Vol. 17, Part II · pages 341–345

10 VERY NEBULOUS PLAN Dr. Ambedkar On Consultative Committee Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Leader of the Independent Labour Party has issued the following statement:— At a meeting of the Executive Council of the Independent Labour Party held on the 21st October, under the Presidentship of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the following resolution was passed:— The Executive Council of the Independent Labour Party confirms the statement issued on the situation arising out of the present war. The Executive Council of the Party has taken into consideration the declaration made by H. E., the Viceroy on the 27th October. In the opinion of the Council a better and a more satisfactory response with regards to the aspirations and demands of the people of India would have come from His Majesty’s Government if the Congress had tried to bring about a unity between the different communities and sections in this country. In view of the assurance given by H. E., the Viceroy that immediately after the close of the war His Majesty’s Government will enter into consultations with representatives of communities, parties and interests, in framing modification in the Constitution of India and in view of the fact that His Majesty’s Government have declared their adherence to Dominion Status as the goal of India and further in view of the fact that the development of the war may take such a turn that the question of defending India may become more important than the question of helping Great Britain the Executive Council feels that the present is not the proper occasion for withholding its co-operation from Great Britain. In the opinion of the Council, however, the proposal regarding the formation of a Consultative Committee is unsatisfactory. Apart from the question that the proposed Committee will have no powers of any sort either to take

317VERY NEBULOUS PLAN decisions of to give directions the Committee will be composed of a fluctuating body of people. The Council is of opinion that the panel system is the most objectionable feature of the proposal. Before, however, any final or considered view of the Party is expressed on the said proposal, it is necessary to have a detailed scheme with particular reference to the constitution, function, powers and scope of the proposed Committee.—A. P.” l zz 1. : The Bombay Chronicle, dated 24th October 1939.

11 WE CAN BE A NATION ONLY THROUGH SOCIAL AMALAGAMATION Discussing the Congress and Muslim League View-point with a repesentation of their paper on monday the 5th February 1940 night, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, Leader of the Independent Labour Party, said, “I do not agree with Mr. Gandhi and the Congress when they say that India is a nation. I do not agree either with the foreign relations committee of the Muslim League when they say that Hindus and Muslims could not be welded together into a nation. “My belief is” he continued “that we are not a nation. But my confident hope is that we can be a nation provided proper processes of social amalgamation are set forth.” 1 zz 1. : The Times of India, Tuesday, 6th February 1940 : Reprinted Khairmode, Vol, 9, P. 31

12 SUBHAS CHANDRA BOSE MEETS DR. B. R. AMBEDKAR. At the time Subhas Bose, who was dethroned from the Congress Presidentship, was growing restless. He was trying to rally the Indian forces against the British power that was engaged in a life-and-death struggle in Europe. He came to Bombay and saw Jinnah, Ambedkar and Savarkar on July 22,1940. Subhas Bose was deadly against the acceptance of the proposed Federation; and because Dr. Ambedkar was opposed to it he must have considered it a rallying point between them. After their discussion on the issue of Federation, Dr. Ambedkar asked Subhas Bose whether he would put up his candidates in the elections against the Congress. He replied in the negative. Dr. Ambedkar then asked Subhas Bose what the positive attitude of his party would be to the problem of Untouchables. Bose had no convincing reply and the interview ended.” 1 zz 1. : Keer, P. 332.

13 MEANING OF THE CONGRESS DECISION “Dr. Ambedkar on Mr. Gandhi’s objections To the Editor, ‘The Times of India’ Sir, Two views are prevalent in Bombay about Mr. Gandhi’s performance at the A. I. C. C. meeting held in Bombay. One is that the performance of Mr. Gandhi was the cleverest something beyond the ken of ordinary mortal, and that by his performance Mr. Gandhi has avoided the turmoils of Civil Disobedience. To me both these views appear most astounding. That the public should form its views on such vital matters in such a fascile manner is a sad commentary upon his thinking capacity, especially of the Hindu public. I cannot see how Mr. Gandhi has by his project avoided Civil Disobedience. It is true Mr. Gandhi is asking for liberty to preach against the war, to tell people that they should not take part in the war or help it’s furtherance either by supplying men or money. But what does this mean ? To my mind it means nothing else but Civil Disobediance of the Defence of India Act. How the Hindu public can interpret Mr. Gandhi’s project as not amounting to Civil Disobedience is beyond my comprehension. Very Baffling What is, however, most baffling in the whole Situation is the audacity of Mr. Gandhi to call upon the Viceroy arid the absolute certainty of the Viceroy giving him an interview. A man with much less intelligence than Mr. Gandhi realise that nothing can be more riduculous than to go to the Viceroy to ask his permission to break the Defence of India Act. It cannot be beyond the knowledge of Mr. Gandhi that he is asking something far in excess of what has been conceded to conscientious objectors in England or America. All that conscientious objector has been given is that he will not be forced to join the combatant service He has not been given exemption from non-combatant service nor has he been given any liberty to preach against the war while war is going on. It cannot be beyond Mr. Gandhi to appereciate that while all