518 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
The controversy on the question whether the Scheduled Castes constitute a minority for the purpose of separate political representation or whether they should be classed with the Hindus has of course a long history. Gandhi has spent a large part of his life in propagating the latter view. But when I said, in paragraph 4 of my minute of September 3rd, that Congress did not regard the Scheduled Castes as a minority for the purpose of separate political representation, I had particularly in mind the passage in Azad’s letter to the Viceroy of June 25th* (someweeks after our Statement of May 16th) to which Dr. Ambedkar has referred in both his letters@ to you. In this Azad said that Congress “repudiated the view that the Scheduled Castes are a minority and considered them as integral parts of Hindu society” (second paragraph on page 23 of Cmd. 6861). This statement had reference to the Viceroy’s assurance to Mr. Jinnah# that he would consult the main parties before filling any vacancy among the seats in the Interim Government allotted to representatives of minorities. It was not altogether unnatural that Congress should regard the Scheduled Castes as their own responsibility and object to the Muslim League having a say in the appointment of a Scheduled Caste representative.
There is no positive reason to think that Congress will not wish to include in the Advisory Committee Scheduled Caste representatives in adequate numbers. They will be concerned to escape criticism both in India and abroad; and they are most anxious to win over to their own ranks, or at least to conciliate, as large a proportion as possible of the Scheduled Castes, if only to prevent them from allying themselves with the Muslim League. The Committee is to deal with the rights of citizens as well as with those of minorities, so that inclusion of Scheduled Caste representatives need not prejudice the question whether they arc or are not a minority. On the other hand, there is no guarantee that Dr. Ambedkar or any other member of the Scheduled Castes who opposes Congress will secure a place on the Committee.
I still feel that we should not volunteer a pronouncement in response to Dr. Ambedkar’s request for a public declaration that the Scheduled Castes are a minority within the meaning of paragraph 20 of
- Vo. VII, No. 603. (Transfer of Power).
@ See footnotes to No. 105 and No. 142. (Transfer of Power).