Vol. 17, Part II · pages 301–305

23 DEMAND FOR “POLITICAL INDEPENDENCE ” London, November 1 (Reuter) There is a possibility of the Scheduled Castes of India aligning themselves with the Muslim community if they do not receive separate representation in the new Indian Government, according to Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, leader of the Scheduled Castes, now in London. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar was commenting to Reuter to-day upon a report from Toronto that Mr. Ameen Tareen, an Indian student at the Toronto University and a former Lahore journalist, stating that Dr. Ambedkar had advised his people to embrace Islam if they failed to obtain satisfaction. “I have not given advice to that effect,” Dr. Ambedkar said. “But that situation may arise. Many of my people in India are seriously considering that question. We hope that the Congress and Mr. Gandhi will see light and agree to give the Untouchables political independence from the Hindus. It is a great pity that Mr. Gandhi had not been able to make the distinction. “Personally, I feel that if Mr. Gandhi and the Congress give them political independence, there will be greater unity, “Co-operation and goodwill between the Hindus and the Untouchables,” but if Mr. Gandhi and the Congress seek to bring the “Untouchables” under the political dominance of the Hindus and to make them political slaves of the Hindus, the ‘Untouchables’ would rebel and would endeavour to seek their salvation by joining some other community.” 1 zz 1: The Bombay Chronicle, dated 2nd November 1946.

24 CHURCHILL - AMBEDKAR TALKS Dr. B.R. Ambedkar met Mr. Churchill and apprised him of the miserable conditions of the Untouchables in India. The press report of the talk is as under : Editors. LONDON, November 4 : Dr. Ambedkar, the Scheduled Castes leader, said today, that he had expressed his views for separate representation of the Depressed Classes in the Provincial Government to Mr. Winston Churchill, leader of the British Conservative Party. The meeting, he said, took place at Mr. Churchill’s country home at Westerham, Kent, where he had lunch and spent the best part of the day with the war leader.’ I found Mr. Churchill very sympathetic, ‘he said.’ 1 zz 1: The Times of India, Wednesday, dated 6th November 1946, P. 5 Reprinted : Khairmode, Vol. 8, Pp. 139.

25 RESTORE THE SEPARATE ELECTORATES During his stay at London Dr. B. R. Ambedkar addressed a meeting of the Conservative Indian Committee in the House of Commons which was attended by some Labour and Liberal MP’s also on November 5th, 1946. Following is the report: Editors. “LONDON : November 6 (U.P.I.): Dr. B.R. Ambedkar addressed yesterday a meeting of the Conservative Indian Committee in the House of Commons which was attented by some Labour and Liberal M Ps also. The press was not allowed and the talk which lasted nearly an hour was more or less off the record. It is understood, however, that Dr. Ambedkar expressed his profound disappointment at the Cabinet Mission’s work. He explained to the members present, the memorandum which was presented by him to Mr. Churchill and Lord PethickLawarence which attempts to show that the Congress does not represent the Untouchables. He demanded the abrogation of the Poona Pact* signed by himself and Mahatma Gandhi and demanded the restoration of Separate Electorates as envisaged in Mr. Mac Donald’s Communal Award. Dr. Ambedkar has, however, little hopes of succeeding in his mission except in Mr. Churchill being returned to power. The Labour Members questioned him closely which indicated that the party in “power is in no mood of raking up the whole communal issue.” He was told, it is learnt, to adjust himself to the changed situation and try his luck in the Constituent Assembly.” 1 zz * See appendix VI. 1: Bombay Chronicle, dated 7th November 1946. Reprinted : Khairmode, Vol. 8 Pp. 140-141.

26 DR. AMBEDKAR FEELS BRITISH WILL DO JUSTICE London, November 7 (Reuter) The belief that the British Government, if the occasion arose, would not hesitate to rectify any wrongs done to the Scheduled Castes, was expressed to Fraser Wighton, Reuter’s Political Correspondent, in an interview tonight by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the Scheduled Castes Leader, who is flying back to India on Monday at the close of his mission to England. Dr. Ambedkar, who came to protest at what he considers injustice that the Scheduled Castes have not been permitted to nominate their own representative to the Indian Provisional Government has seen all principal British Political Leaders, including the Prime Minister, Mr. Clement Attlee. Dr. Ambedkar said that he was more than satisfied with the result of his visit to England. “I have found among all parties profound sympathy for the Scheduled Castes and their future,” he said. “This applies among all the parties and in all quarters”, declared Dr. Ambedkar adding that he considered his visit had the effect of acquainting everyone in England of the peril in which Untouchables stand at the present moment having regard to the institution of the Constituent Assembly and the position they occupy in it. I have no doubt that this question will not be forgotten or neglected by the various parties in Parliament whenever India comes up for discussion. That in itself is a great solace to the Untouchables, who all along were feeling that their case might go by the board.” Dr. Ambedkar added that he had met members of the Government and although it was natural that they should be hesitant to make any comments as to the future course of their action, he believed that if the occasion arose for their intervention, they would not hesitate to rectify any wrong done to the Untouchables.

282 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Dr. Ambedkar said he was quite surprised to find that some of Mr. Gandhi’s friends in London were critical of his attitude towards the Scheduled Castes. “In their opinion even if the Untouchables were Hindus, that in itself is not an objection to giving them separate electorates”, he said. Mr. Attlee’s knowledge of Indian situation impressed Dr. Ambedkar who thought that the Prime Minister was aware that the Scheduled Castes “needed to be looked after.” He also thought that “Mr. Churchill was very keen and desirous of seeing that the Scheduled Castes were protected* in any Constitution that might be framed.” 1 zz * See appendix - VII. 1: The Bombay Chronicle, dated 9th November 1946.