z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 475
EVIDENCE BEFORE SIMON COMMISSION 475
one the labourers.
- Is not it true that people who are not politically minded or trained are frequently led astray by professional leaders ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I do not know. I have never been a professional leader, so I cannot say.
- Would not the extension of the franchise to the large majority of the uneducated section of society be fraught with danger and render it liable to abuse ?
Dr. Ambedkar: No, I do not think so.
- Can you tell me why it is not possible to admit members of the depressed classes to our present schools and colleges without the necessity for a charge on the revenue of the Province ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Because they are hopelessly neglected under the present system.
- Why is not. it possible to admit members of the depressed classes to our present schools and colleges without the necessity for a charge on the revenues of the Province ?
Dr. Ambedkar: You should ask those who refuse what their reason for resfusal is.
- Refusal of what ?
Dr. Ambedkar: To admit them.
- To the colleges and schools ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Do you know the Bombay Municipality has passed a rule now ?
Dr. Ambedkar: And you know also of the protest meeting which was held in Bombay.
- There may have been a protest by one section, but the Municipality has removed all those restrictions ?
Dr. Ambedkar:. It remains to be seen how far they will stick to it at the next election.
- But they have done it, you know ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Chairman: Might we know what is the protest meeting to which he refers ?
Dr. Ambedkar: The position is this. Hitherto the Bombay Municipality has had separate schools for the depressed classes in the City of Bombay. Now, under the scheme of compulsory primary education, the Bombay Municipality is compelled to limit the number of schools and bring together the scattered children of the depressed classes into the schools of the caste Hindus as a measure of economy. Naturally, some provision has to be made for water and other amenities for the children who attend. The question arose whether there should be a distinction in the drinking arrangements, whether the untouchables should have separate pots for drinking from the caste Hindus. The Municipality passed a resolution saying “We cannot recognise untouchability in our own schools,” and they issued a circular