Certain misleading information is being circulated to you that the Indian Franchise Committee cannot discuss the question of the system of electorates with individuals or associations that submit memoranda to it on behalf of the Depressed Classes. This is very misleading. For in the questionnaire sent by the Committee under the item, “Representation of Depressed Classes” in paper 2, it is clearly stated what specific proposals would one make to secure representation of the community in the legislature.
Those Model Answers
Moreover, I would suggest that our associations would be well advised to send in their own views with reference to their own provinces irrespective of model answers prepared by others. In view of coming changes in the Constitution of India as declared by the Prime Minister on 1st of December 1931 that complete provincial autonomy will be given to provinces. It is very necessary that our community should also keep pace with the times and so we should reconsider the decision which we had arrived at before the statement of the Prime Minister referred to above. (The Bombay Chronicle, dated 27th February 1932),
“The Franchise Committee met at the Viceregal Lodge. Dr. Ambedkar, on behalf of the Depressed Classes, pleaded for the incorporation in the Indian Penal Code or in the future constitution, of a punishment for the instigation or promotion of boycott against the Depressed Classes which prevented them from the free enjoyment of the fundamental rights. The Franchise Committee accepted the suggestion.
When the news of the Rajah-Moonje pact was out, the Bengal and Assam Depressed Class leaders denounced Rajah for his swing to the System of Joint Electorates with reserved seats. and supported the demands put forth by Dr. Ambedkar. M.В. Mallik, MLA, President, Bengal Depressed Class Association; the President, UP. Adi-Hindu Association, the President All-Assam Depressed Class Association; the President, Adi-Dharma Mandal, Punjab; the President, Depressed Class Aid Society, Delhi: all denounced Rajah and endorsed the demands put forth by Dr. Ambedkar.
It was in April 1932 that the Nasik Satyagraha entered its third stage, and its leaders Bhaurao Gaikwad and Rankhambe were arrested. News about their arrest was wired to Dr. Ambedkar the same day, i.e. the April 14, 1932, The extreme opposition of Chintamani, Bakhale and Tambe, the Hindu members of the Franchise Committee, to the demand of the Depressed Classes for Separate Electorates had created bad blood between them and Dr. Ambedkar. They were not even on speaking terms with Dr. Ambedkar. Amid such tense atmosphere Dr. Ambedkar informed his secretary that he was sorry he could not deal with two situations at the same time He was of the opinion that the problem of political nights was more important than the problem of temple entry, and therefore it was unwise and dangerous to deviate from that work to which he had devoted himself heart and soul.
In a letter written from Simla, Dr. Ambedkar said that it was very imperative to see the British Premier in London before the latter gave his decision on the communal issue. He, therefore, asked his trusted lieutenants to see whether it was possible to collect money for the proposed voyage without disclosing the reasons. He had also written to the Aga Khan. who was then in London, seeking his advice in the matter and asking him about the possibility and possible date of the Premier’s decision on the communal issue. in another letter written during the same week, Dr. Ambedkar poured his disgust upon the Hindu Members of the Franchise Committee and said that he hated their frame of mind which allowed them to be self-centered and aggressive inside their own camp and cowardly and yielding outside. He wrote that he was utterly disgusted with their selfish and thoughtless attitude and that he would try to keep himself away from Hindu Society. He was working under mental and physical pressure. In addition, he was suffering from diarrhosa.
In April the Bengal Nama Shudra Association held its 14th Annual Session at the Albert Institute Hall, Calcutta, under the presidentship of Dr. Kalicharan Mandal. The session unanimously endorsed Dr. Ambedkar’s demands. Denounced the newspapers which unjustly criticized Dr. Ambedkar’s stand and declared that the Congress attitude to their problem was unsympathetic and impractical.
