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DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
system of proportional representation. This new body shall be in number about 1/10th of the number of the electoral college.
Indian States shall be invited to appoint representatives in the same proportion to their total population as in the case of representatives of British India as a whole and with the same powers as British Indian Members.
( e ) During the critical period which now faces India and until the New Constitution can be framed, His Majesty’s Government must inevitably bear the responsibility for and retain the control and direction of the defence of India as part of their world war effort, but the task of organising to the full the military, moral and material resources of India must be the responsibility of the Government of India with the co-operation of the peoples of India. His Majesty’s Government desire and invite the immediate and effective participation of the leaders of the principal sections of the Indian people in the counsels of their country, of the Commonwealth and of the united nations. Thus they will be enabled to give their active and constructive help in the discharge of a task which is vital and essential for the future freedom of India.
A PPENDIX IX
OBJECTIONS TO CRIPPS PROPOSALS
Statement by B. R. Ambedkar showing how the Gripps Proposals would affect the Untouchables
The War Cabinet proposals show a sudden Volte Face on the part of His Majesty’s Government. The putting forth of these proposals, which were denounced by them as an invasion of minority rights, is an indication of their complete surrender of right to win might. This is Munich mentality, the essence of which is to save oneself by sacrificing others, and it is this mentality which is writ large on these proposals. It is reported that the American and English people are annoyed at Indians not welcoming the proposals of His Majesty’s Government relating to the constitutional advancement of India and thereby allowing the mission of Sir Stafford Cripps to fail. One can forgive the Americans for their attititude, but surely the English people and Sir Stafford Cripps ought to know better, It does not seem to have been sufficienty realised that the