EVIDENCE BEFORE THE SOUTHBOROUGH COMMITTEE 257
theological basis which cuts the untouchables both ways : in the minds of the lower orders it creates a preference for the higher orders while it creates a contempt for the lower orders in the minds of the higher orders. Thus the ascending scale of preference and the descending scale of hatred and contempt beggars the untouchables both ways. Without giving a single vote to the untouchables the touchables are sure to make a large draft on the already meagre voting strength of the untouchables.
- So situated, the untouchables with the largest interests at stake will be the greatest sufferers in a general territorial electorate. To give them an opening, special provision shall have to be made for their adequate representation. But before a scheme can be outlined it is necessary to see how much is the untouchable population in the Bombay Presidency. The Census Report for the Bombay Presidency for the year 1911 gives the following figures for castes which “cause pollution” :
Bhungis . . . . . . . . 93,691
Chamars
Mochis . . . . . . . . 306,478
Machigars
Sochis
Mhars . . . . . . . . 1,470,992
Holiyas
Dheds
Mangs . . . . . . . . 274,037
Madigs
Total . . 2,145,193
To this must be added the . .
Dhors amounting to . . . . . . 13,506
Total Untouchables . . 2,158,699
The following figures give the distribution of the untouchables by districts :
District Total population
1911
Total Hindu population
Total untouchable Population
Percentage of untouchables to the total population
Percentage of untouchables to the Hindu population
1 2 3 4 5 6
British Districts (exclu- 19,628,477 14,920,267 1,627,980 8 10.9 ding Aden).
- Bombay City . . 979,445 664,042 89,052 9 11.6
Northern Division . . 3,685,383 3,117,263 245,050 6.6 7.8
Ahmedabad . . 827,809 693,155 78,869 10 11.4
Broach . . 306,717 192,935 22,390 7 11.6