z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-07.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 535
IN SUB-COMMITTEE NO. III 535
Sir P. C. Mitter: I should like to join, Sir, in those discussions.
Dr. Ambedkar: We have heard just now these proposals and percentages being disposed of, but really it strikes me that if you add up all these they not only go over 100 per cent but they practically take no notice of many other communities that are existing in the Punjab and Bengal and in other places. If these communities, the Sikhs, the Muhammadans, the Hindus are going to appropriate 49 and 20 and so on, what is left for the other people? Are they to be taken into account or not? That is a very serious question, Mr. Prime Minister.
Lt. Col. Gidney: May I just raise my humble voice—it is a very small voice. I know—in this conflict? I support what Dr. Ambedkar has just said. Surely you are not going to take the political rupee and give 15 annas and 9 pies to the major communities, leaving 3 pies to be scrambled for by the other minorities. On behalf of the smaller communities I maintain we should have some say in this distribution.
Chairman: That is just the point. I think that we had better discuss this matter with a smaller body and a little but more informally.
Mr. Foot: And no notes taken ?
Chairman: And I shall remain in the Chair, you being agreeable, and see what can be done to straighten out the situation that has been opened up by the very hopeful suggestion made by Sir Muhammad Shafi.
Sixth Sitting— 16th January 1931
† Chairman: “The inclusion in the Constitution of declaration of fundamental rights safeguarding the cultural and religious life of the various communities and securing to every individual, without distinction of race,” and so on, “the free exercise,” and so on.
Raja Narendra Nath: I propose we say “the free and equal exercise”.
Chairman: of his or her economic, social and civil rights”.
Raja Narendra Nath: I do not think we want the “his or her”. Cannot we say “the free and equal exercise of economic, social and civil rights by citizens” ? I do not insist on it.
Chairman : “equal” is of substance, but I do not think the other matters very much.
Raja Narendra Nath : I suggest we should say “free and equal exercise”.
Chairman: As a matter of fact, that is a question from Dr. Ambedkar.
Raja Narendra Nath: The word “equal” was used in Dr. Ambedkar’s speech.
Sir M. Shaft: I think “free” covers it.
Dr. Shafa’at Ahmad Khan: I think it should remain as it is.
Chairman: It says “and securing to every individual......the free
† Proceedings of the Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities), pp, 129-31.