NCP chief Sharad Pawar said here on Friday that Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar had to take the "bitter" decision of leaving Hinduism in the 1930s as the social situation in the country was not acceptable to him. The veteran politician was speaking at a function where a book on Ambedkar, written by Advocate Jaidev Gaikwad, was released.

All his life, Ambedkar raised his voice against injustices, and among other things he sought equal rights for women, Pawar said. When he launched a `satyagraha` to gain entry for Dalits in the Kalaram temple in Nashik in 1930, Ambedkar asked the participants to put it in writing that they do not believe in the `Chaturvarnya` system (ancient hierarchial organization of Hindu society) and will work towards the eradication of untouchability which was a blot on the Hindu religion, the NCP chief said.