Chavdar Tale centenary year: Thousands throng Mahad, pay respects to Ambedkar

Shobha Dhone, a farm labourer from Marathwada’s Latur, travelled over 450 km to reach Mahad on Friday (March 20, 2026). On the steps of Chavdar Tale, she broke into a song in Marathi to recall how Dalits were once denied water from the public tank. “Cattle were allowed to drink water from the waterbody, but not the Dalits. He (Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar) opened the doors to Chavdar Tale (lake) for us,” the song in Marathi meant.

Septuagenarian Taibai Dhonde from Nanded cut her off, saying, “Our people were suffering without water. He fought for the entire society, not for any particular community.”

Ninety-nine years ago, on March 20, 1927, Ambedkar led thousands to drink water from the public tank, asserting the right of the then “untouchable” communities to use public facilities. This movement occurred three years before the Salt Satyagraha or Dandi march.

Before salt, there was water: why Mahad Satyagraha deserves its centenary

On Friday (March 20, 2026), the beginning of the centenary year of the historic Mahad Satyagraha, the small town in coastal Maharashtra’s Raigad resembled a pilgrimage site. Dressed in white, scores of families walked 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 premises beautification project’, with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performing the bhoomipoojan.

Speaking about the movement, CPI(M) General Secretary M. A. Baby said that it was important to take the legacy of social transformation to the masses throughout the year.

“Chavdar Tale is a struggle to recognise that Dalits are human beings. At a time when animals were allowed to drink from the tank, but not Dalits, it was a big injustice,” said CPI (M) polit bureau member Mariam Dhawale. The CPI (M), along with Jaati Ant Sangharsha Samiti, All India Kisan Sabha, CITU and AIDWA, held a two-day Human Rights Convention and protest march in Mahad on March 19-20.

The Congress also organised a programme in Mahad on the occasion. While speaking at the event, Tushar Gandhi, the great-grandson of Mahatma Gandhi, drew parallels between Mahad Satyagraha and Mahatma Gandhi’s Salt Satyagraha, highlighting their deeper significance. Maharashtra Congress president Harshawardhan Sapkal termed Chavdal Tale water as ‘nectar of equality’.

Speaking about the movement, CPI(M) said it was important to take the legacy of social transformation to the masses throughout the year
| Photo Credit:
Mayur Bargaje

Centenary of Manusmruti burning

December 25 will mark the centenary of the burning of the Manusmriti by Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar in Mahad. CPI(M), along with All India Kisan Sabha and other organisations, plans to hold a larger gathering in Mahad in December. “It will reaffirm the continued relevance of anti-caste and anti-capitalist struggles rooted in the historic legacy of Mahad,” a 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,” Ms. Mariam said.

Another CPI(M) polit bureau member, Ashok Dhawale, said, “The atrocities and injustices based on caste have not yet disappeared from India.”

R. B. More remembered

Leaders also visited the residence of R. B. More, a key organiser of the Mahad Satyagraha. His grandson, Subodh More, said the 1927 movement was the moment when leadership emerged from within the Dalit community.