Vol. 17, Part III · pages 396–400

107 DEPRESSED CLASSES NEGLECTED *On 12th March, 1946, Dr. B. R. Ambedkar made a speech at Madras. He outlined the efforts made by him for the betterment of the Depressed Classes rights from the time of the First-Round-Table-Conference till the present and accused the Congress of thwarting them. The Congress centred all its energies towards the neglect of the Depressed Classes. It approached the Muslims and devised a scheme to by-pass the Untouchables. Mr. Gandhi agreed to the 14 points of the Muslims on the condition that they would not support them. But thanks to the noble sense of humanity in the Muslims that they rejected this offer and thus did not agree to isolate the Untouchables. 1 zz * The date of the speech might be other one as the date of speech and the issue of the ‘Jai Bheem’ appears as the same—Editors. 1. : Jai Bheem, Madras, 12th March 1946. “Congress attempts to by-pass the Untouchables.”

108 THE SCHEDULED CASTES HAD BEEN LEFT WHERE THEY WERE…….. “Deep regret at what he described as the ‘Atom bomb dropped on the cause of the Scheduled Castes of India’ by the manner in which they had been treated by the British Cabinet Delegation, was expressed by Dr. B. R. Ambedkar at a meeting held here today under the auspices of the Scheduled Castes Federation. Mr. J. N. Mandal, Minister, Government of Bengal, presided. Dr. Ambedkar expressed surprise that only one seat in the interim Government was allotted to the Scheduled Castes of the country, who numbered 60 millions. Other communities, whose strength did not exceed three or four millions were also allotted one seat. Declaring that it was the Scheduled Castes people of Bihar and Bombay who helped Britishers to establish their rule in this country. Dr. Ambedkar added that only the Hindus and Muslims in India had reaped the fruits of British rule during the last 150 years. The Schduled Castes had been left where they were at the beginning. Wells remained closed to them as were temples, Dharmasalas, offices and Kacheries. The action of the Cabinet Mission, he added, had led them to the parting of ways. Dr. Ambedkar warned the audience that unless they had political power in the coming struggle the Scheduled Castes of India would be doomed. Other communities, who had tremendous power and were habituated to treat them as ‘pariah dogs,’ would crush them. Dr. Ambedkar made an appeal to the Scheduled Castes members in the Provincial Assemblies to think of their duties at this hour of trial, of the making or marching of their destiny. Mr. P. N. Rajbhoj, Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation also addressed the meeting.” 1 zz 1. : Jai Bheem : August 13, 1946. Date and place are not mentioned—Editors.

109 I HAVE LOYALTY TO OUR PEOPLE ALSO TO THIS COUNTRY “ The 55th birthday anniversary of Dr. Ambedkar, Saviour of the Scheduled Castes, was celebrated amidst joyful scenes of enthusiasm and rejoicing throughout Delhi. In view of the ban on public meetings in Delhi, on holding of public meetings to celebrate the function was given up this year but in accordance with the directive issued by the General Secretary of the All India Scheduled Castes Federation, Federation Flags were hoisted in all important localities including the residence of the Hon’ble Mr. J. N. Mandal, Law member of the Interim Government. Prayers were also offered for the long life of Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar and all the Scheduled Castes houses were illuminated at night. On the morning of the 14th April 1947, a purse of Rs. 1001, was presented to Baba Saheb on behalf of the Delhi Scheduled Castes Welfare Association (Karolbagh Branch). Another purse was also presented by certain individual members of the Scheduled Castes Federation. Replying to the felicitations offered to him Baba Saheb made the following observations :— “ If I would have been in Bombay today, I would have been mobbed by our people. I deliberately came down here on the 13th to escape from the large crowds because I want peace and tranquillity. Celebrations of birthdays from one point of view are not very happy. As you know man is mortal and he must pass away some day. Birthdays are reminders that there have been several deductions from one’s life. Of course, these deductions are not to be regretted by anybody because it is natural that man should spend his life. However, in a case where the life of a man is devoted to some public cause it does become a matter of some consideration.

370 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES Looking at the situation, I am, indeed, very happy to see that the Scheduled Castes all over India have now become so conscious of their disabilities and are now so well organised and so determined to achieve the fullness of their life that no man need despair of the future. As I told the Viceroy the other day, I do not mind telling it to you. I said to him ‘‘I would not have come to see you if you had not called me. I have no desire to run after the British.” The British at one time had taken the responsibility of looking after the welfare of the Scheduled Castes. I had thought that they would take special steps to see that responsibility is carried out. If the British are going, I don’t mind. But they are going without taking any special steps for securing such safeguards as we want in the constitution. It is for them to decide whether their action is right or not. It is not for me. Hundred times I had to persuade them that they ought to do something for the welfare of the Untouchables. I said, I am confident enough that the fate of the 60 million Untouchables will not be sealed simply because the British refuse to do their duty. I have no doubt in my mind that the 60 million Untouchables, without any support and without any power, would achieve what they want even if the Labour Government do not want to give them their due rights. We, certainly today, are not the same old people, led by others with no consciousness and no organization. Everybody in this country knows that we are now quite different people. We, therefore, must cultivate more strength and power. Both the Congress and the Muslims League want our support and are making terms for that. This would have never happened if we were not so well organised. And I wanted to tell you this that unfortunately our issue has been completely clouded by the announcement of the British to quit India by June 1948. I have no idea what is going to happen. I have made some calculations, but I do not want to announce at present. It may be that the British may have to stay here under circumstances quite different. But the decision of the British to quit has brought before the public some problems, which have, to some extent, obscured our demand for constitutional safeguards. I do hope that notwithstanding this clouding of the issue we shall succeed, if not wholly, to a very great extent in getting such political safeguards as are necessary for us.

371I HAVE................COUNTRY I am glad to tell you that in the Committee for the formulation of the Fundamental Rights we have succeeded to a very great extent. A Memorandum which I had presented to the Fundamental Rights Sub-Committee has been accepted by the Committee. There was one issue on which there has been certain difference of opinion ; that was with regard to the discrimination in administration and in the matter of public service. I have proposed certain measures in order to prevent that sort of discrimination and I believe that I will be successful. If that happens, so far as the Legislature or the Executive Committees are concerned, we shall have ample protection from the Constitution itself. The Minorities SubCommittee will meet on the 17th of April and will continue its work for some time. I am very sorry to say that two members of the Scheduled Castes who are in the Minorities Sub-Committee have sent in a Memorandum which is contrary to the general views of the Scheduled Castes. One has proposed joint electorates than the Separate Electorates. He has proposed Joint Electorate by the distributive system of voting which is nothing but political slavery (Again cries of shame: shame;). I proposed to fight with my back to the wall and I hope, I will be able to get the support from other minority communities in the Sub-Committee. I do not want to say at this stage what is going to happen; whether the Committee is supposed to decide the issue by its majority or whether it proposes to negotiate is a matter about which I have no definite mind. But, if they decide the issue by majority I shall certainly take very definite steps to dissociate myself entirely from the Constituent Assembly ( Loud cheers). We shall then decide what exactly to do. In this political matter as you know we are concerned with double loyalty, at least I am. I have loyalty to our people inhabiting this country and I am determined that all difficulties that they have faced so far shall be met by political safeguards. I have also loyalty to this country. I have no doubt that you have the same. All of us want this country to be free. So far as I am concerned my conduct has been guided by the consideration that we shall place no great difficulties in the way of this country achieving its freedom although we were ignored by the Cabinet Mission in the proposals