Political Career
Late in his cricket career, Baloo met and befriended B. R. Ambedkar, who went on to become the greatest leader of the Dalit and pre-eminent in the struggle to overturn the caste system. Ambedkar considered Baloo a hero of the Dalit, naming him as an inspiration to himself and others of their caste, but over the following years a rift was to grow between the men over the methods of dismantling the caste system.
Baloo went on to become involved in politics, strongly supporting Gandhi's efforts to bring home rule to India and to fully integrate Dalit into Indian society. Ambedkar campaigned for Dalit to be assigned special representation in the legislature. The British Government assented, creating a Communal Award under which Dalit would be elected from a separate electorate composed only of Dalit voters.
Gandhi protested against this, arguing that full integration was the only way to remove the stigma of Untouchability, and special representation would lead only to resentment and civil war. Gandhi then announced his decision to fast until death in protest, beginning on 20 September 1932. Baloo released a press statement stating his admiration for "the spirit in which Mr. Gandhi has proclaimed his intention of sacrificing his life for the sake of the Depressed Classes." Under pressure from Congress, Baloo told Ambedkar that he "was also a leader of the Untouchables and also had an equal right to express his views." Baloo and M. C. Rajah betrayed the popular perception and moved away from the concept of separate electorates given in the Communal Award. Ambedkar was opposed by M.C.Rajah and P.Baloo who joined hands with Congress and Hindu Mahasabha a progenitor of today's BJP and signed a pact against the position of Ambedkar called 'Rajah-Moonje Pact'. Ambedkar negotiated with Gandhi under pressure and signed 'Poona Pact', allowing Dalit more seats, but with all Hindus allowed to vote for them. The British Government quickly ratified the agreement and Gandhi ended his fast on 26 September.
In October 1933, Baloo stood for election for a seat on the Bombay Municipality, on a Hindu Mahasabha ticket. His opponent was a high caste Hindu, well liked by many sections of the community. Baloo lost 2,179 votes to 3,030.
Congress used Baloo against Ambedkar by inciting sub-caste loyalties among Dalits. In 1937, Baloo ran against Ambedkar for a designated "Scheduled Caste" seat in the Bombay Legislative Assembly. Ambedkar defeated Baloo by the close margin of 13,245 votes to 11,225.
Baloo died in Bombay in July 1955. He was remembered most fondly for his great skill on the cricket field, but his passing was also marked by a large crowd including members of the Bombay Legislative Assembly at his cremation, recognising the role he played in overcoming the chains of Untouchability.
Baloo played 33 first class matches, from 1905/06 to 1920/21, taking 179 wickets at an average of 15.21.
Read more about this topic: Palwankar Baloo
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