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86 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
(b) If the reply to part (a) be in the negative, can a statement of Government’s policy in this regard be made giving reasons why it has not been considered proper to take such action ?
(c) Is His Excellency the Commander-in-Chief prepared to take up this matter with His Majesty’s Government ?
(d) Are Government aware that in the University Corps and in the Bombay Scout Movement, and in the Police Forces of the country, there is no separation by caste or creed ?
Mr. C. M. G. Ogilvie :
(a) No.
(b) Government regard it as a fundamental principle of organization that Military Sub-Units, such as companies and squadrons, must be homogeneous.
(c) No, for the reason just mentioned.
(d) Yes.
Mr. S. Satyamurti : May I know the meaning which Government attach to the word “homogeneous” ? Does it mean from the same province or the same community ?
Mr. C.M.G. Ogilvie : It means that they must belong to the same class of persons.
Mr. S. Satyamurti : May I ask for some elucidation of this point ? Do they make distinction between one class and another ?
Mr. C.M.G. Ogilvie : Certainly.
Mr. S. Satyamurti : On what basis ? Is it religious class or racial class or provincial class ?
Mr. C. M. G. Ogilvie : Neither. It is largely racial class.
Mr. S. Satyamurti : Which races are preferred and which are not preferred ?
Mr. C.M.G. Ogilvie : I refer the Honourable Member to the Army List.
Recruitment to the Indian Army.*
*Legislative Assembly Debates, 1938, Vol. VI, page 2754.