z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 471
EVIDENCE BEFORE SIMON COMMISSION 471
even amongst the backward classes. We are not concerned with the question of suitability; we are here to safeguard the interests of all the minorities.
Chairman: Certainly.
Sardar Mujumdar: It was from that point of view that I asked the question.
Chairman: Let me relieve you at once. India is full of minorities, and you have mentioned some of them; but this morning we are considering the body of people called the depressed classes.
Sardar Mujumdar: Very well, Sir.
- Syed Miran Muhammad Shah: You have just said that you want representation in proportion to what the Mahomedans get ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Do you want them because Mahomedans get them ? Do you see any justice in that ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I see justice in that, I do not quite accept the principle of representation of minorities according to population of the legislature as though it was a museum in which we have only to keep so many specimens of so many communities. A Legislative Council is more than a museum, it is a place where, for instance, social battles have to be fought, privileges have to be destroyed, and rights have to be won. Now, if that is the conception of a Legislative Council, I do not think it at all in the fitness of things to confine the minority to proportional representation according to population, that means you are condemning a minority to be perpetually a minority without the power necessary to influence the actions in the majority.
- Would you be satisfied if the franchise was reduced to local boards in the rural areas ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Well, I would really insist upon adult suffrage. The lower the franchise the better, on that principle I would accept any lowering, out I certainly would not say I would be content with that.
- Would you then extend adult suffrage to the aboriginal tribes and to the criminal and hill tribes ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes, I think so.
- You would?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Or would you like to exclude them and give them nomination and yourselves adult suffrage ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I will say one thing. With regard to the criminal tribes, it might not be a good thing to give them adult suffrage, because by occupation they are a people who have more the interest of their own particular community in their mind, and they are not very particular as regards the means whereby they earn their living; but I do not think there is any harm in giving aborigines the right to vote.
- They should be given the right to vote, or should their interests be