z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 476
476 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
that there should be no distinction as to drinking pots in their schools. This protest meeting was a meeting held under the presidency of an important Hindu leader of Bombay to protest against that kind of uniform arrangement being made, as being against the Hindu religion.
- Mr. Premchand: Do you know the depressed classes are employed in the weaving departments of the Ahmedabad mills ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I did not know that.
- I can tell you they are.
Dr. Ambedkar: There again I should like to say one thing, probably they are employed exclusively. I can quite conceive of a situation where, for instance, so many looms are exclusively handed over to the depressed classes. Today there is a proposal also in certain mills that the depressed classes should take charge of the whole of the weaving department, that the millowners should hand it over to them, but you cannot have part depressed classes and part caste Hindus.
- Chairman: The difficulty is the mixture ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Sir Hari Singh Gour: What is the view of your Institute in regard to the general scheme of constitutional reform ? Have you formulated any views at all on the subject ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I may tell you this. The depressed classes as such, of course, are not very much interested in constitutional questions ; they are more interested in obtaining the guarantees and protection they require, under whatever form of Government that may come to be. Therefore, I do not think that the depressed classes as such have any definite views as to the form of Provincial Government or the form of the Central Government; but, of course, I have my own individual views as a member of the depressed classes, without these being the views of the depressed classes themselves. It is on that account that nothing is said about the constitution in my memorandum.
- I am aware of that, and that is why I asked you that question. What are your personal views ?
Dr. Ambedkar: So far as the Provincial Government is concerned, I am in favour of Provincial autonomy.
- Qualified or unqualified ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I think there might be some safeguards with regard to the transfer of law and order. It is not that I object to the transfer of law and order; I am in favour of the transfer; but still I should like some safeguard. I am not certain today what it shoud be, but there might be with advantage some safeguard in that respect Barring that, I am in favour (speaking personally) of full Provincial autonomy.
- What about the Central Government ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I think we might start with dyarchy there.
- As regards adult suffrage, I suppose you are in favour of adult male and female suffrage ?