Vol. 17, Part III · pages 426–430

116 WE SHOULD ENSURE THAT INDIA IS NOT ENSLAVED AGAIN “ Tremendous mass enthusiasm marked a meeting of the Bombay Scheduled Castes Federation at Nare Park, Parel, on Wednesday evening, the 11th January 1950, when Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, the moving spirit behind the drafting of the Indian Union Constitution, was presented with a book-shaped gold casket containing a copy of the monumental document. The meeting, attended by over two lakhs* men, women and children, was a landmark in the history of the Scheduled Castes’ Federation. The serried ranks of humanity that overflowed from the Park to the main road was the biggest gathering ever seen. Large processions of Harijans, carrying blue party flags and vociferously shouting victory slogans, converged on the Park from many localities early in the after-noon. The crowd was conducted by volunteers and remarkable discipline was maintained. Enthusiasm reached fever pitch when Dr. Ambedkar climbed the dais to attend his first public reception in the city in five years and shouts of “Ambedkar Ki Jai” rented the air. About 50 garlands covered the Law Member who was later joined by his wife Dr. Savita Ambedkar. The assemblage gave a rousing ovation to her also. The large-seized casket was paid for by subscriptions raised by the Federation. Two thousand rupees, which were left over after meeting the cost of the casket, were also presented to Dr. Ambedkar by Mr. J. G. Bhatankar, the Federation’s Secretary. Speaking immediately after receiving the gift, Dr. Ambedkar referred extensively to the past. He said, “Because we had been fighting the Congress in all elections, Congressmen were so much against me that some of them openly said they would see any one in the Constituent Assembly but not me. Indeed, because our party’s strength here was not sufficient, I had to seek election to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal. *Janata, dated 14th January 1950.

398 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES “The fact that I not only entered the Assembly but was actually entrusted later with the unique honour of drafting the Constitution. I consider not so much a tribute to myself as to the party. We were called stooges of the British and Muslims ; but we had to bargain with the former because we were not free and were compelled to safeguard our own interests.” 1 “He further stated that he had entered the Constituent Assembly with the object of safeguarding the interests of the Scheduled Castes and not with the ambition of drafting the Constitution. However, through some circumstances the responsibility for drafting the Constitution fell on his shoulders, and he was proud that his name had been associated with the framers of the Constitution, because one got such a unique opportunity once in one’s lifetime.” 2 “Talking in a more personal way, Dr. Ambedkar declared, “Some people think that because I am in the capital I am losing touch with the Federation and that the ground is shifting from beneath my feet. But today’s gathering shows that I am on firmer ground than even before. The Law Member, who kept up his serious demeanour throughout the impressive ceremony, recalled the bitter past between himself and the Congress but made a powerful appeal to the Harijans not to isolate themselves from other political groups but seek their co-operation for the good of the community. “The political situation is not clear at the moment” he declared, “and it is too early to say with which party we will ally ourselves.” Speaking in a strain that sounded strange compared with pre-independence utterances. Dr. Ambedkar exhorted his community to think not merely of itself but also of the country as a whole. “India was enslaved by the Muslims and the British but today we are free and we should exert ourselves to ensure that history does not repeat itself,” he added. “Though we were at logger-heads for a long time with the Congress, the present Government have done something at least for the Scheduled Castes. In a democracy no minority can achieve 1. : Source material, Vol. I, Pp. 358-360. 2. : Keer, P. 418.

399WE SHOULD....................AGAIN much by itself. We are a minority, and will continue to be a minority, and, therefore, it is necessary to seek the co-operation of some parties.” Dr. Ambedkar then came to the subject of elections. “We are a poor Community and we do not have large sums to spend on elections. So, I suggest that every adult contribute four annas per month to swell the party’s election funds. We must start on this task at once so that we may have collected enough before the elections”. For hours after the meeting ended Harijans in Central and North Bombay, returning to their homes kept the streets lively with peaceful but noisy pro— Dr. Ambedkar demonstrations.”1 However, there were additional dimensions in the speech of Dr. B. R. Ambedkar, on the subject which were reported by ‘ the Bombay Chronicle’. The dimensions were : “ The Law Minister said that his election as the Chairman of the Constitution Drafting Committee was a unique honour not only to himself, but a recognition of the Federation as a political force to be reckoned with. In the past, they had to fight against formidable odds and there were many who dubbed him as a stooges of the British and Muslim League. Throughout the last 20 years, the Congress was at logger-heads with the Federation and they were determined to see that no representative of the Federation got a seat in the Constituent Assembly. He never dreamt that he would be charged with the responsibility of framing the country’s Constitution. Now the opponents have realised that the Federation was a political force which could not be slighted or ignored. Dr. Ambedkar said that, hitherto, the Federation had followed a narrow path, namely putting their own interests about those of the country, and he admitted he was partly responsible for it. Now that India has achieved independence, the time has come to change their attitude, and strive for the national good, while, of course, safeguarding their own interests, he observed. 1. : Source material, Vol. I, Pp. 360.

400 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES During the British regime, he added, the Federation followed its own policy, keeping aloof from other political parties. “We are after all a minority and a minority cannot be successful in the elections without the support of a more powerful political party”. He said that their organization, therefore, would have to seek the support of some other party during the next elections. Dr. Ambedkar made a fervent appeal to the audience to contribute to the election funds liberally.” 1 zz 1. : The Bombay Chronicle, dated 12th January 1950.

117 MAHARASHTRIANS ARE MORE SINCERE, MORE DUTY CONSCIOUS TO THE NATION Republic day was celebrated 1 with much fun and fare at the new Maharashtra Bhavan. Maharashtrian Institutions of New Delhi on 27th January 1950. Various programme were arranged on this occassion. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar was specially invited and honoured on this occasion Mr. Kakasaheb Gadgil welcomed Dr. Babasaheb and Mrs. Ambedkar. Replying to the address, He said, “The Maharashtrians were more sincere, more conscious of their duties to the nation and were ever willing to sacrifice for the cause of the nation. He was proud that two Maharashtrians were in the Central Cabinet and the Governor of the Reserve Bank, too, was a Maharashtrian. In politics, in learning and in the cause of sacrifice, Maharashtrians were far ahead,” he concluded.2 zz 1. : Janata, dated 4th February 1950. 2. : Keer,P. 419.