z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-07.indd MK SJ+YS 21-9-2013/YS-8-11-2013 546
546 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
APPENDIX I
A SCHEME OF POLITICAL SAFEGUARDS FOR THE PROTECTION OF THE DEPRESSED CLASSES IN THE FUTURE CONSTITUTION OF A SELF-GOVERNING INDIA
† Appendix to Report of Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities)
(Submitted by Dr. Bhimrao R. Ambedkar and Rao Bahadur R. Srinivasan)
The following are the terms and conditions on which the Depressed Classes will consent to place themselves under a majority rule in a self-governing India :
Condition No. I
E QUAL C ITIZENSHIP
The Depressed Classes cannot consent to subject themselves to majority rule in their present state of hereditary bondsmen. Before majority rule is established their emancipation from the system of untouchability must be an accomplished fact. It must not be left to the will of the majority. The Depressed Classes must be made free citizens entitled to all the rights of citizenship in common with other citizens of the State.
(A) To secure the abolition of untouchability and to create the equality of citizenship, it is proposed that the following fundamental right shall be made part of the constitution of India :
Fundamental Right
“All subjects of the State in India are equal below the law and possess U.S.A. Constitution equal civic rights. Any existing enactment, regulation, Amendment XIV order, custom or interpretation of law by which any and Government of penalty, disadvantage, disability is imposed upon or any Ireland Act, 1920, 10 discrimination is made against any subject of the State & 11, Geo. V, Ch. 67, on account of untouchability shall, as from the day on sec. 5 (2). which this Constitution comes into operation, cease to have any effect in India.”
(B) To abolish the immunities and exemptions now enjoyed by executive
This is so in all officers by virtue of sections 110 and 111 of the Government Constitutions, of India Act, 1919 and their liability for executive action see Prof. Keith’s be made co-extensive with what it is in the case of a remarks in Cmd.
207, p. 56. European British Subject.
Condition No. II
F REE E NJOYMENT OF E QUAL R IGHTS
It is no use for the Depressed Classes to have a declaration of equal
rights. There can be no doubt that the Depressed Classes will have to
face the whole force of orthodox society, if they try to exercise the equal
rights of citizenship. The Depressed Classes therefore feel that if these
† Proceedings of the Sub-Committee No. III (Minorities), pp. 168-76.