CHAPTER III
TH E POLITICAL DEMANDS OF THE UNTOUCHABLES
T HE problem of the Untouchables is an enormous problem. As a matter of fact I have been for some time engaged on a work dealing with this problem which will run into several hundred pages. All that I can do within the limits of this paper is to set out in a brief compass what the nature of the problem is and the solution which the Untouchables have themselves propounded. It seems to me that I cannot do better than begin by drawing attention to the following Resolutions which were passed at the All-India Scheduled Castes* Conference held in the city of Nagpur on the 18th and 19th July 1942 : Resolution No. II
CONSENT ESSENTIAL TO CONSTITUTION
“This Conference declares that no constitution will be acceptable to the Scheduled Castes unless,
(i) it has the consent of the Scheduled Castes,
(ii) it recognises the fact that the Scheduled Castes are distinct and separate from the Hindus and constitute an important element in the national life of India, and
(iii) contains within itself provisions which will give to the Scheduled Castes a real sense of security under the new constitution and which are set out in the following resolutions.”
*Under the Government of India Act of 1935 the Untouchables are designated as ‘Scheduled Castes’.