z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-06.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 487
EVIDENCE BEFORE SIMON COMMISSION 487
Dr. Ambedkar: Find that there are so many objections raised.
- You are a member of the Local Legislative Council ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- What is your experience as regards the attitude of the higher caste members of the local Council towards your community ?
Dr. Ambedkar: One cannot say it is favourable to the depressed classes.
- What is the attitude of the Government towards the members of your community in your Provinces ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Very apathetic.
- I suppose you have got honorary bench magistrates’ courts in this Presidency. Are there any members of the depressed classes on these boards ?
Dr. Ambedkar: There are none and we are trying to get some on the bench of magistrates, but without effect. Perhaps it might be interesting to the Conference if I read in this connection a letter written by the Collector of the Khandesh district to a member of the depressed classes when he applied for an appointment on the bench. This letter also gives the reasons why he should not be appointed to the place, and it reads thus :
“The Collector has every sympathy with the aspirations of the depressed classes and is glad to recognise and appreciate Mr. Medhe’s good work in the various fields of public activities ; but in his opinion time has not yet come when a member of the depressed classes can be given a seat on the bench of magistrates, and, until the Government makes some pronouncement favourable to the aspiration of the depressed classes in this Presidency he must regretfully express his inability to recommend such an appointment” This letter is dated 25th September 1928.
- I am sure you will agree with me that appointments to these bodies have nothing to do with the progress of the communities ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Nothing.
- The sole consideration should be whether the individual candidate can discharge his duties with a sense of responsibility ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- Lord Burnham: I understood you to say that of all the methods to protect the interests of the depressed classes, you preferred the universal suffrage ?
Dr. Ambedkar: I would rather say adequate representation in the Legislative Council.
- I understand you to say you were in favour of universal suffrage ?
Dr. Ambedkar: Yes.
- If you have not got that you go in for separate electorates ? Supposing you cannot get either, are you still in favour of the principle of nomination ?
Dr. Ambedkar: No. I would insist on our representative being elected.