z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 470
470 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
any conside ration to the project, or the feelings of Mahomedans, non-Brahmins, or depressed classes ?
Dr. Ambedkar : No, not at all.
- Do the minor communities stand any chance of getting through any legislation in the Bombay Legislative Council, or get any chance to move it?
Dr. Ambedkar : Their chances would be almost nil.
- Sardar Mujumdar: Is it not a fact that different kinds of castes among the depressed classes are known as the depressed classes ; that is to say, there are different kinds of castes even among the depressed classes ?
Dr. Ambedkar : Yes, of course.
- Can you give me approximately the number of those castes ?
Dr. Ambedkar : I think you will find them in the Census, the different castes enumerated as untouchables.
- Can you give me any idea of the number of different castes ?
Dr. Ambedkar: About a dozen or so. The Census gives it.
- How many castes are included in the depressed classes in Bombay ?
Dr. Ambedkar : Almost all the castes.
- Then the members of the different castes are members of your organisation ?
Dr. Ambedkar : Quite ; it is a general body inclusive of all the depressed classes.
- So that among the depressed classes are included ail those ?
Dr. Ambedkar : Yes.
- Have you taken into consideration the claims of the Bhils and Wadias and other persons ?
Dr. Ambedkar : No.
- What do you say about the protection of those minorities ?
Dr. Ambedkar : I think that they also should be allowed some protection by representation.
- Do you not think that even among the backward classes there are certain communities, who are in a minority ?
Dr. Ambedkar : Yes.
106A. Then has the present constitution any provision to protect their interest ?
Chairman: Are these castes to which you refer refused admission to the Hindu temples ?
Sardar Mujumdar: No, they are allowed to go into them.
Chairman: This morning we are really considering the case of untouchables, and persons who are quite outside the Hindu temple scheme. I do not think we can go into the question of the backward classes, who would be admitted to the Hindu temples.
Sardar Mujumdar: What I submit is that there are various minorities