The Hindi translation was done by Sandhya Shaily, with the foreword penned by Subhashini Ali. Originally published in Marathi in 2003, the book combines More’s incomplete autobiography with a biography by his son, Satyendra More. Speakers emphasized that More’s life exemplifies the unity of Dalit and leftist movements, making this book especially relevant for Hindi-speaking regions.

The event began with a representative from the Janwadi Lekhak Sangh describing the book as “a bridge between Dalit liberation and class struggle.” They noted, “In an era where fascist forces, a manifestation of Brahminical hegemony, are attacking marginalized communities, More’s story inspires unity. He was a key architect of the Mahad Satyagraha, and Ambedkar sent him to Paris, elevating the Dalit movement globally.” The book was launched by four key speakers. Editor Sanjay highlighted its unique structure: “This is likely the first Hindi book to combine an autobiography and biography. More’s incomplete autobiography, preserved after his death in 1972, was completed by Satyendra More.” He added that the book is a guiding light amid rising attacks on marginalized communities.

Sanjay shared insights into the editing process: “With Subodh’s guidance, we preserved the Marathi essence. We minimized interventions and included documents like letters from Congress to ensure authenticity.” He emphasized that the book reflects More’s clear vision on caste and class issues.

Ambedkar and More: An Unbreakable Bond

The event’s focal point was the profound connection between More and Ambedkar. Subodh More stated, “R.B. More’s life aligns perfectly with the title From Dalit Liberation to Class Struggle. He was a key organizer of the Mahad Satyagraha and Ambedkar’s close associate. Ambedkar sent him to Paris for the ILO conference, where he raised Dalit issues internationally. Rahul Sankrityayan, in New India’s New Leaders, described More as a leader uniting peasant, Dalit, and leftist movements.” Subodh noted that More joined the Communist Party in 1930 with Ambedkar’s approval. In 1937, Ambedkar offered More a ticket for the Bombay elections under the ILP, which More respectfully declined, yet their bond remained strong.

Sanjay added, “More’s life is incomplete without Ambedkar. The biography prominently features Ambedkar, offering glimpses of his early struggles, the Mahad Satyagraha, and More’s Paris trip.” He highlighted More’s sacrifices: “A great leader lived under a bridge, his family in the open.” Sanjay noted More’s efforts to organize sanitation workers and his 1953 note to the Communist Party on caste issues, circulated to district levels.

Subhashini Ali, presiding over the event, said, “More was a bridge between both movements. His Bombay activism was tied to Ambedkar, and his journey from Bahishkrit Bharat to Jivan Marg symbolizes Dalit-left unity.”

Subodh shared the book’s background: “Dalit litterateurs like Anna Bhau Sathe and Baburao Bagul wanted a book on More. The Marathi edition came in 2003, now in Hindi. It includes the 1938 anti-Black Law strike and More’s 1930 Aavhan, which covered the Kalaram Satyagraha.”

Rajesh Kumar remarked, “More’s story strengthens Dalit theater. My plays Raidas, Gandhi-Ambedkar, and Hindu Code Bill draw inspiration from it.” Bajarang Bihari Tiwari emphasized, “This book connects Dalit literature across languages to Hindi readers.” Vandana Sonalkar noted that the book has been translated into Telugu and Kannada.

The launch event illuminated the unbreakable bond between More and Ambedkar, from the Mahad Satyagraha to the 1937 election ticket offer. This book links Dalit liberation with class struggle, offering a powerful message of unity against fascist forces.