z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 477
EVIDENCE BEFORE SIMON COMMISSION 477
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Do you think that is a practical proposition ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Very practical.
- Do you think the masses have attained any degree of political consciousness, so as to be able to use that political suffrage with any advantage to their own community ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Speaking only on behalf of the depressed classes. I emphatically maintain that the depressed classes will exercise their vote in a most intelligent manner, speaking for the Bombay Presidency. Having regard to the fact that the canker of untouchability is before their minds every minute of their lives, and having regard to their being alive to the fact that political power is the only solvent of this difficultly, I emphatically maintain that the depressed class voter would be an intelligent voter.
- Do not you think that, following the example of other countries, those who pay no taxes, having a political existence and possessing political power, will tax those who are already oppressed with heavy taxes ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I think that should be so. I do not see anything wrong in it.
- You see no wrong in the exploitation of the tax paying community ? Is this your own opinion or the opinion of the Institute which you represent ?
Dr. Ambedkar: My own opinion. The Institute has said nothing about it here.
- Do you think you reflect the general opinion of your Institute in conveying this view to the Commission ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I think that would be the view of all poor communities.
- Sir Hari Singh Gour: In answer to the Chairman, you said the depressed classes must be regarded as a distinct community, a community distinct from the Hindu community. Do you apply that only for electoral purposes, or for all purposes ?
Dr. Ambedkar: They are distinct for all purposes, as a matter of fact
- Would you class the depressed classes as real Hindus ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I do not care about the nomenclature. It does not matter whether I call myself a Hindu or a non-Hindu, as long as I am outside the pale of the Hindu community.
- It makes all the difference in the world. If you were ……………. outside the pale of Hinduism you would not be subject to Hindu law. You could not, for instance, contract a marriage under the Act 30 of 1923, which has completely abolished all castes so far as the marriage law is concerned between a Hindu and a Mahar, touchable and untouchable. Now, if you go out of that community, out of that social system, and call yourself a nonHindu, you will be outside the pale of Hindu law to that extent ?
Dr. Ambedkar: It might be.