On March 20, 2026, at the beginning of the centenary of the historic Mahad Satyagraha, the small town of Raigad in coastal Maharashtra was commemorated as a place of pilgrimage. | Photo credit: Mayur Bargaje
Shobha Dhone, an agricultural laborer from Marathwada’s Latur, covered more than 450 km to reach Mahad on Friday (March 20, 2026). On the steps of Chavdar Tale, she broke into a song in Marathi to remember how Dalits were once denied water from a public tank. “Cattle were allowed to drink water from the watercourse but not Dalits. He (Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) opened the door to Chavdar Tale (lake) for us,” the song meant in Marathi.
Seven-year-old Taibai Dhonde from Nanded interrupted her, saying, “Our people were suffering without water. He was fighting for the whole society, not for any particular community.”
Ninety-nine years ago, on March 20, 1927, Ambedkar led thousands of people to drink water from a public tank, asserting the right of the then “untouchable” communities to use public facilities. This movement took place three years before the Salt Satyagraha or Dandi march.
Before salt was water: why Mahad Satyagraha deserves its centenary
On Friday (March 20, 2026), the beginning of the centenary of the historic Mahada Satyagraha, the small town of Raigad in coastal Maharashtra was commemorated as a place of pilgrimage. Dressed in white, dozens of families filed in as temporary roadside stalls sold statues of Gautam Buddha, Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar, jewellery, books and memorabilia.
On the occasion, the Maharashtra government launched the ‘Chavdar Tale water purification and beautification project’, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performing the bhoomipoojan.
Speaking about the movement, CPI(M) general secretary MA Baby said it was important to pass on the legacy of social transformation to the masses throughout the year.
“Chavdar Tale is a struggle to recognize that Dalits are human beings. At a time when animals were allowed to drink from the tank but not Dalits, it was a great injustice,” said CPI (M) Politburo member Mariam Dhawale. The CPI (M) along with Jaati Ant Sangharsha Samiti, All India Kisan Sabha, CITU and AIDWA organized a two-day human rights convention and protest march in Mahad on March 19-20.
The Congress also organized a program at Mahad on the occasion. Tushar Gandhi, Mahatma Gandhi’s great-grandson, while speaking at the event, drew parallels between the Mahad Satyagraha and Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha and emphasized their deeper significance. Maharashtra Congress President Harshawardhan Sapkal called Chavdal Tale water the “nectar of equality”.
Speaking about the movement, the CPI(M) said it was important to pass on the legacy of social transformation to the masses throughout the year | Photo credit: Mayur Bargaje
Centenary of Manusmruti burning
On December 25, we will commemorate the centenary of the burning of Manusmriti by Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar at Mahad. The CPI(M), along with the All India Kisan Sabha and other organisations, is planning to hold a larger rally in Mahad in December. “It will reaffirm the continuing relevance of the anti-caste and anti-capitalist struggles rooted in Mahad’s historical legacy,” the party leader said. “This government wants to strengthen Manusmruti, which will indirectly strengthen the caste system. We want to protect the constitution of the country,” said Mariam.
Another CPI(M) politburo member, Ashok Dhawale, said, “Atrocities and caste-based injustices have not yet disappeared from India.”
RB More remembered
The leaders also visited the residence of RB More, a key organizer of the Mahad Satyagraha. His grandson Subodh More said the 1927 movement was the moment when leadership emerged within the Dalit community.
Published – 20 March 2026 20:55 IST
