These public meetings which the Emergency Committee proposes to hold and the resolution to be moved, are but a provocative challenge to me and to my party. Those who have been carrying on negotiations with me cannot carry on their propaganda against me and at the same time hope for an amicable settlement as the result of the negotiations. It must be either negotiations or straight fight. Both cannot go together. If the other party insists on their right to carry on propaganda, they will have no right to blame me if my party also decided to carry on propaganda against them.
B.R. Ambedkar
Bombay, September 18. 1932.
“In the eve of the conference of the Hindu leaders, Dr. Ambedkar issued a statement to the press in which he said: So far as I am concerned. I am willing to consider everything, though I am not willing to allow the rights of the Depressed Classes to be curtailed in any way. It is no use holding a conference in a vacuum or discussing things without any specific data”. He frankly related this to a deputation of the Depressed Classes from Ahmedabad, and also in his interview with the Indian multi-millionaire, Seth Walchand Hirachand. He told them that Gandhi could have discussed his proposal with the British Premier; since he was not putting forth any proposal, he alone was to blame.
Visitors, leaders and friends began to call upon Dr. Ambedkar. One of such early visitors was Thakkar who had served with him on the State committee. He came to talk the matter over. Dr. Ambedkar to whom time was knowledge and a precious thing said that he was very busy studying an important criminal case and therefore asked Thakkar how much time he would require. Thakkar replied that he would require an hour or so. Dr. Ambedkar said that he would give five minutes. Thakkar asked for more. The interview ended with an algebraic brevity, and Dr. Ambedkar went in. Thakkar, however, saw Dr. Ambedkar again the next day. A furious campaign was launched against Dr. Ambedkar.”
On the eve of the Conference of the Hindu leaders i.e. on 19th September 1932, Dr. B.R. Ambedkar issued another statement to the press. Following is the full text of the statement Editors.
“I need hardly say that I was astounded to read the correspondence between Mahatma Gandhi, Sir Samuel Hoare and the Prime Minister, which was published recently in the papers, in which he has expressed his determination to starve himself unto death” till the British Government of its own accord or under pressure of public opinion revise their opinion and withdraw their scheme of communal representation for the Depressed Classes. The uneviable position in which I have been placed by the Mahatma’s vow of self-immolation can easily be imagined.
It passes my comprehension why Mr. Gandhi should stake his life on an issue arising out of the communal question which he, at the Round Table Conference, said was one of a comparatively small importance. Indeed to adopt the language of those of Mr. Gandhi’s way of thinking the communal question was only an appendix to the book of India’s constitution and not the main chapter. It would have been justifiable if Mr. Gandhi had resorted to this extreme step for obtaining independence for the country on which he was so insistent all through the RTC debates. It is also a painful surprise that Mr. Gandhi should single out Special Representation for the Depressed Classes in the Communal Award as an excuse for his self-immolation. Separate Electorates are granted not only to the Depressed Classes, but to Mohamedans and the Sikhs. Also Separate Electorates are granted to land-lords, labourers and traders. Mr. Gandhi had declared his opposition to the special Representation of every other class and creed except the Mohamedans and the Sikhs. All the same Mr. Gandhi now ellooses to let everybody else, except the Depressed Classes retain the Special Electorates given to them.
The fears expressed by Mr. Gandhi about the consequences of the arrangements for the representation of the Depressed Classes are in my opinion purely imaginary. If the nation is not going to be split up by Separate Electorates to the Mohamedans and the Sikhs, the Hindu Society cannot be said to be split up if the Depressed Classes are given Separate Electorates. His conscience is not aroused if the nation is split by the arrangements of Special Electorates for the classes and communities other than the Depressed Classes.
(To be continued)
Dr.Babasaheb Ambedkar Writings & Speeches, Vol. 17. Part 1 (p.142-144) 2003. Rs. 125. Publishers. Member-Secretary. Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar Source Material Publication Committee, Higher Education Dept., Maharashtra Govt., Order book from Manager, Govt. Central Book Depot, Near Charni Road Railway Station, Netaji Subhash Road, Bombay – 400 004.
