212 LABOUR IN MADRAS Unions who are Brahmanas and I have not heard any complaints against them. In fact, the Brahmana-nonBrahmana question has never arisen. A few months ago I invited some 200 members of the Textile Unicn to a dinner at Adyar, where I live. I invited Brahmanas, non-Brahmanas of all castes, Muslims, Indian Christians and Panchamas. At the dinner, next to me sat a Panchama and by his side was a Brahmana ; on the other side of me sat a Brahmana, and next to him was an Indian Christian. All were served the same vegetarian food, they all were treated alike, and the function was a great success. On numerous occasions all castes and communities have joined hands in an active manner. Further, I know for a fact that nonBrahmana labourers regará as ridiculous the movement started by some interested people, and they will not allow caste questions to affect their labour work; and that is also true of politics. I am a member of the Madras Presidency Association, which is an organisation of non-Brahmanas. I feel that these non-Brahmana communities must be organised for national work and by means of this Association we want to help the non-Brahmanas, who include rich landlords and merchants and artisans as also the bulk of the population, to take their part in the political and general advancement of India. Unlike the movement inaugurated by Dr. Nair, this Association is not anti-Brahmana, but wants to co-operate with Brahmanas to bring about the desired result. Anyway, among the 20,000 poor people of Madras City with whom I come in contact through one or other of the Labour Unions, the anti-Brahmana movement finds no favour and most of them are non-Brahmanas.
