Vol. 17, Part I · pages 176–180

151ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY Hirachand Walchand, Sir Setalwad, Sir Madgaonkar, Sir Purushottamdas, Shri Deodhar, Mr. Natrajan, Rao Bahadur Vaidya, Dr. Deshmukh, Dalvi, Subhedar, Seth Birla, Mr. Karandikar, Dr. Savarkar, Shivatarkar, P Balu, Nikalje, Kamaia Nehru, Perani Captain, Moshon Captain, Sau. Awantikabai Gokhale, Mrs. Annapurnabai Deshmukh, Ratanben Mehta, Miss Natrajan. In order to save the life of Mahatma Gandhi, Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, the President of the meeting suggested that a solution acceptable to both the sides should be found out. On the request of Pandit Malviya, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar rose to speak. He stated his views in a candid manner. He said, “Looking at the objective of this Conference, I do not feel the need of calling such a Conference. In order to oppose our demands, Mahatma Gandhi has started fast unto death. It is natural that everybody would like to save the valuable life of Mahatma Gandhi. But Gandhiji should have put some concrete alternative proposal before staking his life. Having considered the present situation, I feel that without any clear alternative proposal from Gandhiji, all efforts towards negotiations would be in vain. And to be frank, there is nothing left to be decided. Unless we know what really is in the mind of Gandhiji, all the repeatative deliberations of this Conference are not going to yield any result. To whatever length this Conference may deliberate I am not in a position to find any solution before I know what really is in the mind of Gandhiji and I tell you bluntly that I am not at all bound to proposals coming from the convenors of this conference or any of the leaders, I shall consider the opinion only of Mahatma Gandhi. Unless I know his proposal how can I give my opinion ? Bring his proposal first and then I shall think over it. And I make it clear in the beginning itself that any proposal from Gandhiji should be brought by the representatives of the caste Hindus from among you and that I shall not accept any proposal brought forward by an Untouchable leader on behalf of Gandhiji. I shall not sacrifice the rightful demands of my people just in order to save the life of Mahatma Gandhi.” 1 Here, this Conference adjourned for the day. 1 : Janata, dated 24th September 1932.

152 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES “On Monday, September 20, 1932 at 12 O’clock noon Mahatma Gandhi started his fast unto death. A committee was formed to have negotiations in the matter. The committee consisted of Sir Tejbahadur Sapru, Bar. Jaikar. Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya, Mathuradas Wasanji as representatives of the high Caste Hindus. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was invited for the meeting. In the Conference Sir Chunnilal put forward the following views on behalf of Mahatma Gandhi before the Committee members. They were : 1. Mahatma Gandhi opposed to the decision of awarding Separate Electorates for the Untouchables. 2. He is not fully agreeable to the Joint Electorates as well as for the reserved seats. However, he would not object if the All Hindu Conference at Mumbai would take a specifice decision for the reserved seats but it would not mean that he necessarily agrees with it. If at all any fact is agreed upon he may probably give his consent. Dr. Ambedkar rose to speak after listening the proposals of Mahatma Gandhi. His speech was really very forceful and touching to the heart. He said, “Today in the negotiations in this difficult situation, I am in more strange position than all others. Unfortunately, in these peaceful negotiations I appear to be acting as villain for the protection of just demands of my people. I am willing to suffer to any extent in order to get fulfilled the just demands of my people. I tell you I shall not deter from my pious duty, and betray the just and legitimate interests of my people even if you hang me on the nearest lamp-post in the street. The question faced today is not to be solved by succumbing to emotions, but by constitutional means as it involves the countless brethren who

153ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY have been suffering in the slavery for ages. Adherence only to conscience will not be of any help here. Looking at the nature of the proposal of Mahatma Gandhi, it will take some more time to think. However this Conference, through a resolution should convey to Mahatma Gandhi to postpone his fast for 10-12 days. But the President Pandit Madan Mohan Malviya stated that it would not be possible in any circumstances. Consequent upon this Dr. Ambedkar did not agree to give up the Communal Award.” 1 “The Conference then adjourned till two in the afternoon, next day, the 21st September. But immediately the leading members of the Conference went to Birla House and there Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru evolved a scheme of Primary and Secondary elections for the reserved seats. According to it the Depressed Classes themselves were to select for every seat a panel of not less than three candidates and then out of those three chosen candidates one was to be selected by the Joint Electorate of the Caste Hindus and the Depressed Classes.” 2 “After a lengthy discussion, Dr. Ambedkar said that there could be a settlement provided the additional concessions in regard to the Award were given to make good the loss which would be caused due to giving up the Award. The representatives of the Congress assured that they would think over the proposal. Pandit Malviya suggested to form a small committee in this regard. Accordingly the Committee consisting of Tej Bahadur Sapru, Barister Jaikar, Pandit Malviya, Mathuradas Wasanji and Dr. Ambedkar was formed and these names were ‘ intimated to the Conference. Accordingly Dr. Ambedkar prepared the charter of demands and put up before the Committee at 10 p.m. on 20th September 1932 in Birla Bhavan. The text of the same is as follows.” 3 1 : Janata, dated 1st October 1932. 2 : Keer, P. 209. 3 : Janata, dated 1st October 1932.

154 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES The Charter of demands made on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s fast “Part One :—Representation in the Legislature. (A) The Depressed Classes shall have the following number of seats in the provincial Legislatures :— As per award Madras .............. 30 out of 215 18 Bombay .............. 16 out of 200 10 Bengal .............. 50 out of 250 10 Punjab .............. 10 out of 175 9 U. P. .............. 40 out of 228 12 Behar & Orissa .............. 20 out of 175 7 C. P &Berar .............. 20 out of 112 10 Assam .............. 11 out of 108 4 (B) The method of election to those seats shall be by Joint Electorates and Reserved seats, provided that for the first ten years in 18 single constituencies in Madras, in 10 single Constituencies in Bombay, Central Proviences and Bengal, in 4 single Constituencies in Assam, in 7 single constituencies in Behar and Orissa, in 5 single constituencies in Punjab and in 12 single constituencies in U. P. there shall be held before the General Election a Primary Election of the voters of the Depressed Classes for electing 2 persons to constitute a panel who thereafter shall contest on behalf of the Depressed Classes in the Joint Electorate. After Ten years (C) After the first 10 years the system of Primary Election shall cease to be in operation and all seats without exception shall continue to be filled by direct election on the system of Joint Electorates and Reserved Seats. (D) The right of the Depressed Classes to Special Representation through Joint Electorates and Reserved Seats shall be continued to them for a further period of 15 years. After the said period the matter shall be settled on the basis of referendum to the voters of the Depressed Classes.

155ROLE OF ......................... INDIAN DEMOCRACY (E) The right of the Depressed Classes to Special Representation in both Houses of the Central Legislature shall be recognised on a population ratio on the same terms and in the same manner as is provided for in the case of the Provincial Legislatures. (F) There shall be Adult Suffrage at least for the Depressed Classes. The franchise of the Depressed Classes shall be the same for the Provincial and the Central Legislatures. Part Two : Local Boards 1. The Depressed Classes shall be allowed representation in all the Provinces in all Municipalities, Local Boards, District and Taluka, Village Unions, School Boards of Punchayats and any Local Body now existing or to be constituted in the future on the population basis. 2. In all Public Services, Central and Local, the Depressed Classes shall be guaranteed appointments according to their population ratio as a minimum subject to qualifications as may be laid down for the same. Provision shall be made for reaching the quota by relaxing the statutory rules that may be in existence in matters other than educational qualifications. 3. In every province out of the Educational Grant a sum equivalent to the population ratio of the Depressed Classes in that province shall be ear-marked as a minimum for providing educational facilities to the Depressed Classes. 4. There shall be a provision in the Constitution allowing the Depressed Classes the right to Appeal to the Governor and the Viceroy for any neglect of their interest in the matter of education, sanitation, recruitment in Public Services, etc., on the same terms and in a manner provided in the Constitution of Canada, Section 93.” 1 “Sir Tej Bahadur Sapru evolved a Supreme of Primary and Secondary electors for the reserved seats. Thereupon Dr. Ambedkar said that he would consult his colleagues and come back within two hours with his proposal—Dr. Ambedkar returned at night and told them that he would accept the proposal, but demanded a much larger number of seats than the British Premier’s Award had given them.” 1 : Janata, dated 24th September 1932.