During his speech Sir Akbar Hydari, while replying to Dr. Ambedkar, said: “Speeches like those of Dr. Ambedkar, if I may say so, do not sufficiently appreciate the realities of the situation”. Upon this Dr. Ambedkar answered back: “I have never been guilty of not appreciating realities’’.
While discussing the formation of the Federal Constitution. nobody referred to the time-limit for initiation of Federation. It was Dr. Ambedkar who lifted the veil by saying: “I do not know that there would be any British Indian who would like to put the establishment of responsible Government in cold storage until the princes make up their minds to enter into the Federal Government of India.’’
During these discussions in the Federal Structure Committee there were flashes, exchanges of views, reviews of the constitutional history of the world and ideas about Free India. Dr. Ambedkar’s speeches on those topics were full of information, interest and valuable suggestions. The politicians, the barrister, the constitutionalist, the professor, the defender of the downtrodden millions and the friend of the state’s people profoundly impressed the Conference with different facets of erudition.
By now the third week of September 1931 was over. The Minorities Committee was to commence its work on September 28. On the eve of this session, Gandhi’s son, Devdas Gandhi, saw Dr. Ambedkar at his residence, and an interview was fixed between Gandhi and Dr. Ambedkar at the residence of Sarojini Naidu between 9 and 12 p.m. Accordingly, Dr. Ambedkar saw Gandhi and placed his cards on the table. But Gandhi did not open his mind and said that he would consent to Dr. Ambedkar’s demands if others agreed.
The Minorities Committee met for the first time on September 28, 1931. The Premier admitted that the problem of minorities in India had baffled them all. He observed that some of the delegates had suggested that Government should arbitrate as the delegates themselves had failed to agree, but he opined that the arbitration would probably be unacceptable to some of them. Upon this the Aga Khan said that Mahatma Gandhi was going to see the Muslim delegates that night and so he asked for an adjournment. Seconding the Aga Khan, Malaviya- wished that the general discussion might stand over.
Dr. Ambedkar was in the know of the secret talk that were going on between the Muslim leaders and Gandhi regarding the Hindu-Muslim agreement. So, referring to the motion for adjournment, he said: “As far as the Depressed Classes are concerned, we have already presented our case to the Minorities Sub-Committee last time. The only thing which remains for me to do is to put before this Committee a short statement suggesting the quantum of representation which we want in different Legislatures”.
He himself had heard with great pleasure, Dr. Ambedkar continued, that further negotiations were going to take place for the settlement of the communal issue. He further observed: “But | would like to make this matter plain at the start. Those who are negotiating ought to understand that they are not plenipotentiaries at all; that whatever may be the representative character of Mr. Gandhi or the Congress people, they certainly are not able to bind us — certainly not. | say that most emphatically in this meeting”. And concluding his speech with a warning, he said: ” want to say most emphatically that whoever claims weightage and whoever is willing to give that weightage he must not give it — he cannot give — out of my share”. Upon this the Chairman, MacDonald said: “Dr. Ambedkar’s position has been made absolutely clear, in his usual splendid way. He has left no doubt at all about it”. (Proceedings of Federal Structure Committee & Minorities Commitee, p. 527).
On October 1, Mahatma Gandhi again asked for a week’s adjournment. He told the Committee that he was being closeted with Muslim leaders of various groups. At this Dr. Ambedkar got up and said that he did not wish to create any difficulty in arriving at such a settlement but wanted to know whether the Depressed Classes would be represented on that formal Committee. Gandhi replied in the affirmative. Dr. Ambedkar thanked Gandhi for this, and turning to the delegates, explained: “Mahatma Gandhi told us on the first day that he spoke in the Federal Structure Committee that as a representative of the Indian National Congress he was not prepared fo give political recognition to any community other than the Muslims and the Sikhs. He was not prepared to recognize the Anglo-Indians, the Depressed Classes and the Indian Christians.
(To be continued)
Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings & Speeches, Vol. 17, Part – 1 (p.112- 114) 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. Man Tralaya, Bombay – 400 021.
