z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 485
EVIDENCE BEFORE SIMON COMMISSION 485
just now with regard to the higher castes is true, is there any good in the depressed class members, being on these boards so far as their sanitary improvement is concerned ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I think the depressed class people ought to be represented on every local authority.
- You told us just now that in the courts in this Presidency witnesses belonging to the depressed classes have no access. I want to be clear on that point. Do you mean to say that the members of the depressed class are not admitted into some of the courts ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- And I understand you to say that in a case the man did not dare go into the court, is that so ?
Dr. Ambedkar: The thing is the depressed class man is looked upon by the caste people as having a particular station in life, he exceeds that station in life when he enters the court, and if he exceeded that station in life they would begin to harass him. The man, if he exceeded the social limits, would subsequently suffer at the hands of the caste people. My protection in that particular case was only temporary protection and he knew it would cease as soon as the case was over.
- If you had not been there and if he attempted to go into the court, what would have happened to him ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I think the same thing would have happened to me when I tried to enter a temple in Bombay.
- Coming to medical relief, will you kindly enlighten us as to the kind of medical relief the depressed class men are getting ?
Dr. Ambedkar: They are not allowed entry into the dispensary, unless the case is a very very serious one; such as, for instance, the non-admission would bring the officer’s conduct to the notice of the higher authorities. Ordinarily the medicine is dispensed out
- Chairman: I suppose you are talking of dispensaries in the mofussil ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes, Government dispensaries.
- They are, of course, in the department of the Minister of Medical Administration ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- I imagine that the regulations of the Minister provide that these dispensaries are open to everybody who goes ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- But you say that in the mofussil in fact it does not work out like that ?
Dr. Ambedkar: No.
Dr. Solanki: The Hindu medical man who is orthodox always takes objection to examine a man belonging to the depressed classes. There have been instances in Gujarat where the men have actually died from the want of medical relief. I know of instances where doctors have actually