Vol. 10 · pages 466–470

1 *Note by Sir S. Cripps L/P & J/10/4 :ff 51-2 INTERVIEW WITH DR. AMBEDKAR AND MR. RAJAH, REPRESENTING THE DEPRESSED CLASSES 30th March 1942 After telling me about the conditions of the Depressed Classes, particularly in Madras and Bombay, they then went on to point out that under the system of election they would have a very small representation only in the constituent assembly, as most of their so-called representatives would be Congressmen, and that their position would therefore be very weak. They summed up the demands that they would make to the constituent assembly and then asked me whether we considered that they came within the racial and religious minorities, to which I answered yes, and what sort of provisions were likely to be made in the Treaty for their protection. I stated that these would probably be along the lines of the League of Nations minority treaties, and if already there were special provisions in the constitution these would probably be repeated in the Treaty, and there would be some obligation to refer the matter to some outside authority in cases of dispute, the Government of the Indian Union undertaking to abide by the decision so given, and that if they did not do so it would constitute a breach of Treaty, whereupon the British Government could take such steps as it considered wise in the particular circumstances. I stated that though this form of protection might no doubt seem to them inadequate, once granted the idea of self-government and self-determination for India, there was no other possible way by which we could intervene to protect any minority in India. *The Transfer of Power, Nicholas Mansergh, Editor-in-Chief; published by His Majesty’s Stationery Office, London, 1970; Vol. I, No. 442, pp. 552-53.

446 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES So far as the interim period was concerned, I pointed out that the probabilities were that some representative of the Depressed Classes would be asked to serve on the Executive Council at the Centre, and that one of the first tasks of that Council would no doubt be to make some temporary arrangements as regards the carrying on of the Provincial Governments. Mr. Ambedkar expressed the view that they would demand to be treated as one of the major elements and to be taken into consultation by the Viceroy in the formation of the new Executive. I stated that this was not a matter for me; the Viceroy would exercise his own judgement as to whom he should consult in this matter. Naturally they were not very happy about the whole situation, but I did not gather that they would oppose the scheme, since there was no other alternative under which they could get any greater measure of protection. zz

2 * Dr. Ambedkar and Mr. Rajah to Sir S. Cripps@ Cmd. 6350 1 April 1942 We told you when we met you on the 30th March† that the proposals of His Majesty’s Government relating to Constitutional development of India will not be acceptable to the Depresed Classes for the reasons which we placed before you at the interview. Since then We have had consultations with many of the Depressed Classes’ representatives in the various Provincial and Central Legislatures and all of them have unanimously endorsed the view we placed before you regarding the proposals. We are all of us absolutely convinced that the proposals are calculated to do the greatest harm to the Depressed Classes and are sure to place them under an unmitigated system of Hindu rule. Any such result which takes us back to the black days of the ancient past will never be tolerated by us, and we are all determined to resist any such catastrophe befalling our people with all the means at our command. We request you to convey to His Majesty’s Government our deepest anxiety regarding the future of the Depressed Classes and to impress upon them that we must look upon it as breach of faith if His Mejesty’s Government should decide to force upon the Depressed Classes a Constitution to which they have not given their free and voluntary * The Transfer of Power, Vol I, No. 487, p. 603. @ The text of this letter was transmitted by Lord Linlithgow to Mr. Amery in telegram 207-S.C. of 18 April. MSS. EUR. F. 125/22. †No. 442.

448 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES consent and which does not contain within itself all the provisions that are necessary for safeguarding their interests. In the end we want to thank you for assuming us that you called us in our representative capacity and that His Majesty’s Government did not regard the Depressed Classes as a minor party—points upon which some doubt had arisen in our mind and about which we asked you for a correct definition of our position. zz

3 * Sir R. Lumley (Bombay) to the Marquess of Linlithgow (Extract) MSS. EUR. F. 125/56 CONFIDENTIAL GOVT. HOUSE, BOMBAY, 24 April 1942 Report No. 104 1. Reactions to the result of Sir Stafford Cripps’ Mission. As is always the case here, it is not easy to assess precisely the public reactions to the breakdown of the negotiations conducted by Sir Stafford Cripps. I am glad to say, however, that I do not notice any deterioration or any bitterness, with the exception which I shall mention later. In fact, I am inclined to think that, as I hoped would be the case, the proposals, though they have failed, have produced a nett gain, particularly in those quarters which were formerly our most persistent opponents. From an informant whom I have usually found reliable, I learn that a very much better feeling exists amongst those who professed to have doubts about our ultimate intentions. The Draft Declaration has satisfied a great many of them on that point. I also hear that local informed Congress opinion was quite prepared to accept the provision of non-accession, and considered it to be the only method so far put forward, with any prospects of success, for obtaining Muslim agreement to discussions about a future constitution. This view is said to find a good deal of support amongst local Congress people, although it has not been declared openly, and all nationalist newspapers condemn the proposals mainly on the ground that they would vivisect India. There have been no public declarations by Muslims here, but most Muslim newspapers appear to be well satisfied with the result of the *The Transfer of Power, Vol. I, No. 684, pp. 846-47.