z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-09.indd MK SJ+DK 21-9-2013 687
EVIDENCE : SIR MICHAEL O’DWYER 687
transfer Law and Order, and not make any change at the centre. Would you give us any idea of the interval you would like to elapse before Law and Order is transferred ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : I would leave it. Let communal antagonism die down. When Ministers who have been given extended powers have used those powers in the Departments of Land Revenue, Irrigation, and others, and have shown that they are capable of being entrusted with further powers, and when the anti-British agitations which exist and terrorist gangs which exist in certain provinces have been got under, and when conditions are otherwise favourable, then I would favour a transfer of Law and Order.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : You were asked whether there was any section of the Indian public which would be favourable to the sort of scheme which you propose. You said : Yes, there would be some sections in India which would accept that ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : Yes.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I want to put this to you : Make the other assumption which is being put to you that there is no section in India which will accept that. I ask you to make that assumption ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : Yes.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Then tell us what would be your next move, supposing you found that there was no section in India which was prepared to accept your proposal ; what would be the advice that you would tender to Parliament in that case ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : I would go ahead on the lines I thought most suitable for the benefit of the people of India.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Your position is do what you think best and leave the Indians to accept or not accept ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : Yes ; trusting in time that they will see that the restrictions imposed,…………
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : For the sake of argument make that assumption that ultimately, after sufficient waiting, you found no Indian section to accept your scheme, what would be the advice you would then tender to Parliament ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : The advice I would tender to Parliament would be to go ahead with the scheme which you consider feasible and workable in the hope that the people in time will realise that your position is a natural one and will come round to accept a reasonable view.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I am sorry you are not following my question. My question is a very specific question ?
Sir Michael O’dwyer : I might abbreviate it in this way. I do not think people will maintain an unreasonable attitude for an indefinite period of time.
- Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Supposing they thought the White Paper Scheme, or your scheme, was so bad that they would not touch it ?