An open air meeting of nearly ten thousand persons convened by the Maharatta Sangh, Poona, representing all communities was held this evening [November 8] near Snanwar Wada [in Poona] to support the Congress League Scheme. Mr. V.R. Sinde of the Depressed Classes Mission presided. In his address he demanded on behalf of all castes and creeds Swarajya on the lines of the Congress scheme. He said that only two hundred years ago the Maharattas founded and enjoyed Swarajya and, therefore, even now instinctively knew it. He condemned disunion at the present juncture and gave a crushing reply to objections brought against the movement by a section of the non-Brahmins. The loyalty resolution having been passed, the next resolution supporting the Congress League Scheme in toto was moved by Mr. Awate and supported by representatives of all classes such as Mahrattas, Brahmins, Mahomedans, Dhangars, Sonar Maug, Chamber Mali, Shimpi Prabhu Manbhav, Venjari Kasar, Koshti, Ramoshi Gawali.
Mr. Tilak speaking in support of the resolution said that if all communities are to be represented in the Council they would be unwieldy and unmanageable. Even His Highness the Gaekwar has not resorted to the communal representation in village panchayats in his state. The Brahmins have elected non-Hindus such as Sir Dinshaw Watcha and Sir Ebrahim Rahimtullah in preference to a Brahmin and, therefore, the fear that all power would be centralised in the hands of the Brahmins had no foundation in fact. The chairman was authorised to send the resolutions to the proper authorities.
