z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 479
EVIDENCE BEFORE SIMON COMMISSION 479
A minority which is oppressed, or whose rights are denied or the majority, would be a minority that would be fit for consideration for political purposes.
- Wherever you have these minorities in other countries, there is provision made, there is sometimes a minister for the protection of minorities. Have you thought about that ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Supposing we gave you the protection—the protection might be given in any form, and if I may say so ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I am sorry to interrupt you—I do find that the new constitutions that have been framed after the peace for the various European countries composing the bulk of the Slavonic nations very largely embody this principle. I have devoted some special attention to this subject, if you will permit me to say so.
- Lord Burnham: And carried out ?
Dr. Ambedkar: And made part of the Constitution.
- And carried out in practice too?
Dr. Ambedkar: Carried out in practice ; and the point is this, that if a minority feels that the guarantee has not been fulfilled, it has the right of appeal to the League of Nations.
- I am not quarrelling with the principle ?
Dr. Ambedkar: And I may say I am not very particular about the form.
- If the details of the scheme which you have adumbrated were to be introduced into the constitution of ‘this country, would it not lead to a perpetual class war ?
Dr. Ambedkar: It might, but that would depend upon the attitude of the majority.
- Therefore you would not, as a sagacious statesman ?
Dr. Ambedkar: If you will permit me to say so, all these things, though I insist upon them, I admit to be provisions of a transitory character. I do contemplate and I do desire, the time when India shall be one ; and I believe that a time will come when, for instance, all these things will not be necessary ; but all that would depend upon the attitude of the majority towards the minority.
- Now, you mentioned a case that you conducted on behalf of a member of the depressed class, who, from fear of social ostracism, stood outside near the window. What district was it ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Khandesh district.
- Ordinary Magistrate’s Court ?
Dr. Ambedkar: The stipendiary Magistrate’s Court.
- What caste was the Magistrate ?
Dr. Ambedkar: A Hindu.
- He did not object to the accused coming into the court ?