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DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
conferences have won high regard for their statesmanlike attitude. Sympathy for India’s aspirations and progress towards prosperity was never greater or more widespread. We have thus great assets if we can use them wisely. But it will not be easy, it will not be quick ; there is very much to do, there are many pitfalls and dangers. There is on all sides something to forgive and forget.
I believe in the future of India, and as far as in me lies will further her greatness. I ask you all for your co-operation and goodwill.
( iii ) Mr. Gandhi’s Statement.
As soon as I read the broadcast, I sent a wire to His Excellency the Viceroy drawing his attention to the fact that I have no locus standi as the “recognized representative of the Congress.” That function belongs to the President of the Congress or whoever is appointed to represent the Congress on a particular occasion.
For several years, I have acted unofficially as an adviser to the Congress whenever required. The public will remember that I went with the same unrepresentative character for my talks with the Qaid-e-Azam Jinnah, and I can take up no other position with the British Government, in this instance represented by the Viceroy.
There is one aspect of the Viceregal broadcast which certainly offends my ear and, I hope, will offend that of every politicallyminded Hindu. I refer to the expression “caste Hindus.” I claim that there is no such person, speaking politically, as a “Caste Hindu,” let alone the Congress which seeks to represent the whole of India which is yearning after political independence. Does Veer Savarkar or Dr. Syama Prasad Mookerjee of the Hindu Mahasabha represent caste Hindus ? Do they not represent all Hindus without distinction of caste ? Do they not include the so-called untouchables ? Do they themselves claim to be caste Hindus ? I hope not. Of all politicallyminded Hindus, I know that even the revered Pandit Malaviyaji, though he observes caste distinction, will refuse to be called a caste Hindu, as distinguished from the other Hindus. Modern tendency in Hinduism is to abolish all caste distinctions and this I maintain in spite of my knowledge of reactionary elements in Hindu society. I can only hope, therefore, that the Viceroy has allowed himself to make use of the expression in utter ignorance. I want to acquit him of knowingly wounding the susceptibilities of the Hindu society or dividing it. I would not have dwelt on this matter but for the fact that it touches the political mind of Hindus in its sensitive spot and carries with it political repercussions.
The proposed conference can do much useful work if it is put in its proper political setting and is at the very outset rendered immune from any fissiparous tendency. Undoubtedly all invitees might