z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-09.indd MK SJ+DK 21-9-2013 705
EVIDENCE : MRS. P. K. SEN AND MRS. L. MUKERJI 705
Mrs. L. Mukerji : It is quite possible. I cannot answer that point until we see the result.
C592. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I appreciate that, but I just wanted to put the point to you ?
Mrs. L. Mukerji : I feel in a future time, when our women will be in a position to go into the professions, that the communal business might die out altogether. I anticipate that.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I hope so.
†C610. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : There is just one question I would like to ask you, Mrs. Sen. You have explained your views with regard to the representation of women in the Federal Lower House, and you have stated your objection to the provision made in the White Paper for indirect election ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : Yes.
C611. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I do not find anywhere your views as to the provisions made for the representation of women in the Provincial Legislatures, except, of course, that you have expressed generally that you would not like any provision which savours of communalism ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : Yes.
C612. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Have you anything to suggest on that ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : I did not quite follow the question.
C613. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : In the Provincial Legislatures several seats are provided which are to be filled by women ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : Yes.
C614. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : No detailed provisions are laid down in the White Paper as to how those seats are to be filled. It is Appendix III of the White Paper, on page 93, under “General”, Madras, out of 152, 6 women ; Muhammadan, 29, including one woman. This is all the provision that exists in the White Paper, so far ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : We would like to do away with all these communities, if you would give us six seats in each of the Provinces. That would be much better, and we should be able to fill these seats with the best women available.
C615. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : Have you any other method by which these six seats could be filled up ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : Yes ; capital city, for the Federal Assembly. I have already answered that question. It would be the same for the Provincial Assembly also. The capital city would be the constituent area ; it would be a small electorate. It would not mean so much expense, and women from all over the Provinces would be able to stand for the seats.
C616. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : You would have one capital city to return six women in Madras ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : No. They would have their separate constituencies
†Minutes of Evidence, Vol. II-C, 29th July 1933, p. 2355.