362 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
“I propose to send this correspondence to the press, but I shall wait for any further word from you till the end of this month.”
Mr. Gandhi replied to the above on 5th October 1938:
“Dear friend, “I am working under great difficulty. Even this I am writing in the train taking me to Peshawar.
“Of course you will publish the correspondence between us whenever you think it necessary.
“Your last letter shows that you are in the wrong. I am not partial to Rajaji. But I know that he is as firm on untouchability as I am myself. I must, therefore, trust his judgment as to how to do the thing. From this distance, I can’t judge his action. Do you not see that the whole of the movement is one of conversion of the Sanatani heart ? You cannot force the pace except to the extent that reforms immolate themselves. This process is going on vigorously.
“This temple entry question is a mighty-religious reform. I would like you to apply your religious mind to it, If you will, you will give your whole hearted support to Rajaji and make his move a thorough success.”
The Untouchables of U.P. have also expressed their hostility to the Poona Pact. In a Memorandum submitted to Col. Muirhead the Under Secretary of State in India they said: ( Memorandum not typed in the MS.— Ed.)
All over India the Untouchables have realized that the Poona Pact has been a trap and the change of the British Government’s Communal Award by Gandhi’s Poona Pact is a change which in reality a change from freedom to bondage.
The Poona Pact was signed on the 24th September 1932. On the 25th September 1932 a public meeting of the Hindus was held in Bombay to accord to it their support. At that meeting the following resolution was passed:
“This Conference confirms the Poona agreement arrived at between the leaders of the Caste Hindus and Depressed Classes on September 24, 1932, and trusts that the British Government will withdraw its decision creating separate electorates within the Hindu community and accept the agreement in full. The Conference urges that immediate action be taken by Government so as to enable Mahatma Gandhi to break his fast within the terms of his vow and before it becomes too late. The Conference appeals to the leaders of the communities concerned to realize the implications of the agreement and of this resolution and to make earnest endeavour to fulfil them.