The historic town of Mahad in the Raigad district of Maharashtra once again became the centre of a powerful assertion of social justice and resistance on March 19–20, 2026, as the Communist Party of India (Marxist), along with the Jati Ant Sangharsh Samiti (JASS) (Struggle Committee for Annihilation of Caste), organised a ‘Human Rights Convention against Manuwad and Capitalism’ at Betkar Maharaj Math (Comrade R B More Nagar), Ladavli village, near Mahad, followed by a massive rally the next day. Over 1,000 leading activists from all over Maharashtra, both women and men, took part on both days.

RECLAIMING A RADICAL HISTORICAL LEGACY

This event marked the formal launch of the centenary year of the historic Mahad Chavdar Tank Satyagraha led by Dr B R Ambedkar on March 19-20, 1927, and the subsequent burning of the reactionary 2,000-year-old text Manusmriti, again at Mahad, on December 25, 1927. The main organiser of both these historic struggles was Ramchandra Babaji (R B) More, who joined the undivided CPI in 1930 and later became a state committee member of the CPI(M) and the founder-editor of the CPI(M)’s Maharashtra state weekly ‘Jeewan Marg’.

It was at Mahad that Dr Ambedkar and thousands of Dalits, along with some caste Hindus too, asserted the right of all to access public water at the Chavdar Tank, challenging the very foundations of caste oppression. Animals could drink water from the Tank, but not Dalits. The Mahad Satyagraha was a landmark because it was one of India’s earliest organised assertions of Dalit human rights in defiance of centuries-old caste prohibitions. The later burning of the Manusmriti under Dr Ambedkar’s leadership at Mahad became a powerful symbolic rejection of both caste and gender oppression.

This CPI(M)-led convention and rally in 2026 also paid glowing tributes to Comrade R B More, who had played a crucial role in organising both the Mahad Satyagrahas, thereby highlighting the historic links between the anti-caste and Communist movements.

HUMAN RIGHTS CONVENTION AGAINST MANUVAD AND CAPITALISM

The main convention on March 19, took place at Comrade R B More Nagar in Mahad. CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby and other leaders first visited sites linked to the 1927 struggle. The convention was conducted by a presidium comprising S K Rege, Vijay Gabhane, Kiran Gahala, Nathu Salve, Adinath Ingole and Padma Gajbhiye.

It was addressed by CPI(M) General Secretary M A Baby, Polit Bureau members Ashok Dhawale and Mariam Dhawale, Maharashtra State Secretary and Central Committee member Ajit Nawale, Central Committee member Vinod Nikole, MLA, former Central Committee member Narasayya Adam, ex-MLA, state secretariat member D L Karad, JASS leaders Shailendra Kamble and Babruwahan Potbhare and Subodh More, grandson of R B More. Two prominent guest speakers were Tushar Gandhi (great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi) and renowned cultural activist Sambhaji Bhagat, who also presented rousing songs.

M A Baby expressed great happiness that he could be a part of the inauguration of this historic centenary year for social justice and gave a call to carry forward Dr B R Ambedkar’s legacy of social transformation to the masses throughout the centenary year. He spoke of the progressive legacy of other great social reformers like Narayana Guru and Periyar. But despite all this, he pointed out that even today, atrocities on and discrimination against Dalits, Adivasis, Minorities and women are increasing in an alarming manner, as a result of the growing RSS-BJP influence. He urged a wider mobilisation leading up to December 25, 2027, for the 100th anniversary of the public burning of the Manusmriti.

All the speakers highlighted the continuing reality of caste discrimination and violence, the rise of neoliberal policies intensifying inequality, the grave ideological challenge posed by communalism, Brahmanical patriarchy and Manuwadi forces, and the need for united struggles of workers, peasants, agricultural workers, women, youth, Dalits, and Adivasis.

This convention highlighted the CPI(M)'s ongoing efforts to connect the Phule-Shahu-Ambedkar legacy with Marxist perspectives on radical social transformation in Maharashtra. Speakers repeatedly linked the struggle against Brahmanism and Manuwad (casteism) with the fight against capitalism and feudalism, reaffirming the CPI(M)’s commitment to the annihilation of caste and socialist ideals. Organisers announced plans for a much larger gathering in Mahad in December 2027 to mark the centenary of the Manusmriti burning.

IMPRESSIVE RALLY TO HISTORIC SPOTS

The impressive rally on March 20 paid homage at the key historical spots linked to the 1927 movement — the Chavdar Tank, the Kranti Bhoomi (the site of the Manusmriti burning), Dr Ambedkar National Memorial, and the statue of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, whose capital fort Raigad is also close to Mahad. Earlier, on March 19, the CPI(M) delegation led by M A Baby also visited Comrade R B More’s Dasgaon village, the well and the pond where the earlier water satyagrahas began, and the Comrade R B More Secondary School. Subodh More explained the historical significance of these sites to the CPI(M) delegation.

The rally reaffirmed the CPI(M) commitment to annihilating caste, countering gender oppression, combating feudalism and capitalism, fighting for social and economic justice, and advancing to socialism. The CPI(M) linked this historic anti-caste resistance to contemporary battles for human rights and equality and stressed the importance of united struggles against caste oppression (Manuwad) and capitalism.

SALUTARY STATEWIDE IMPACT

The CPI(M)-organised Mahad convention and rally had a salutary impact all over the state, with enthusiastic participation and renewed energy among cadres and supporters. It was widely covered in the Maharashtra media and in Left platforms as a strong reaffirmation of the anti-caste, anti-capitalist struggle in the Centenary Years of the Chavdar Tank Water Satyagraha and the burning of the Manusmriti.

The Mahad programme highlighted the enduring relevance of a struggle that laid the early foundations of the constitutional principles of equality and dignity that India cherishes today. Held at a time when the country is witnessing deepening inequalities, caste and gender atrocities, and pro-corporate policies, the programme invoked the revolutionary legacy of both the historic Mahad Satyagrahas led by Dr Ambedkar in 1927 and reaffirmed its commitment to the establishment of a just social, economic, and political order.

The event sought to renew the call for annihilation of caste, resistance to exploitation, and the building of a democratic, secular, and socialist society. A century after the Mahad Satyagrahas, the message is clear - that the fight against caste oppression and economic exploitation must advance together, through organised class and mass struggle.