z:\ ambedkar\vol-02\vol2-09.indd MK SJ+DK 21-9-2013 707
EVIDENCE : MRS. P. K. SEN AND MRS. L. MUKERJI 707
I do not know ; I seek for information upon the point.
C622. Chairman : I think we had better use this afternoon in getting information out of the witnesses. Will you return to the point ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : It would not be at least a separate women’s electorate.
C623. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : If left to you, you might give them all the six, or more than that ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : Quite.
C624. Dr. B. R Ambedkar : I mean, in view of the fear that there may be none ?
Mrs. P. K. Sen : Yes.
(12)
Discussion in Joint Committee on Poona Pact
*Sir N. N. Sircar : May I make a short statement which probably will shorten matters ? I claim the right to put questions, if the Committee will allow it on the Communal decision, but, as a matter of fact, I do not intend to put in any questions relating to the dispute between the Hindus and Muslims, because that does not depend upon any facts that are going to be proved by any witnesses ; but I do want to ask the witnesses to give Your Lordships the facts relating to the Poona Pact. There are two more observations I may be permitted to make as regards Sir Annepu Patro’s statement as to its being mixed up, and so on, that the decision itself makes it quite clear that the result of one Province is not connected with the result in any other Province. The decision itself says that any change can be made in one Province as distinct from any other Province. As regards my friend, Mr. Zafrulla Khan’s statement, I only venture to submit this : At the Round Table Conference we were trying to find out what was the greatest measure of agreement. It was open to us to say : Unless I get 100 per cent. seats for Hindus, I will not take any further part. It is no good taking up that attitude. I beg of the Committee to enter into the merits of the question.
Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : May I say just a word ? I am glad that this wrangle if I may use that expression, on this side is going to be confined only to the Poona Pact, and that Sir Nripendra Sircar does not propose to reopen the question of the distribution of seats between Hindus and Muslims but might I say that the sentiments expressed by Chaudhari Zafrulla Khan with regard to the attitude of the Muslims were exactly the sentiments that I have been expressing from the very beginning when I commenced to take part in the Round Table Conference, and that I, too, consented to join in the deliberations on the understanding that the Poona Pact was an accepted proposition. I do not object, of course, to Sir Nripendra Sircar putting the facts before the Committee, because I know I will also get an opportunity to rectify any errors ; but so far as my own position is
*Minutes of Evidence, Vol. II-C, 31st July 1933, p. 1356-61.