838 DR. BABASAHEB AMBEDKAR : WRITINGS AND SPEECHES
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*** Recent Racial and Religious Distinction** set up by Labour Department about Allotment of Quarters
Mr. President (The Honourable Sir Abdur Rahim) : The next notice of an adjournment motion is from Sir Syed Raza Ali to censure the Government of India for the racial and religious distinction recently set up by the Labour Department in the allotment of houses in favour of Europeans, Anglo-Indians and Indian Christians by issuing Memorandum No. WII-4/114, dated 25th Januray, 1945.
I should like to know from the Member in charge what exactly the position is.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar (Labour Member): Sir, I have looked into the Memorandum and I am told that instead of the word “Indian” the word “Indian Christians” crept it. through inadvertance. It will be corrected so that there will be no discrimination involved at all.
Sir Syed Raza Ali (Cities of the United Provinces : Muhammadan Urban): I think the best thing would be for the Honourable Member to make a statement in this House and have the whole thing placed on record.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : I have corrected the Office Memorandum and it will be issued in the altered form.
Sir Syed Raza Ali : But the House would like to know something as to what is being talked about. What is the meaning of the Memorandum as it stands and what is the correction that my Honourable friend has made and what will be the effect of the correction.
The Honourable Dr. B. R. Ambedkar : The Memorandum that was originally issued read as follows :
“This Department has had under consideration the question of the abolition of the distinction between ‘Orthodox’ and ‘Unorthodox’ types of quarters available in Delhi, New Delhi and Simla for
- Legislative Assembly Debates (Central), Vol. I of 1945, 10th February 1945, p. 206.