I do not think that I am doing any violence to etiquette by stating in this Committee that when I had the pleasure of meeting. Mahatma Gandhi a week ago and of discussing the question of the Depressed Classes with him and when we, as Members of the other minorities, had the chance of talking with him yesterday in his office, he told us in quite plain terms that the attitude that he had taken in the Federal Structure Committee was his full and well-considered attitude.”
Dr. Ambedkar, then thundered that if the Depressed Classes were not going to be recognized in the future constitution of India, as was done by the Minorities Sub-Committee during the first session of the Round table Conference, he would neither join that particular Committee nor whole-heartedly support the proposition for adjournment. Sir Herbert Carr, Dr. Dutt and others welcomed the adjournment.
The discussions between Gandhi and the Muslim leaders went on for a week. The newspapers declared that the discussions had reached an encouraging stage. It was reported that Gandhi had conceded to the Muslims their fourteen points, accepted that the residuary powers be vested in federating provinces, allowed the Muslims majority in the Punjab and in Bengal, and had offered the Muslims a blank cheque. The talks, however, failed on the Sikh-Muslim question.
On October 8 Gandhi announced, with deep sorrow to the Minorities Committee, his utter failure in securing an agreed solution of the communal question through informal conversations amongst and with the representatives of different groups. He said that the causes of failure were inherent in the composition of the Indian Delegation, and that they were almost all not elected representatives of the parties or groups whom they were presumed to represent nor were those whose presence was absolutely necessary for an agreed solution. Не, therefore, moved for an adjournment of the meeting sine die. Dr. Ambedkar took up the challenge and stood to reply to Gandhi He said that Gandhi was guilty of a breach of understanding according to which it was agreed the previous night that none of the delegates was to make any speech or any comment that would cause exasperation.
Dr. Ambedkar’s vitriolic tone began to rise. He thundered: “What disturbs me, after hearing Mr. Gandhi, is that instead of confining himself to his proposition, namely, that the Minorities Committee should be adjourned sine die, he started casting reflections upon the representatives of the different communities who are sitting round this Table. He said that the delegates were the nominees of Government, and that they did not represent the views of their respective communities for whom they stood. We cannot deny the allegation that we are nominees of the Government. but speaking for myself, I have not the slightest doubt that even if the Depressed Classes of India were given the chance of electing their representatives to this Conference. I would all the same, find a place here, I say therefore, that whether I am a nominee or not, I fully represent the claims of my community. Let no man be under any mistaken impression as regards that”.
The Mahatma has been claiming, “Dr. Ambedkar proceeded” that the Congress stands for the Depressed Classes, and that the Congress represents the Depressed Classes more than I or my colleagues can do. To that claim I can only say that it is one of the many false claims which irresponsible people keep on making although the persons concerned with regard to those claims have been invariably denying them (Proceedings of Federation Structure Committee & Minorities Committee, p.534). Dr. Ambedkar thereupon showed how he had received from the farthest Untouchable corner of India from the places which he had never visited and from the men he had never seen telegrams supporting the stand taken by him. He then told the Committee that either the Committee should solve the problem with British Govt. should undertake its solution. In his utter disappointment and fear, he said that the Depressed Classes were not anxious about the transfer of power under the present circumstances, but if the Government wanted to transfer power, it should be accompanied by such conditions and by such provisions that the power should not find itself into the hands of a clique, into the hands of the oligarchy, or into the hands of a group of people whether Mohammedans or Hindus: the solution should be such that the power should be shared by all communities in their respective proportions.
The Prime Minister appealed to the Delegates not to attribute causes to any method by which they had been elected or to their own personal shortcomings. He asked them to face the facts and asked them whether the problem existed in India or not. The speech of the Premier was rather pungent in tone and some called it ingrate, full of bitter side shafts against Gandhi.
(To be continued)
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings & Speeches, Vol. 17. Part-1 (p.114-116) 2003. Rs. 125. Govt. of Maharashtra, Bombay. The book may be had from Director. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee, Higher Education department. Government of Maharashtra, Barrack No. 18, Opp. Mantralaya, Bombay – 400 021.
